Candy Palmater has been called a squaw and a half breed; she’s been sidelined in the Roman Catholic church; and, she’s been told to give up: “people like you don’t do well at university,” she was told by a high school guidance counsellor.

She’s also fought the gender-equality battle — and won — in almost as many corners as she has years to her name.

On Wednesday morning (March 8), the 48-year-old comedian and inspirational speaker led 150 women through alternating tears and laughter to a realization that each was capable of overcoming great obstacles and of creating meaningful change.

And the prescription was as simple as it is complex: love yourself.

Develop a “love affair” with yourself, Palmater told the sold-out crowd at Peterborough’s inaugural International Women’s Day Conference.

“When you really develop that love for yourself — and it’s a hard road, you have to work at it — there’s this secret, and I wish women and girls would believe this: when you really love yourself, people can see what you feel.”

That form of self-confidence is exactly what the women gathered in the Ashburnham Reception Centre were eager to grow on International Women’s Day. Not because they want to advance their careers, or further their pay cheques, but because they want to feel independent, strong, equal, and solid. To them, that’s success.

Hosted by the Peterborough Women’s Business Network, the conference was geared to inspire, empower, and equip women to become just that.

As Palmater sat on a stool at the front of the room in a shiny royal blue dress, her presence was palpable, her humour edgy yet gentle and playful, and her message clear: if you don’t think of yourself as a miracle, a precious gift with something to offer, you should.

It is up to women of this generation, Palmater encouraged, to ensure there is no more servitude by women in the future, or in other parts of the world.

Palmater told her life story, beginning with her first five years as an adored child of a timid, loving white mother and a recovered alcoholic, mysoginistic aboriginal father. The impoverished family had retreated to a house in the woods where they sold Harley Davidsons.

Palmater’s first five years were idyllic, she says, but the fairy tale ended five years later, when she went to school.

“It was a constant struggle about fairness,” she said, from playing baseball (not softball) to serving mass with the altar boys. “To me, it was always about even-stevens, or fairsies. If I could play as well as most of the boys, why couldn’t I play?”

She won most of her battles, and eventually turned the heart of her dying father, who, in the end, was able to see how his daughter was helping the cause of all women, and how that was a good thing.

She entered law school, was valedictorian of her class, joined a corporate law firm, then abruptly left that job to become a comedian. And, she succeeded at that too. The Candy Show ran a successful five seasons on CBC Television.

“Look in the mirror, and look deep into your own eyes,” she told the women in the audience. “Only you know what your true passion is. Only you know that fire that burns inside and how hard you will work for it.

“I try every day of my life to move closer to be that person I was meant to be. I forgive myself when I make mistakes. The mistakes are meant to be.”

Palmater’s audience was captivated, some wiping tears amidst the smiles.

“I think I’m most struck by her passion for fairness,” said Peggy Pettifer-Jones, of Christian Horizons, who attended the conference with others from that organization. “And how we must stand up for fairness. That’s the important message.”

Barb Hinsberger-Fox of Agilec also attended with colleagues.

“I like the way she talked about fairsies and taking action,” she said. “Take action, don’t just complain and whine.”

After Palmater’s morning keynote, the International Women’s Day Conference continued for the remainder of the day, with three concurrent morning workshops, an afternoon keynote from career coach Sarah Vermunt, three more afternoon workshops, and a closing keynote from Peterborough performer Linda Kash.

Trent University in Peterborough is standing behind its Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory, following criticism from fast-food chain Subway and skepticism from some food scientists.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Marketplace news program contracted the lab to complete DNA analysis on chicken samples from various fast-food chains.

On chicken samples tested from Subway, the lab’s results showed significant amounts of soy DNA, in some cases more than 50 percent. Samples from other fast-food chains, including McDonald’s and Tim Hortons, did not show high levels of non-chicken DNA.

After the CBC February report went viral, with international headlines like “Subway sandwiches only contain 50% real chicken”, Subway’s president and CEO Suzanne Creco, issued a statement rejecting the findings.

