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Durham East MPP John OToole announced on Mardi 11 that he will introduce a private member's bill in the Ontario Legislature this sprlng entltled, An Act to pro- dlaimr March i 7th 'Irish Heritage Day' in Ontario. The Act, if passed into law, wll establish St. Patrick's Day as a formai, provincial day on which the historlc legacy of Ontario's Irsh community wlll be commemorated and celebrated. Irish Immigrants were among the earliest settlers in r Canada. Canadians of Irish ancestry were and are to be found in ail walks of Ontario life, including legisiators, lawyers, doctors, homemak- ers, farmners and academics, dating back more than three hundred years. In 1845, Irish immigrants, fleeing the potato famine in Ireland, began settling in Ontario in large numbers. Ontario citizens of Irish descent have made and con- tinue to make significant con- tributions to Ontario and Canada. 'The Irish brought to this MPP" John R. OD'Toole announced March 9, 1998 on behaîf of Health Minister Elizabeth Wtmer that Oshawa General Hosptal wlll recelve further fundlng of approximately $260,095.00 for dialysis, services. This Is the second payment for dial- ysis services that were announced in June, 1997. "Many of my constituents, who now must drive great dis- tances to receive diahysis, will be very pleased wlth today's announcement," said MPP r OToole. -The additional fund- ing for Oshawa General Hospital wlll improve access to a high-priority health ser- vice. The Ontario govemnment made a commitment to fund dialysis services for more than $18 million. The addi- tional funding announced today will enable more than 450 patients to receive dialy- sis services. Mùiister Witmner said "More than 20 communities have recelved new or expanded diaiysîs services since 1995. Whie we are rebahancing our health system by investlng more in community services, our government is committed to investing in priority hospi- tai programs such as dialysis services." The announcement of fundlng for better access to dialysis services at the Oshawa Generai Hospital is part of the Ontario govern- ment's long-term strategy for chronic kldney failure. t includes prevention of the country and province their values of hard work, devotion to faxily and service to com- munity," said John OToole, "It is important to recognize those contributions along wîth the enduring role of Ontarlo's Irish community in Canada's fouindlng and devel- opment as a nation." Today, OToole added, "Thie Ontario Irish communlty's cultural heritage is an inte- gral part of Canadian nation- al culture and identlty whiùch belongs, by right, to al Canadians of all back- ground." "Many of my constituents, who don't have any Irish, background, tell me they become 'Irish for a day' on St. Patrick's Day," said OToole. "What better day than March i 7th for ail citizens of Ontario to-celebrate our Irish heritage - and j oin in on the festivities in the process?" OToole will table his pri- vate member's bill when the Legislature returns in the spring and will ask that it be passed wlth the unanimous consent of the Parliament of Ontario. dîsease, earhy detention, increasing the number of organ transplants and man- aging the resources for diaiy- sis services. "Having a family member on a lîfe support systema like dialysis, can put an addition- ai burden on the famlly through a commitment of extra time and expense" said MPP OToole. -By having increased dialysis services in Durham, patients will have better access with less travel- ling time and expense." V ol1un te es Needed OSHAWA ROAD SAFETY CHALLENGE Durîug the first week of June 1998, the Durhami Regional Police Service will be participatîng in the Ontario Road Safety Challenge. This program.i sponsored by theý Ontario Ministry of Transportation. challenges over 20 comrmunities in the province to i.rnprove local traf-- fic safety. This is. done by implemnenting safety pro- gramis and innovative ideas to redutce the numbe-l)r of motor vehlicle collisions Lin their towns and cities, mea- BB & PWC celebrates international affiliations The recent February meet- ing of the Bowmanville Business & Professional Women's Club was the annlu- ah International meeting. A candle lightlng ceremony was conducted by , the International Chair Audrey Bate with members llghting candies recognizîng our sis- ter clubs throughout the world and the contributions of our fellow members. Followlng the ceremony our speaker Muriel Krizanc was lntroduced and thanked by Mavis Carlton. Muriel and hier husband are volunteers with CESO, the Canadian Executive, Services Overseas. Murîel described the purpose