Hot Tubbin' For....GGCLC: Campbellford, CFB Trenton, Picton, Elgin, Jones Falls

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.