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10 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole What the Throne Speech Didn't Say Ontario's MPPs are in the midst of debating the merits of the McGuinty Government's Throne Speech. Here are a few priorities and policies that were either absent from the Throne Speech or hardly mentioned. · Deficit Reduction: Ontario's operating budget debt is $27.4 billion. Yet the Throne Speech offers just 24 words on how to reduce a debt of $2.8 million per hour. That's hardly a plan to tackle the deficit and balance Ontario's books. · Hwy. 407 extension or the New Build at Darlington: Neither initiative was in the Throne Speech. · Accountability: Ensuring governments are open and accountable must be a continuing priority. There is little in the Throne Speech to suggest ongoing measures that will prevent a repetition of the eHealth scandal and related controversies about spending and awarding contracts. · Pension Reforms: An estimated four million working Ontarians have no pensions. Improved pension schemes are certainly a top priority for Ontarians and some legislation is already under consideration. Why was there no mention in the Throne Speech? · Sale of Public Assets: There's no mention on how the assets will be sold, although the Legislature has learned that financial firm has been hired to look into the matter. The Ontario budget is an important partner to the Throne Speech in explaining the direction this government will take for the balance of its mandate. Look for a budget in late March. Time for Action on LongTerm Care There are currently 26,000 people waiting for long-term care space in Ontario. That's up from 12,000 in 2005. It is estimated that 17.2 percent of Ontario hospital beds are occupied by Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients who are essentially waiting for long-term care homes or other support services. I might add that ALC beds are very expensive, placing additional pressures on hospitals. Unfortunately, hospitals cannot provide the home-like environment and privacy that long-term care patients need. The government's Aging at Home Strategy is a four-year, $1.1 billion program that has reached its 3rd year. The fact that long-term care waiting lists have never been longer is proof that this government must take decisive action to address the needs of our growing senior population. These are the men and women who have built our province. Seniors are entitled to accommodations providing dignity, comfort and respect. If your family has experience in arranging long-term care for a loved one, I would like to hear your thoughts about the process and general observations. Your comments on provincial issues are always welcome. I may be reached at: 905-697-1501 or 1800-661-2433 and by e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org. Minimum Wage to Increase March 31 Ontario is raising the hourly minimum wage to $10.25 on March 31, 2010. Since 2004, the minimum wage has been increased from $6.85. The rate of $10.25 applies to general wages. There are other hourly rates in effect for students, liquor servers, hunting and fishing guides and home workers. Details are available online at the Ministry of Labour web site, www.labour.gov.on.ca. I am interested in your views. Applications Open for Healthy Communities Fund Under the Healthy Communities Fund (HCF), eligible organizations are encouraged to provide programs and projects that help prevent chronic disease and keep Ontarians healthy. Programs may be provided in the following categories: physical activity, sport and recreation; healthy eating; mental health; reducing tobacco use and exposure; preventing alcohol/substance misuse; and preventing injuries. Eligible groups include: incorporated non-for-profit organizations, first nations communities, Ontario municipalities, colleges and universities and conservation authorities. The deadline is April 23, 2010 at 12:00 noon. I urge local community organizations to investigate this possible source of funds. Church Directory Newcastle United Church Nursery Care Provided Wheelchair Accessible Rev. James Feairs, B.A., M.Div., Minister newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca 84 Mill St. S., 905-987-4515 Orono United Church Rev. Timothy Dayfoot 111 Church St. N. 905-485-5502 orono.uc@rogers.com Sunday, March 21 Lent V, Worship, Faith in Motion (5yrs - teen) Workshop Rotation: Joseph - Prison to Palace. 