Cheers & Jeers

JEERS to Standard Time for creeping up on us this Halloween weekend and throwing off the schedules of our babies, pets and car radio clocks. Twice a year we complain to each other about sleep deprivation brought about by an outdated procedure that many claim was brought about by the agriculture sector wanting more sunlight hours. If they ever were, farmers are no longer on board with changing the clocks twice a year: cows and roosters also don't tell time by a wall clock. Saskatchewan never had Daylight Time; the Yukon has done away with Standard Time and Ontario has a private member's bill making its way through the legislature suggesting one time for the full 12 months if Quebec and New York follow suit. Perhaps in six months' time, the rest of Canada will be on the way to joining our better rested neighbours in the North.

CHEERS to the P.E.I. School Athletic Association. The PEISAA is in the midst of crowning provincial champions for its fall sports. It is believed P.E.I. is the only province in Canada to have school sports championships this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of hard work and dedication by a lot of individuals has gone into achieving this. Kudos to PEISAA school sport co-ordinator Phil Bridges, the commissioners of each sport, the athletic directors, volunteer coaches, players and parents for their efforts. Although this year’s championships have a different look and feel to them, the most important thing is the kids have a chance to continue playing and participating in sports. For that, we should all say thank you.

CHEERS to the Deng family in Charlottetown who were featured in a recent Guardian story about immigrating to the Island and opening a business that sells animal cruelty-free winter faux fur jackets. The family was almost more interested in talking to the reporter about their love of the Island than they were about the business itself. They came here on the provincial nominee program but are vowing to stay, hoping that Islanders will support them. We’re hoping that’s the case.

CHEERS to voters in District 10 Charlottetown-Winsloe who make the effort to cast a ballot in today's byelection. More than a third of eligible voters had already marked their X in advance polls and on mail-in ballots in the days preceding today's election day. It's good to see Islanders continuing the tradition of strong engagement in the political process. Cheers as well to all four candidates who took part in this small but important race — one that was markedly more civil than the much bigger contest running simultaneously south of the border.