“The stunningly flawed test by Marketplace is a tremendous disservice to our customers,” Greco said. “Our customers can have confidence in our food. The allegation that our chicken is only 50 per cent chicken is 100 per cent wrong.”

Subway has since released the results of two independent tests conducted at Maxxam Analytics in Ontario and Elisa Technologies, Inc. in Florida. The tests used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, a technique commonly used in the food industry to detect potential food allergens.

The Maxxam testing detected 5.3 parts per million of soy proteins in the chicken, under one percent, and the Elisa testing detected 3 parts per million of soy protein, also under one percent.

VIDEO: The chicken challenge: Testing your fast food – CBC Marketplace

Some food scientists have also expressed skepticism about the Marketplace results.

Ars Technica contacted Mary Ellen Camire, a professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine who is also the former president of the Institute of Food Technologists (a nonprofit scientific society of food scientists).

Camire questioned the CBC’s choice to use a DNA test from a lab not specializing in food science, saying that food scientists don’t typically use DNA analysis.

Ars Technica also contacted Joseph Marcy, the head of the food science and technology department at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Marcy told Ars Technica it is “ususual” to use DNA testing, adding “I just don’t have a lot of confidence in the way that the testing was done.”

In a news release issued today (March 7), Trent University defended the lab’s results, stating that the testing CBC contracted the lab to perform “is characteristic of many forensic DNA tests the laboratory is well-known for undertaking under contract for clients, law enforcement, courts and organizations internationally.”

“At Trent we are proud to champion independent research,” states Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor at Trent University. “Defending good science is one of the key roles of universities in society. We are proud of the work of our Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory, its faculty and staff. It is important to stand up for sound scientific findings, particularly when they are unpopular.”

“The Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory at Trent University has earned a prominent international reputation for its outstanding work in the field of DNA forensics,” adds Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president of Research and Innovation at Trent. “The University stands by the quality of the DNA Laboratory, its professors, scientists and technicians who do important work and contribute to the advancement of DNA testing techniques. This includes expertise in meat identification and involvement with over 750 forensic cases.”

According to Trent University, the DNA Lab — which is part of the Natural Resources DNA Profiling & Forensic Centre — has contributed to many well-known tests and cases, many of which have made media headlines.

Registration is now open for Peterborough’s 17th annual Dragon Boat Festival, a day of competitive dragon boat racing between community teams and breast cancer survivor teams, which takes place on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough.

Proceeds of the popular fundraising event will continue to support state-of-the-art breast cancer screening and diagnosis at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), including supporting the purchase of a new mammography machine at PRHC’s Breast Assessment Centre.

As at last year’s event, this year’s festival will again focus on “dragon bragging” rights — not only seeing who comes out on top when battling out on the water, but also who can raise the most for breast cancer care in our community.

According to Festival Co-Chair Michelle Thornton, the organizing committee is bringing back “The Dragon’s Lair” this year.

The Dragon’s Lair is a luxury tent where the top fundraising team is treated to a prime festival location, comfy furniture to relax on between races, catered breakfast and lunch, their own team masseuses, swag, and more.

Thornton says it was a huge success at last year’s festival, spurring competition in the week leading up to the fundraising deadline, and it’s going to be even better for 2017.

“We’re keeping the details a surprise, but here’s a hint: this year’s top fundraising team will even have their own dedicated butler!”

Thornton says this year’s festival will also increase engagement on its social media channels @ptbodragonboat on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in the weeks leading up to the festival.

“By joining our private Facebook group, teams and participants will be able to take part in weekly challenges, get fitness and fundraising tips, access exclusive training and conditioning videos, and have a chance to win exclusive Dragon Boat prizes.”

Also returning for 2017 is the Junior Division, where participants between the ages of 14 and 18 can once again enter a team. Perfect for school, social, and athletic clubs, the Junior Division has a special registration rate of $500 per team.

