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THINK AHEAD In the 72 hours following a death, 87 important matters of business become a difficult task for loved ones... Spare them from this undue stress. Discover the decisions you can take care of today! BRAMPTON MEMORIAL GARDENS CEMETERY & CREMATION CENTRE 10061 Chinguacousy Rd. (Chinguacousy Rd. & Bovaird Dr. W.) (905) 840-3400 www.bramptonmemorial.com Because youll need to know. Call now for your FREE copy of the List! 99 Sinclair Ave., Ste. 110 Georgetown 905-877-5900 Want to live a pain free life? Experience the Latest Technology & the methods that work for you! Physiotherapy Massage Therapy Orthotics Laser Therapy www.medrehabgroup.com NO UP FRONT FEES we can bill your insurance company. Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9 Donna Adams of M&M Meat Shops in Georgetown put her best red nose forward Friday in celebration of M&Ms annual campaign to fight the February blahs. Employees at more than 460 M&M locations across Canada donned red clown noses to celebrate and entertain customers. Since the tradition began in 1992, M&M staff have worn more than 40,000 red noses and tickled the funny bones of countless customers. Photo by Ted Brown Beating the blahs Halton Region is voicing its support for a report released recently that calls for a national action plan to end homelessness and deliver affordable housing. The document, put forward by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), asks the federal gov- ernment for renewed funding commitments to address homelessness and affordable housing across Canada. It also highlights the troubling fact that fed- eral housing funding expires in March 2009. I would like to congratulate the FCM for making their recommendations for a national housing and homelessness plan and continuing to draw attention to this important issue, said Regional Chair Gary Carr. To help ensure that people of all incomes and at all stages of life have access to affordable housing, we need senior levels of government to provide sus- tainable and predictable funding. The report followsthe release by the FCM of the fourth in a series of theme reports as part of the Quality of Life Reporting System, which focused on how finding affordable housing remains a challenge for many Canadians. The Region was one of 22 communities across Canada that contributed data and technical advice to the report. Haltons Comprehensive Housing Strategy, endorsed by regional council in 2006, describes the need for a variety of housing types at a range of hous- ing costs, including the need for assisted and afford- able housing. Halton Region is at the forefront with our Comprehensive Housing Strategy, working to find housing solutions for people in our community, but getting long-term funding will be key, said Carr. Our Fairness for Halton campaign addresses the fact that Halton Region cannot accommodate growth targets specified in the Provinces Places to Grow plan. Senior levels of government need to provide the financial tools and funding commitments to address municipal infrastructure and social service needs, and that includes housing. The FCM report, entitled Sustaining Our Momentum: Recommendations for a National Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness is available through the FCM website at www.fcm.ca. For more information about Haltons Comprehensive Housing Strategy visit www.halton.ca. Halton Region lends its support in call for national housing plan Haltons emergency medical service (EMS) will soon be showing its support for Canadas troops by displaying yellow ribbon stickers on its vehicles. Regional council approved the initiative at its meeting Wednesday. A report from Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal noted that Halton EMS has a personal reason to support the yellow rib- bon campaign as Halton primary care paramedic Jonah Hirshberg is a medical technician with the 25 Toronto Field Ambulance of the Canadian Armed Forces reserve. Hirshberg recently reported to the Canadian Armed Forces base in Petawawa for field training and will ultimately be serving in active duty as a medic for the Canadian military in Afghanistan. The Support Our Troops yellow ribbon campaign is a national program established by the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency. By displaying the yellow ribbons we are acknowl- edging the personal sacrifices made by our front-line military personnel and their families and their dedica- tion and professionalism in serving Canada, said Dr. Nosal in his report. The yellow ribbon stickers will be purchased for all EMS vehicles for about $250, which will be absorbed into the health departments 2008 budget. EMS to show support for troops