Editorials - Feb. 14, 2025

Last Sunday, the Super Bowl generated a record $1.39 billion in legal betting, primarily in online forums. This is up from $1.25 billion last year, with more jurisdictions legalizing retail and online gambling. It’s hard to imagine that betting on one game could come with so many zeroes, when, not that long ago, bets were placed in dark corners with bookies. With the increase in online sites, it can be tough to tell which ones are legal and which ones are scams. Authorities were warning gamblers to do their homework ahead of the big game and know about a company before placing a bet with it.

 

Advertising on T.V. and online have normalized gambling, especially for young men, portraying it as a harmless form of entertainment, but for many people online betting sites are a gateway to a dark addiction. Lottery kiosks have begun to spring up locally, allowing you to buy a ticket without ever talking to a person. The anonymity offered by kiosks and websites often allow an addiction to spiral out of control before the gambler has to account for losses to family or friends.

 

Know your limit, play within it has never been a more-needed slogan. Is it really entertainment when every website has a page dedicated to resources to help with gambling addiction? – DS

Donald Trump is imposing across-the-board tariffs! No he’s not! Wait, then what about these steel and aluminum tariffs? What? He said there was a 30-day delay on tariffs! Well, read this: tariffs! Maybe?

 

With uncertainty and unpredictability in the air, Ontarians are going to the polls in just under two weeks and they’re telling their would-be leaders what concerns them... and it’s healthcare in this province. The results of a Nanos poll released over the weekend point to healthcare as the predominant issue in this month’s election. Just over 28 per cent of those asked said healthcare reigned supreme, followed closely by the economy at 21.5 per cent. Dealing with the war-mongering orange infant from the south was on the minds of 14.2 per cent of those polled. Sentiments can always change, but this should serve as a reminder to those hoping to lead this province for the next four years that, while there are concerns beyond our borders, there is still an Ontario to be governed with its own issues, full of people with their own concerns. (Premier Doug Ford calling an early election, leaving him hamstrung in his ability to manage the international relations issues of the day, could certainly use that reminder but that ship, as they say, has sailed.)

 

Meanwhile, there are ongoing developments with the election itself, as Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals continue to close the gap (though there is still plenty more gap to be closed) and some prognosticators have forecast historically low voter turnout for this election, continuing the downward trend of the 2022 election - a record-setting low itself. 

 

No Ontario government can control decisions made in the U.S., just how it reacts to them. However, there are many pressing issues over which the incoming government, whomever the victor, has absolute control and Ontarians are telling the candidates that those issues are paramount to them. A new government would be wise to listen. – SL 

Love stories are the heartbeat of every community. They unfold in quiet moments and grand gestures, in chance encounters and lifelong commitments. Whether whispered between two people or celebrated in front of family and friends, love has the power to shape lives and bring people together. It is woven into our most-cherished traditions and shared experiences, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.

 

A community newspaper is more than just headlines; it is a reflection of the lives of those within the community it serves. The engagements, weddings and anniversaries published in these pages over the years are reminders that love is not just a personal journey, but the foundation of a strong and vibrant community. These milestones tell a deeper story; one of resilience, devotion and the ties that bind generations together.

 

Even in an age of instant updates and fleeting digital posts, there is something enduring about seeing a wedding announcement in print. A newspaper clipping tucked into a family album, an anniversary notice displayed with pride - these tangible records become treasured keepsakes, passed down as part of a family’s history. The Citizen is committed to preserving these moments, ensuring that the love stories of this community are celebrated today and remembered for years to come.

 

Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in all its forms. Whether it’s a recent engagement, a golden anniversary, or a tribute to a love that has stood the test of time, this publication is honoured to share in your joy. Love is what connects us, what strengthens our community and what gives meaning to the stories we tell.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at The Citizen. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your treasured moments. May love continue to shape this community and inspire the stories yet to be told. – SBS