10:30 a.m. Worship Sunday, March 21 Fifth Sunday in Lent Service starts - 11:00 a.m. Wheelchair Accessible Sunday School & Nursery Room Available Rev. Canon David R. Saunders, CD Anglican Churches St. Saviour's - Orono 27 Mill Street · 905-987-2019 9:30 a.m. - Worship, Sunday School Youth Group · Holy Communion - 1st & 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer - 2nd & 4th Sunday · Coffee and Fellowship to follow New Website: www.stsavioursorono.ca St. George's - Newcastle 250 Mill St. S. · 905-987-2019 8 a.m. - Commumion 11:15 a.m. - Worship , Sunday School Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday · Morning Prayer 2nd & 4th Sunday Coffee and Fellowship to follow Wed. March 17 - Compline - 6:15 pm - St. Saviour's Wed. March 24 - Compline - 6:15 pm - St. George's Sun March 28 - Palm Sunday Thur April 1 - Maundy Thursday Rites - 6:30 pm - St. George's Fri April 2 - Good Friday - 9:30 - St. Saviour's Fri April 2 - Good Friday - 11:15 - St. George's Sat April 3 - Easter Even 7:00 pm - The Easter Vigil - St. George's Sun April 4 - Easter Day 7:00 am - Son Rise Service - Bond Head Beach 8:00 am - Easter Communion - St. George's 9:30 am - Easter Communion - St. Saviour's 11:15 am - Easter Communion - St. George's Classified Business Directory LARRY JACKSON Debra Inglis Interior Design PLUMBING & WATER CONDITIONING Automotive Specialties BRIAN COUVIER Licenced Technician 117 Mill St. Orono L0B 1M0 "Look to us for all your general repairs to most make & models" Rims · Tires · Brakes · Tune-Ups Custom Exhaust Systems Castrol Engine Oil & Filter Service Specials Car & Truck Accessories Professional Installation Custom Drapery "Energy Saving Specials" Dealer & Fine Finishes by T. Osmond LDR CONTRACTING * Snow Removal * * Bobcat & Minihoe Service * Dump Trailer Service * * Tree Planting & Stump Removal * · Backhoe Work/Trenching · Pump Repairs & Installation · UV Lights · Water Softeners · Free Estimates For Friendly, Expert Service 905-9 9 83-9 9 919 Furniture Repair and Restoration Caning · Veneering · Carving French Polishes & Wicker Repair COMPLETE Luke or Lindsay Porter H. 905-983-9924 C. 905-914-6979 905-983-6214 905-9 983-5 5900 www.inglisdesign.ca 4312 Conc. #6, Kendal Experience You Can Trust 905-786-2477 I&T Carpenters · Licensed · 27 Years Experience · Custom Homes · General Contracting · Additions · House Trim · Stairs · Decks ·Windows ·Doors · Barns And all carpentry related work. Orono Veterinary Hospital Complete Residential Renovations, Additions and New Structures Windows · Soffit · Interlocking Waterproofing · Doors · Roofing Ceramic Tile · Siding Eavestroughing · Chimney Repair ~ Specializing in Stone Facing ~ Dr. Derrek de Haan Dr. Mathew Stephenson 30 Cobbledick St., Orono L0B 1M0 Tel: 905-983-9010 Fax: 905-983-5308 · ADDITIONS · RENOVATIONS · DECKS DOOR & WINDOW REPLACEMENTS · EXTERIORS · CABINETRY Authorized Consumers Gas Dealer Independent Lennox Dealer Furnaces · Air Conditioners and Appliances Heating · Electrical Air Conditioning ROBERT E. JACKSON "We're here to serve you" DAN ZEGERS 905-983-9543 6221 Main Street, Orono 983-6 TYLER SMITH sales representative "KRACO" CARPENTRY & CONTRACTING Since 1976 · Custom Built Homes · Renovations/Additions · Designing 905·697·1900 IVAN JONES TONY FANARA www.kendalhills.ca 905-983-5465 FREE ESTIMATES Call Mike Bonneau 6495 Leskard Rd., Orono L0B 1M0 Newcastle 905-987-5819 Hampton 905-263-9988 Mobile: 905-435-4181 Home: 905-983-9005 Orono Weekly Times 905-983-5301 * Residential * Farms * Rural Properties * Investment Rudy Kraayvanger www.homesmiths.ca 905-623-1101 www.kraco.ca