of this organization was to- educate business in undevel- oped nations so that they might learn and consequent- ly be better equipped to han- dle the business of running their own affairs. In a place- mient of three months or longer the spouse would be invited to accomPany her husband and educate the people in the so-cahled soft services iLe. education, health, and social issues. Muriel's placement was in sured during a one-week period. The City of Oshawa pairtic- ipated in this challenge last year, and it was a big suc- cess. The events are planned and organized by members of a committee wvho come fromi various public and private sector organizations who al share a comimon goal of mak- ing our roads safer. The co- mittee currently has mem- bers representing the police, injury prevention groups, the health department, fire department, amnbulance ser- vice, driver's education, senior citizen groups, local media, and others. This group is anxiously seeking new members who also have an interest in improving road safety ia their conmmunity and specifically to beco me members of the «Oshawa Road Safety Challenge Committee." In addition, this group will go on to meet other challenges and projects in related efforts throughout the Region. If you are a member of an organization who shares our goals, and might bc interest- .ed in participating in this comnmittee, please contact the Oshawa Road Safety Challenge Committee: Chair:- Frank Murphy, Head Injury Association of Durham Region, (905) 723-2732 or Sgt. Rick Bates. Durham Regional Police, Traffic Managemnent Unit, (905) 579- 1520, Ext. 5254. 1 RECYCLE India and she described her experiences there. It was a vrry informed and stimulat- ing presentation. Irene Konzeimann report- ed that the March meeting would be held at General Printers i Oshawa and the membership would be 'edu- cated and entertained' in the aspects of the Employee Share Ownership Program (ESOP) in place at this com- pany folowed by a plant tour. Irene suggested that memi- bers were advised to dress informally and comfortably as this is a plant environment. Barb Hicks reported that the dinner would be a buffet starting at 6:00 p.m. followed by the presentation and then tour. We welcome guests at our dinner meetings and invite you to join us this month on Irish Heritage Day Act to honour Irish Legacy MARCH BREAK - Admission is free to ail programs - craft centre available daily for younger children, Aduits must accompany ail children. - March 19 & 20 "Simnply Electric" with interactive comput- ers and "Bill Nye films hourly from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.mn. Try some electrical experiments' *Clarington Day, Camp - March 16 to 20 A week of fun~ for kids 6 to 12. Program includes: Wednesday - thp to Metro Zoo and Wheelies; Thursday - Science Centre and Jungle Cat World;, Friday - Visit to Vahety Village and swîmming at Courtice Complex. Cost is $44 per day or, $126.50 per week. Registration forms at Town Hall or rec complexes. CLARINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Newcastle Branch Wheel of Fortune - March 18 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Bedtime Storytime - March 19 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Family Storytime - March 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. Clarke Branch Wheel of Fortune - March 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. Bowmanville Branch Family Storytime - March 18 from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and March 19 from 10:30Oto I1 a.m. Wheel of Fortune - March 19 from 2 to 3 p.m. SWIMMING Clarington Fitness Centre - March 13, 16, 18, 19 & 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Qourtice Community Complex March 13.16, 17,18, 19 & 20from 1:30to 4p.m. KIRBY SKI SCHOOL Three~ 1-1/2 hour lessons on Wednesday, March 18; Thursday, March 19; Friday, March 20. Caîl 983-6451. THE OPTIMIST CLUB 0F NEWCASTLE presents... MARCH BREAK FUN Free Bowling - March 18 At Community Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. AIl ages welcome - please bring slippers. Free Skating - March 19 Newcastle Arena from il a.m. to 1 p.m. Ail ages. Free Swimming - March 20 At Bowmanville Pool from 10 a.m. to 11:30 ar. vilrinters, 1001 tutson Koaa South in Oshawa for dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. sharp. For dinner reservations, please cail Helen Devittat 623-5670 by Thursday, Mardi 19, noon latest. Barbara Hicks Food( for thoug.aht!i Along wth eating rtght, daity physicat activty is one of the best ways of reductng the nsk of cardiovascular disease. Sharing a Heaithier A Ftu1re AIddîtional tunding for dialysis services