6:00am – oof, early but they made us breakfast burritos!
Yes! Our first stop is to meet with Brian and Donna Findlay of the West Ben
Community Arts Festival. We pull up to site in Campbellford and there is this
GORGEOUS barn structure. Donna meets up at 8am with a smile and gives us a
little rundown of the coming schedule. We learn that they host artists like
Oliver Jones and then they next night might be the high school stage band, then
the community chorus, then an opera singer from Europe.
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| Early morning stroll to the Campbellford Barn |
As we’re crossing a very dewy lawn, a melody of a piano
concerto meets us. Brian is inside playing and the sounds of the piano, coupled
with the setting of the barn in the middle of the countryside is amazing.
Inside the barn is made of gorgeous wood and there are theatre seats that have
been collected from different theatres that they have repurposed for their
facility. The décor is made from different community members – scarecrows from
the kids in the area are adorning the walls at the moment. They tell us their
story – former professional world-travelled musicians who fell in love and
returned to the Campbellford area and built this barn to foster a very thriving
arts community. It really shows that community is defined in so many different
ways, it doesn’t have to be geographical or by sector. Common values and
interests count too! We are then invited to take the stage for a photo. This
was definitely my favourite stop along the way.
After Campbellford it was off to Canadian Forces Base
Trenton (which is where our MLO is stationed) to visit the new LEED buildings.
We go through one of the buildings -
everything is LEED gold. It was nice to see that we aren’t cheaping out on the
military buildings. Next up was the air traffic tower where we watched planes
take off. We met with a group of troops – swap stories, take a photo and head
back on the bus. By this point we’re hungry and grateful that we’re going to
lunch at the Huff Estates Winery in Picton.
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| With the troops at CFB Trenton |
Upon arriving at the winery we are taken into the wine
cellar with tastes of their Rose wine. It’s bright and summery – and learn that
Prince Edward County is sitting on very good growing soil. They grow many
grapes and fruits and make their wine from them. After the short tour we are
taken into the lunchroom where we are met by the mayor of Prince Edward County.
He tells us about the growing wine economy but also how there is a push for a
rural innovation economy. There are many tech and virtual starts ups that are
popping up in the area and Prince Edward County is a great example of a
community trying to diversify their industry. Let’s talk about the delicious
lunch that is made from food grown in the area – we are given a plate of fresh
salad (complete with peas picked that morning), an antipasti bruschetta
(olives, prosciutto, cheese) and pickled vegetables. Then it’s finished off
with a fresh strawberry parfait – everyone is happy and we’re back on the bus.
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| Inside the best dessert at the Huff Estate Winery |
We have a 2 hour ride to Chaffey’s Locks in Elgin. We are really
tired and make time for a quick debrief and then nap time. The Rideau Canal is famous for being
Canada’s longest ice skating rink but it’s more than that; it's a UNESCO Heritage site. It’s something that
has stayed the same for over a century. It’s really hot out and we pull up to a
picnic table and start what will be one of many many conversations around
farming. Our conversation is interrupted when we are met by members of the
Kingston and District Labour Council. FINALLY – labour people!! It’s time to start our conversation about the
locks. The Parks workers tell us about their roles – they both have deep roots
in the area and the government is going to make big cuts to this UNESCO site.
They are passionate about the area and the locks and voice concern of how the surrounding communities will be affected. It’s time to take a ride to
meet with a long time PSAC worker on the locks. We get onto the boat (of a
retired USW) and head down the canal. We start the discussion about how we can
keep the locks. With all of the government cuts coming are the locks that
important? Should we partner with the private sector? It’s tough.
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| Locks at Port Elgin |
It’s a beautiful night and the view is awesome. The 1000
Islands are very Ontario – we see the water, the cottages and this is something
we just don’t do in BC. This gives us all a chance to relax. Once we get to the
cottage, it’s amazing. And I finally have the chance to nerd out union styles.
The brothers and sisters from the Kingston and District Labour Council are
gracious, friendly, from all different unions. Finally, a chance to talk
grievances, bargaining, arbitrations in the details that only labour can. Oh
and there was a massive delicious cheese ball. Then we get our BBQ on and there
is no shortage of food – we’re treated to steak, salmon, salads, beer, wine,
booze, fruit…After dinner we get into a lively discussion about one of the new
campaigns OPSEU has started – it begins to feel like a real labour council
meeting. O2 gets to see labour activists in action – that we’re all concerned
citizens that want to make things better. I get to inform them that labour
unions are more than left wing nut jobs – we lobby and campaign for issues that
are near and dear to all working people. I think that evening gave our group a
better understanding of labour and the role it plays in society.
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| In the Thousand Islands - cottage country |
Then it was onto our accommodation at the Hotel Kenney in
Jones Falls. We immediately check into our cabin like rooms (this time we’re
sharing) and it’s lights out.
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