IHE HERALD Wednesday lMt- Page 11 Turner sets about working within the riding honest with vou Let me be honest with you When I campaigned for this job I didnt know precisely what it involved Sure there waa the House of Commons stuff and working on policies for the government I knew about serving on committees in Ottawa and about helping peo ple solve problems which arose here in our community I wanted to go to Ottawa essentially to be a voice for middle class concerns To make sure we are taxed fairly for example and that the feds do all they can to protect the environ ment and also to promote the economy Well Parliament ended its last session at am on Christmas Eve morning and things start up again on March So these weeks are an important time for me to work here in our new riding Let me give you a glimpse of what be ing a Member of Parliament has meant over the past week or so Weve had a few problems in far ming American pork producers have asked for an action against our guys and it looks like the US government will go ahead and im pose a duty Thats going to hurt On The Hill With Garth Turner in about six months I talked with some people wor ried about the trade action and had my office in Ottawa dig up all the facts The best thing weve got going for us now is the Free Trade Agreement which will let us challenge the Americans with a good chance of overturning the new tariff North ProLife asked for a meeting and got one Ive also arranged to meet on a regular basis with Mayor Kolb and members of Caledon Council so we can talk about ways the feds can help out with local matters In Georgetown I met with the people who are working to promote tourism in Halton Hills and they have exciting plans for a visitors when the decision is finally made guide to be published this spring Health fund established Walt Elliot North MPP The Government of Ontario through the Premiers Council on Health Strategy has set up a million Health Innovation Fund to support and evaluate new ways of providing costeffective health ser vices and programs The Ministry of Healths annual budget of billion represents 50 per cent of the provinces total ex penditures The governments task is to ensure Ontarians receive a maximum value for each tax dollar spent on health services Established in December 1987 the Premiers Council on Health Strategy draws together leading representatives of government the medical and academic com munities labor business and con sumers to develop a longterm blueprint for health and health care in this province As part of its mandate the 24- member Council chaired by Premier David Peterson has been asked to select health goals for Ontario establish targets to measure progress recommend public policy in itiatives to improve the health of Ontarians recommend ways to improve co ordination and cooperation among health and healthrelated services identify alternatives to institu tional care with emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention encourage public participation in health planning and policy development and assist with planning and opera tion of the Health Innovation Fund The Councils Health Innovation Fund will make funds available in four major areas over four years About onethird of the fund will be used to undertake a comprehen sive health status survey sponsor several hospitalinthehome pilot projects and encourage further development of community health centres health service organiza tions and comprehensive health organizations The balance of the funding will go toward grants for innovative pilot projects conducted by community groups individuals health providers and researchers as well as other projects identified by the Premiers Council on Health Strategy We are looking for proposals that will allow us to test innovative approaches to improve the health of Ontarians Premier Peterson said Two competitions for grants will be held each year Application deadlines for are March and must meet an important con sumer health need by presenting a new approach not by duplicating existing services Individuals and groups submitting proposals must be sponsored by a nonprofit organization The fund will not sup port capital construction of facilities hightechnology diagnostic equipment or projects funded by another source While the premier acknowledges the risk associated with the Health Innovation Fund he sees it as a necessary part of reaching the Councils ultimate goal Innova tion does not come without risks Mr Peterson said The potential for Increased tourist activity in this whole region is im mense and 1 really think it could become a very important industry for us Ive been talking with Canada Post about reestablishing postal service in the Limehouse area about proposals to change post of fice hours in Caledon Village Alton and and about why some Burlington residents have to line up to collect their mail when are in place Everything isnt solved yet but Im sure working on it Georgetown Mayor Miller had a few concerns about the train station now that VIA has decided to remove its agents and just sell tickets through travel agents and on the train Happily weve got a commitment that the empty sta tion wont be that way for long a new agent is being trained now and will soon take up duties there On Saturday Dorothy and I and some volunteers went door- knocking in Bolton Its important that I dont lose touch with people and one of the best ways I know is to show up on their doorstep I also wanted to let folks know were having a Town Hall meeting this Wednesday Jan 18 at 730 in the AlbionBolton Com munity Centre The idea is to host a meeting at which anybody can come meet me bring a problem share a concept or merely make me justify my existence Well be having a similar meeting next week in Georgetown and the one after in Burlington Of course everybodys welcome to come This past week Ive been putting together a Free Trade advisory committee a dozen or so com munity leaders who will help me make the trade deal work here Those who have so far agreed to serve on this committee are top- notch people and Im really look ing forward to working with them We should have the list completed CHRISTMAS MORNING LAST Unframed 00 CALL Framed Your Choice 00 except gold fillet ART GALLERY MAIN ST S DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN within a few days and Ill let you know who it includes Peel Regional Chairman Frank Bean and I have been talking about ways of working closely on pro blems like immigration and hous ing A couple of beef farmers in the Meanwhile I am working on material related to Stage Two of federal tax reform and thats the proposal for a national sales tax which will replace some taxes and probably lead to a fur ther reduction in income tax rates Milton area have had me working for middleclass people problems with Agriculture very complex issue and Im hopeful of being able to make a positive contribution in Ottawa Canada and the provincial govern ment Ive got speeches to deliver this week in AlliBton Kitchener and Bolton And were busily preparing to move into our first permanent riding office on Main Street in Georgetown I remain very hopeful that this will not be our only office because this riding is just too big to service from one spot get Ivegot time But as busy as 1 for you Call the riding office is at 416 And within days well have a tollfree phone line install ed Thanks for your patience while we get set up ft The Bennett Health Care Centre offering FINE RETIREMENT LIVING Private and Accommodation available In an attractive comfortable and secure environment specially designed for your needs Services Include full dining room service nursing assistance maid and laundry service a variety of planned activities use of all amenities Including beauty shop gift shop and bar service THE BENNETT HEALTH CARE CENTRE A nonprom foundation lha Qaorgatown ft Dltrict Mamoriil Hospital 1 Princess Anne Drive Georgetown Ontario 7 20 OFF MY GENERATION 115 MAIN ST SGEC HOURS ACROSS FROM KNOX