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r °Ofony WefrklyTfoes; Wednesday, June 25,2003 - 6 u -at it. n «r-a-»:n » * t -» « *• « i Viewpoint by Alex Shepherd, MP Durham Radwanski resigns Loyal Orange Parade July 5th I'm elated the committee I sat on looking into the privacy commissioner's misappropriation misappropriation of public funds gathered enough evidence to force the commissioner's resignation. I have always been committed to increasing accountability in government. And because of this I was seconded to the Federal Government Operations Operations Committee reviewing the affairs of Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski. Radwanski. This issue is like the Watergate saga and started as something quite innocuous. A copy of a letter sent to the Deputy Minister of Justice by the Privacy Commissioner was forwarded to the Committee as part of a request for access to information. information. The same request was made directly to the Department of Justice who released it. It then became obvious, when one looked at both copies, that Radwanski's copy had been altered by deleting a paragraph. The paragraph in question doesn't appear to have any great significance. Had he simply said he did alter the letter and apologize I suspect little would have been made of this. The paragraph was not simply deleted but the letter was changed to make it appear that the paragraph never even existed. And he ordered his staff to say the event occurred two days later than it really did so that he would have an alibi and say he was out of the office. An administrative assistant appeared before the committee committee and made a bold-faced lie about how the letter got changed and who requested the change. She tried to finger some innocent person way down in the chain of command. command. And so the lies went on. Radwanski turned to blaming blaming his staff which started a significant cover-up operation. operation. And, as most cover-ups have to rely on an ever- widening circle of co-conspir- ators, the stories became more and more unbelievable which led parliamentarians to start looking at other aspects of what was going on in the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. I think this committee investigation shows one of Parliament's better moments when all MPs, regardless of party affiliation, worked together to uncover, not only unethical conduct but the misappropriation misappropriation of taxpayers' money. Mr. Radwanski also attempted to doctor , his expense accounts. He whited- out information. Under the title, "nice work if you can get it," Mr. Radwanski and his female assistant travelled the world over at taxpayers' expense. They travelled to Madrid, Paris twice in one month, London, New Zealand and Hawaii. He spent over half-a-mil- lion dollars in expenses in two years. This from the man who is supposed to be protecting your privacy rights. Privacy is an important component in our lives. It is not to be used as a shield to allow people to steal from the public purse. So why didn't we just fire him? Well, he was appointed by a Governor-in-Council order. He is an officer of Parliament and therefore, is answerable to it. At this point in the country's development removal of this person by the House of Commons is unheard of. In Parliament you always rely on precedent. This case has no precedent. Of course we recommended that he should be removed but it is not at all clear what authority we have to terminate terminate his employment. Some lawyers argue that because the Governor-in- Council comes from the Prime Minister's Office it is up to him to cancel the appointment. Be that as it may, it's all a moot point now that Radwanski resigned. In his statement of resignation Radwanski said he was never given the opportunity to defend himself. I contend he had plenty of opportunities and with each one his wéb of lies and deceit ended up strangling strangling him. Good-bye Mr. Radwanski, taxpayers are better better off without you. DISTRESS CENTRE DURHAM FEELING CORNERED? SCARED? ALONE? Distress Centre Durham offers a free, confidential, 24-hour, help-line service. Call 905-433-1121 or 1-800-452-0688. To volunteer call 905-723-4461 or visit: www.distress centredurham.com for info. Phyllis Lowery Once again the Orange Parade will make its way down Main Street in Orono. Saturday, July 5th, the parade will leave the fairgrounds fairgrounds at 1 p.m. featuring several bands and the men and women of local and visiting members of the Orange Order. Following the parade, there will be band entertainment in the arena. At il a.m., the men and WHITBY, ON, June 24, 2003 - Summer is officially here and for many seniors the nice weather brings increased activity. With increased activity activity also comes the potential for falls. Durham Region Health Department reminds everyone that falls can happen anytime of year. To increase awareness that falls are a serious health concern, concern, the Health Department will be distributing a free gift size bottle of non-alcoholic sparkling apple juice, with an attached Falls Prevention message, to participating seniors seniors centres throughout Durham Region. The apple juice will be given to seniors attending various organized events at the centres. "Falls continue to be the leading cause of fatal injury among seniors," explains Carol Reilly, a Public Health Nurse with the Durham Region Health Department, "but, it's important to remember remember that most falls can be pre ladies of Kendal Orange Lodge will be dedicating a memorial bench in the Orono Cemetery in honour and glory of the many members who are buried there. Many of these members were the pioneers who settled this part of Ontario. The public is welcome to attend, especially descendants of these members of the Orange Order. vented. "Falls are usually caused by a number of things that can be prevented including improper footwear, loose rugs and clutter around the home. By addressing these potential hazards, you can help lower your chances of falling." The Health Department has a number of resources that provide helpful suggestions on preventing falls, including a 12-tip resource pamphlet titled "It's Time to Prevent Falls". "By making some minor adjustments to their environment seniors can live very active lives," says Ms. Reilly. To obtain a copy of "It's Time to Prevent Falls" or for more information about falls prevention please call Durham Region Health Department at 905-723-5338, ext. 2545 or visit: http://health.region.durham.o n.ca or www.region.durham.on.ca. II W Come help us celebrate our v- $$ IIP <sfy 5 ( Saturday, June 28th at Orono Country Cafe Musical Entertainment - 10:30 am Balloons * Clown* Draws Wed. to Sat. $2 hamburgers $ 1 from every burger donated to local charity & -</ 4 fi?» 4 dCt 4 0# MORRIS FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD. SERVING DURHAM REGION SINCE 1841 ALL FUNERAL SERVICES PREARRANGED AND/OR PREPAID BURIAL - CREMATION - TRANSFERS WHERE PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE IS IMPORTANT" FUNERAL DIRECTORS PAUL R. MORRIS DOUG R. RUTHERFORD GARY M. CONWAY DEBRA D. KELLEHER 623-5480 4 DIVISION ST.. BOWMANVILLE - AT QUEEN ST. Preventing falls important for seniors any time of year