Registration is now open at www.ptbodragonboat.ca. An early bird reduced registration rate is available until Tuesday, March 21st, with regular registration continuing until Sunday, May 7th.

As with last year’s festival, all proceeds from the 2017 festival will go to the PRHC Foundation to support the purchase of a new full-field digital mammography machine at PRHC, one of three that must be purchased over the next three years at a total investment of $1.9 million.

“Besides its ability to generate breast images of the highest possible quality, which in turn empowers PRHC’s radiologists to make the most precise observations, this investment is also going to allow the hospital to take advantage of the latest technological advances in mammography,” says Lesley Heighway, President and CEO of PRHC Foundation.

Kawartha Credit Union also returns in 2017 as the Festival’s top sponsor — their 16th year of doing so.

“Kawartha Credit Union’s Community Involvement Program actively supports initiatives that make a positive difference in the communities we serve,” says Rob Wellstood, CEO of Kawartha Credit Union. “The Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival is one such cause. For the 16th consecutive year we are proud to participate as the Platinum Sponsor in this exceptional event that unites our community in common purpose and spirit.”

Last year’s Dragon Boat Festival raised $196,468.50 for the PRHC Foundation, surpassing the previous year’s goal by 20 percent. In 16 years, the festival has raised almost $3 million for breast cancer screening and care in the community.

“Experts predict that one in nine Canadian women will develop breast cancer in their lifetimes and we know firsthand that early detection is critical,” says Leah Carroll, president of Survivors Abreast, the competitive Peterborough-based Dragon Boat team made up of breast cancer survivors that hosts the festival.

“As a community we cannot afford to let the standard of care that we’ve helped establish slip. That’s why we’re very proud to support our hospital as they continue to look for better, faster and more innovative ways to save lives by identifying this disease early on.

With fatal snowmobile incidents now more than double the number this time last season, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are dismayed to see the same behaviours drive the numbers up at an alarming rate.

Fatal snowmobile incidents and resulting deaths now sit at 20 for the 2017 season, compared to eight such incidents and 11 deaths this time last year.

Seventeen males and three females, including a 16-year-old and an 11-year-old girl, have been killed to date. According to OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, the prominent demographics among the deceased may come as a surprise to some and are telling in terms of the attitudes and behaviours among some Ontario snowmobilers.

“Men in their fifties and sixties make up the majority of this season’s snowmobile deaths, with 15 of the 20 deceased within these age groups,” Blair says. “What snowmobilers and their families need to take away from this is that even those with considerable driving experience — be it on a snowmobile or in a road vehicle — are equally vulnerable to the inherent risks associated with this popular, yet high-risk recreational sport.”

Thirteen of the deaths have occurred within the past six weeks. The causes and contributing factors clearly reflect snowmobilers’ ongoing disregard for their own safety and that of their fellow riders and passengers:

• Twelve of the deceased either collided with a tree, a rock, a snowbank, a road vehicle or another snowmobile.
• Speeding excessively, too fast for the conditions and/or losing control of their snowmobiles were actions in nine of the incidents.
• Four of the snowmobilers were travelling on frozen waterways. Three of them encountered open water and the fourth fell through the ice. Sadly, in one of those incidents, a young passenger died.
• Driver inattention was the primary cause of four fatalities.
• A lone snowmobiler died of hypothermia after her snowmobile became stuck in the snow — a harsh reminder of what can happen when you do not pack an emergency kit for each ride.

“A snowmobiler impacting another vehicle or a tree isn’t an ‘accident’,” says Paul Shaughnessy, Executive Director of the OFSC. “It’s a preventable incident, often the result of excessive speed and operator inattention. Some snowmobilers do not appreciate that they are operating a motor vehicle, machines that are capable of reaching significant speeds. They need to drive with due care and control.”

The OPP is urging snowmobilers to stay off lakes and rivers, the conditions of which are deteriorating rapidly in many parts of the province.

Family members are also encouraged to help their loved ones make smart decisions before they head out, to help ensure a safe return home from their ride.

