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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, March 16,1994 Section Two by Gord Mills, M.P.P., Durham East by Alex Shepherd, M.P. j In December of last year, Bill 120, our Residents' Right Bill received Second Reading in the Ontario Legislature, Legislature, and was referred to the Standing Standing Committee on General Govcm- ' ment. I served on that Committee and during the five weeks of hearings, I listened to over 130 presentations from groups and individuals from across Ontario. I have received many letters and spoken to many of you personally about Bill 120. hi some ways the legislation legislation has been seen to be controversial, controversial, and in other ways as something something that many of you have waited for years to happen. Because of this interest I drought I would go over the Bill, in the hope that all could get a better understanding of what we set out to achieve. Bill 120 extends rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act and other laws protecting tenants to residents of apartments in houses and care homes, including unlicensed boarding and retirement retirement homes. These tenants will gain protection that Ontario's other 1.2 million tenants already enjoy. In care homes, the lack of protection protection has meant residents lack privacy ■. or arc faced with the threat of losing their lodging at a moment's notice. Our government believes that a person person living in a care home or an apartment apartment in a house should have the same rights, security and protection as other other tenants. Tenants living in illegal apartments apartments in houses may have to put up with unsafe living conditions because they can't afford to complain. Unfair zoning by-laws keep them quiet about safety or maintenance problems problems because they know their apartments apartments may be closed down if they speak up. Some time back, as a result of a death in a nursing home, our Government Government appointed Dr. Ernie Lightman to conduct an enquiry into the province's province's unregulated care homes. He found these care home residents to be vulnerable to many forms of abuse - eviction at a moment's notice with belongings stuffed into green garbage bags, unsafe living conditions, inadequate inadequate care, lack of privacy, sexual abuse, and problems affecting health and personal safety. The estimate is that 47,000 people arc living in care homes, mostly frail, elderly people, former psychiatric patients, and others others with developmental or physical disabilities. Accommodation costs will be subject subject to the Rent Control Act under .-Bill 120. While the cost of care services services will not be regulated, care home operators will be obliged to register with the Rent Registry Information Information regarding rents, charges for care services and the number of occupants occupants in each unit. This will enable municipal and provincial inspectors to ensure that care homes meet provincial provincial safety and maintenance standards, standards, and improve overall living conditions for residents. A requirement requirement of 90 days notice prior to any increase in the cost of care service, and rent costs will also be enforced through the Rent Control Act. In the last while we've seen the tragedy that can result from living in an unsafe apartment. People who died in those fires might still be alive today if their apartments weren't made ille gal by local zoning laws that ignore the thousands of apartments that exist across the province - some say over 140,000 - including thousands in our riding of Durham East. Bill 120 contains provisions to make it easier for by-law officers to enforce safety, health and property standards. Further, the bill makes apartments in houses a legal use. For many owners, this will enhance the value of their properties. Similarly, tenants can complain to their municipality municipality about unsafe or unhealthy housing housing conditions without facing automatic automatic eviction because of zoning. Contrary to what some critics suggest, suggest, this is not an attempt to legalize existing apartments in houses which are sub-standard nor is it a moratorium. moratorium. To be legal, any unit, new or old, must meet provincial health and safety standards. In fact, new standards for apartments in houses have been developed developed under the Ontario Building Code and arc being created under the Ontario Ontario Fire Code. These standards will address fire safety issues such as smoke detectors, exits and fire separations. separations. Bill 120 supports home ownership. For many people, the rent from an apartment in a house can make the difference difference between being able to stay in their home and having to move. Many people, including seniors on fixed incomes, incomes, "empty nesters", and childless couples will benefit. At the same time, the opportunity to live in an apartment in a home tends to be more affordable, and will allow many people to save up for the down payment required to buy their own home for the first time. The construction and renovations of apartments in houses will create work, promote compact development and in particular in the inner city where household sizes arc declining. Finally, Bill 120 will allow municipalities municipalities to enter into agreements with, owners to allow garden suites (Granny Flats) on their property for up to 10 years. These suites will allow seniors and families to stay together, supporting supporting each other while maintaining their privacy. Maintaining existing jobs and creating opportunities for new ones is one of the main goals of our government. government. I have been travelling the riding riding discussing these matters with business owners and employees. I have been struck by the need for small and medium-sized businesses and their employees to be better informed informed of federal government programs. programs. In addition, I believe it is important important that those interested make their concerns known to government so that we can develop policies and programs such that existing jobs and new ones will have an environment in which to flourish. Some of the suggestions arc that government simply get out of the way of the business community. By this I mean simplifying government reporting etc. As meritorious as this suggestion would seem, I believe that a