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The announcement of a new consolidated courthouse ta be build in Oshawa last week, is without doubt great news for this area. The spin-off effects will ripple throughout Durham. This will be the catalyst needed ta give new birth to downtown Oshawa, it will signal to business that there is a future in locating and staying in the downtown core of the city. Construction of the project will create over 2,000O jobs, mostly for people who have had a 60 per cent unemployment rate for several years. The huge crowd gathered for the announcement at the old Regent Theatre were not. what you would call rank and file NDP types. But-surprise-they al gave Premier Bob Rae a three minute standing ovation! I watched themn all pay tribute to Bob, the Tories and Liberal one and alI, I found this pretence ta be a striking difference ta what some of them say about the NDP Government when in other places. Some political critics say the announcement was nothing more than an election ploy. I can recaîl meeting with the Mayor of Oshawa and the Attorney General of the day back in early 1992 when this same proposal was put forward. Large courthouse facilities are not built every day, it takes years ta put them in place, as was the case with the Oshawa Courthoiise. To suggest that this came togeth er because of an impending provincial election is ta be cynical of the process. The fact that it has came together now is because a lot of people al worked together, many of whom have na affiliation whatsoevcr with the NDP. The announcement wasn't without smiles. One women asked by a CHEX reporter for a comment on the new courthouse said shce didn't know anything about it or what it was for, but she did know it was a waste of moncy! Another mnan, when asked the same question said he saw the courthouse as bringing more criminals ta downtown Oshawa! Rhetoric from '"Queen's Park Want-to-be's" lately has centred upon just how bad the economy of Ontario has gotten due to those nasty NDP MPPs. And how terrible Bill 40 is, and how that is also preventing investment in Ontario too. If that indeed bc the case how is it we have had Chrysler Canada Limited invest $600-million at their Windsor Assembly Plant; Ford of Canada has învested $ 1-billion ini a huge plant expansion in Oakville; Dofasco Steel Casting Division in Hamilton have invested $9- million in their casting operations;-Fleet Aerospace a $ 10-million investment; Mitel Corporation $123-million on R&D; and in recent weeks-Toyota have committeti $500-million for a new plant in Cambridge, Ontario, and I haven't even mentioned the millions that G.M. of Canada have poured into their Oshawa plant. In 1994, entrepreneurial business immigrants established 549 businesses in Ontario, investing $8 8-million and creating more than 2,000 full time jobs. The Investment Marketingand Site Selection Section help eight new manufacturing plants set up, relocate, retain or expand their operations in Ontario in. 1994. This represented a capital investment of over $48-million. In the past fiscal year the Ontario International Corporation helped ta win 36 international contracts in Ontario valued at $488-million. And I could go on, and on... Speaking recently to a Toronto business group, Liberal Leader Lyn McLeod was quoted as saying, "Fiscal restraint will be a fact of life for the rest of my political life." In a recent letter sent ta potential Liberal members, Lyn McLeod tells how she "lshares an apartment in downtown Toronto with her two daughters." Perhaps it would have been much more appropriate to, say they share an apartment with hier. Public records show that since March 31, 1991 through to March 31, 1994 taxpayers paid the rent on Lyn McLeod's Toronto apartment ta the tune of $45,277 or $ 1,25769 per month. In the samne period, taxpayers paid $19,764 or $581.29 for each 34 trips for hier family mnembers between Queen's Park and Fort William. 