The OPP and OFSC are reminding snowmobilers to check for trail status and conditions at www.ofsc.on.ca before each ride.

A 22-year-old man is facing several charges including assault with a knife and uttering death threats following an incident over the weekend at a home in downtown Peterborough.

At around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night (March 4), police responded to a 911 call that the man had threatened the victim, a woman in her twenties, with a knife and had barricaded himself in a Rubidge Street home.

After the Peterborough Police Service’s Emergency Response Team and uniformed officers arrived, the victim left the home but the accused remained barricaded in the home.

Police cordoned off several blocks around the home at Rubidge and Sherbrooke Streets and asked people to stay out of the area. Peterborough police called in the Durham Regional Police Service to assist with the situation.

At around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning (March 5), police entered the home and arrested the man without further incident.

Police have charged the accused man with assault with a weapon (knife), uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (knife), and five counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

He is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court later today (March 6).

Police are not releasing the name of the accused man to protect the identity of the victim. The accused man does not live at the home and his relationship with the victim is unknown.

Inspire. Empower. Act.

On Wednesday, March 8th, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) hosts the city’s first International Women’s Day conference, featuring a full day of workshops and speakers designed to bring women of all walks of life together to dream, learn and plan.

Whether it’s a lifelong passion or an inkling of an idea, whether it’s a desire to connect or a need to be independent, the conference promises to ignite or re-ignite passion, uncover strength and confidence, and shape achievable plans.

While the history of International Women’s Day is firmly rooted in the last century — the first IWD was observed in 1914 — the spirit of this conference is to create new opportunities for the future.

And judging from the response to the conference (it’s now completely sold out), Peterborough-area women are embracing that spirit.

For the woman whose notion it was to create this event in Peterborough, the day is full of hope.

“I want people to leave feeling like this was the best day they’d ever spent doing something,” says Louise Racine. “I want it to be significant. I want it to be inspiring and I want people to be motivated to make changes and build community.”

Racine, whose job as the owner of Thirteen Moons Wellness includes providing opportunities for women to reflect, recharge, and regroup, says the idea came to her as she travelled back from a similar conference in Guelph last year.

“I thought, ‘Why did I have to drive six hours to go to a conference? Why does Peterborough not have this? I sat with it, and it kind of bugged me, until eventually I took the idea to the Women’s Business Network. I knew I would need that kind of support to pull this off.”

The WBN climbed aboard Racine’s train, and the engines fired up. The train is pulling into the station at 7:30 a.m. on March 8th, when the conference opens it doors at the Ashburnham Reception Centre on Armour Road.

Unlike similar events that feature a single speaker, Monday’s event features three keynotes, each with a unique brand of humour and a passionate message.

Feminist comedian Candy Palmater headlines the day with a message promising to reveal some of the secrets to finding that spark within and allowing it to burn.

Career expert Sarah Vermunt offers a trove of tools to help tend that newfound passion.

And, to cap off the day, Peterborough’s own veteran actor and improv performer Linda Kash drives it home by magically taking away some of the barriers that prevent inspired and empowered people from taking action.

Between the keynotes, there are two banks of workshops from which to choose — three in the morning, three in the afternoon; participants have the opportunity to attend one in each bank.

On top of all this, breakfast and lunch are included. And Racine says there are a few surprises that are being kept under wraps until the big event.

And there’s been a bit of a surprise in terms of who will attend the event. Racine says participants are come from Ottawa, Toronto and beyond. From within the Kawarthas, attendees come from all walks of life — from students in high school, to community activists, professionals, entrepreneurs, and new moms. There’s even at least one man attending the event.

The new community that will be created on Wednesday is part of Racine’s dream.

“I hear a lot of women who dream and say they have big beautiful ideas, but this is about being driven to do something with those ideas,” she says.

“My thing is act. I hope that the conference inspires actions. I want 150 women to leave there with a notebook of things they’re committed to doing for themselves, or their families, or their communities.”