stronger economy can best be served by an alliance between business, business, labour, financial institutions, educators and governments. With regard to the interest of small and medium sized business I would like to propose the information of a business network. For want of a better name I have callcdit the Durham Durham Business Network, I suggest that this organization meet once a month, possibly on a Thursday night and probably at Durham College. The purpose would be to: a) provide a "bitch session" so that business people people and employees can vent their anger anger regarding current federal business practices: b) provide a forum to explain explain changing government policy and to get inpht from the business community regarding how they sec these matters; c) to receive suggestions suggestions regarding the need for changes to government practices; and d) to provide me a forum to float some of my initiatives in Ottawa by our employment employment community. With regard to the last point, I am working on a program program to provide better financing for small and medium-sized businesses. The fact that many of our small retailers have been hurt by the matching matching aspect of the announced reduction reduction jn the cigarette excise tax is a case in point. Quite frankly, I was unaware unaware of this inconsistency in the legislation. legislation. One of our business members members has brought this to my attention and I have discussed the matter with the Minister of Revenue. We are currently currently working to resolve this matter which has inadvertently affected a large number of our small business community. If you would like to be part of this group of informed business and employment employment community, please contact my office at 721-7570 or 1-800-565- 4105. Campaign Aims at Stopping Racism Ministry Now Includes Rural Affairs Premier Bob Rae announced Wednesday the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food will broaden its mandate and become the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "The addition of Rural Affairs to the name and mandate of the Agriculture Agriculture and Food Ministry reflects this government's strong commitment to rural economic growth and job creation," creation," the Premier said. "The additional additional focus will provide rural communities communities with the kind of attention they need and deserve." This initiative will be accomplished accomplished by re-directing existing staff and financial resources to more clearly clearly focus on service delivery to mral clients. The Premier highlighted the success success of recent ministry initiatives in support or rural economic development, development, including the new FarmPLUS program, which allows rural investors investors to buy guaranteed investment certificates. The proceeds from the sale of the GICs are then pooled and made available as loans for farm and agri-business ventures in mral areas. Premier Rae said the expanded mandate is a logical extension of the work the ministry has carried out over the years to enhance the economic economic viability of mral communities. "The expanded mandate reinforces the ministry's role as facilitator in helping mral communities meet their needs. The Minister, Elmer Buchanan, Buchanan, is from mral Ontario and he knows the needs and potential of our mral areas as centres for economic growth and job creation," he said. In addition, the Premier announced announced an initial contribution of $250,000 to a Rural Development Research Fund. Since 1991, OMAF has introduced introduced several policies and programs aimed at helping rural communities develop their economic potential. In 1992, the ministry launched its Agricultural Agricultural Investment Strategy to stimulate stimulate mral investment and expand the MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON POBLIC NOTICE All interested persons are Invited to attend a public meeting of the Newcastle Community Hall Board to be held on March 21, 1994 at 7:00 p.m., in the Newcastle Community Hall for the purpose of electing one female to the Board for a term expiring May, 1995, S7\ t MUNICIPALITY OF ( yarinqton ~ 0NTAI1I0 Dates of Publication: March 12 and 19,1994 Ind. #5010 Patti L Barrie, A.M.C.T. Town Clerk Municipality of Clarlngton 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3A6 scope of financial resources available to the mral and agricultural community. community. In its 1993 re-organization, a Rural Development Secretariat was created to support mral communities in their efforts toward self-directed economic renewal. In the same year, a Minister's Advisory Advisory Committee on Rural Issues was established with representatives from rural organizations and communities. communities. As well, the ministry was one of five participating ministries in the jobsOntario Community Action programs programs to focus on creating employment employment in rural Ontario. "The ministry's established presence presence and profile in mral communities across Ontario will be enhanced through its growing emphasis on rural rural community development, a direction direction reflected in the addition of mral affairs to the ministry name, "Premier "Premier Rae said. Since 1989, the Government of Canada has sponsored an Anti- Racism Campaign culminating around March 21 - the International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Discrimination. Many Canadians are active supporters supporters of the objective and ideals of the campaign. However, in order for the campaign to be successful, we must all bear responsibility for the elimination of racism and racial discrimination. discrimination. These efforts must be part of our daily lives and not just for one day of commemoration. Items available for you to use in your anti-racism activities include: Information Sheets These sheets provide suggestions and ideas for activities that can be carried out at your workplace, community community or post-secondary institution. They can be easily photocopied and shared with you colleagues, friends and family. Poster The theme of the campaign, Racism Racism - If you don't stop it, who will? appears on the poster. This message encourages people to take an active role in the elimination of racism racism and racial discrimination. Button The button features the message Let's Stop Racism. 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