$10M FOR TRANSIT
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LEGION'S 100TH PAGE
STRATFORD VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 48
12 FREE
JULY 17, 2026
A Passion for People
Hear better. Age better. Live Better. Call today! Lucas Dasilva Hearing Instrument Specialist, Reg’d AHIP Clinic Co-Owner
SHERRIE ROULSTON
Real Estate Broker email: sherrieroulston@royallepage.ca Direct: 519-272-3578
Stratford’s only local and independent provider
Shelly Gansevles Office Administrator, Clinic Co-Owner
519.271.HEAR (4327) communityhearingcare.ca 370 Ontario St, Stratford, ON N5A 3H9
Want to be part of new GTR community hub? CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A new review panel with members from the Stratford Public Library, the YMCA of Three Rivers and the City of Stratford will soon be meeting to review organizations wishing to be part of the Grand Trunk renewal (GTR) project’s planned community hub. Earlier this year, council approved a $15 million commitment to a shared community facility on the grounds of the GTR site. Through partnerships with the Y (committing between $10-15 million) and library (committing between $4-5 million), the project is meant to be a shared space – though the scope and design of the community hub are still yet to be developed, leaving room for other organizations to partner with the city. Stratford city council approved the review panel and the framework around the community’s participation at its July 13 council meeting. Emily Robson, corporate initiatives lead with the city, told council the review panel is meant to be a fair way to bring on more players that could benefit from the project and contribute to its completion. “It's really just about understanding where and how we can engage with organizations across the community,” Robson said. “…The role of the review panel is to look at the submissions that come through this process, apply the criteria … to the submissions, and CONTINUED TO PAGE 3
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
A large crowd of cyclists gathered on Sunday, July 12 in Linwood to honour the late Steve Baechler in “Stevie B’s 2nd Annual Ride for Hospice.” The cyclists headed west from the Linwood Recreation Centre for about five to 60 kilometres (whichever they chose), raising money for Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.
Public meeting on zone change turns to debate on homelessness, youth mental health CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On July 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Market Square, protesters gathered by a tent covered in signs reading “THIS IS NOT SHELTER.” As a collective, they were doggedly asking for Stratford city council to do more for the city’s unhoused. “I've been having issues with my housing,” said youth protester Melanie Woods, holding a sign that demanded safe, affordable, dignified lodging. “It's been really dif-
ficult for me. You know, not having proper housing has been pretty terrible for me. It's done terrible things to my life, and I'm just angry about a lot of it. “There's nothing I can do that's going to take back anything that's happened to me, but I think there are solutions that can make sure it doesn't have to happen to anyone else. So that's what I'm fighting for. That's what I that's what I want. I want no one to have to go through what I did. And unfortunately, there are people going through it right now, but they don't have to.” CONTINUED TO PAGE 2