'Me current year ends on March 3lst, when these totals will bc added ta. Who lives with who? Who gets ta travel home almost every month at taxpayers expense? So much for fiscal restraint! The post-budget analysis continues, and 1 hope the people living in Durham East who told me via my recent "What do you Think" survey about their concernis over health care, direct their concernis now ta the local Federal Liberal member. We have on the record the Prime inister- saying medicare should be eut back to cover only catastrophie illness and major surgery. When the Federal Liberals lump together welfare, education and health transfers, then the Canada Health Act will become unenforcable. As 1 said a couple of weeks back, a two tier health care system is inevitable. Those who can afford it will get it, while those less fortuate will not. Canada's health care systema owes its existence to our society's broad commitment to fairness. Because we held the conviction that access to health care was a fundamental humant right. Today, we are facing a new challenge - do we have a commitment to equity, do we ahl believe that we all deserve equal access ta healthcare? Following the budget of hier federal cousins, which she concluded was "fair"', Ontario Liberal Leader Lyn McLeod told us that tough decisions will have to be made at the provincial level, but she didn't say what those decisions will be. Ontario Conservative Leader Mike Harris plans to introduce a "health levy" or user fee if hie should form the next government. At the samne time he promises a $6-bîllion reductian in the level of prograre spendingon top of the $3-billion eut from Ottawa. What programs will Mike Harris slash, will it be health. Will Ontario's seniors be required ta pay for their drugs? Ontarians have a right to have answers to these concerras. Our gavemmient is committed to reducing the deficit in spite of the roughshod treatment from those in Ottawa. We promise as always to deal wit h the tribulations facing Ontario fairly. We have no intention of laying waste ta the services that people want and need. We will continue ta work for the values that Ontiario has always stood for - social jus tice, stable communities, strong services and above aIl FAIRNESS. There are four ways of acquiring money - make it, earn it, marry it and borrow it. There are some folks who seem to know about ail four - Until next week - be. hnppy! The Ransberry Fa mily is back - and so the Foumdation Dance The Kidney Foundation Dance, sponsored by the Ransberry Family, is back. After a one-year recess, the Ransberrys are hosting the annual dance on -Friday, March 17, beginning at 8 p.m. in the Newcastle Community Hall in Newcastle Village. The Tradesmen, a five-piece country band, will provide the music. Tickets are $25 a couple. The fun includes square dancing under the direction, of Harold (Mac) Ransberry. The Ransberrys have been active members of the Kidney Foundation of Canada for more than 25 years. In 1968, Don Ransberry, son of Harold (Mac) and Norma Ransberry of North Orono, under went a kidney transplant after disease destroyed his healthy organs. At the time, the surgical procedure was in its pioneer-stage. Yet, it gave the then 21 year old a second chance at life. Today, Don Ransberry is 48 years; has a family and lives a normal ife, In appreciation for the work done by the Kidney Foundation, the Ransberrys have raised thousands of dollars for the foundation over the years. The dance, in particular, has been held for 15 years. Unfortunately, last year Norma Ransberry took seriously 11, forcing the faniily to put all fundraising on hold. Normna is now out of hospital and resting at home. The main organizational work for the dance has been passed from Harold (Mac) to Don. Meanwhile, Don's sisters Joan Ransberry and Darlene Muller as well as hîs wife Marilyn are assistin g. "'Our family has enjoyed hosting fundraising events throughout the years," said Harold Ransbenry. "We've received tremendous community support in our efforts. When Don was iII and in hospital in Toronto, the community rallied. When Normna took ill and spent months in hospital, the community supported us. When a family member faces serious illness, it is very difficuit. Yet, when the community cares, the coping is easier. Holding events like the dance is our family's way of showing our appreciation to the community and of course, to the Kidney Foundation," said Harold Ransberry. Anyone wishing more information on the event, eall Don Ransberry at 983-9678, Harold (Mac) Ransberry at 983-9597 or Joan Ransberry in Whitby at 430-3134. Starting Saturday, April l5th John McKenzie wili be back ta entertain in the Main Deck Diningroomn of the Port Darlington Marina Hotel. Dance to John's accordion music white enjoying Ann's f abulous buffet. Roservations appreciated (905) 623-4925 We are now open for our Sunday Evening FAMILY BUFFET Imm .. . KIDNEY FOUNDATION K' DANCE Friday, March 17, 1995 Time: 8 P.m. - 1 a-m. NEWVCASTLE COMMUNITY HALL Music by "The Tradesmen" Lunch provided Price: $25/couple Tickets at Door Sponsored by Ransberry Famlly For information 983-9597, 983-9678 THEN CALL US FOR YOUR BETER Pe- E