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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 15 In the event of an emer- gency, firefighters are often first on the scene to help us. They protect our families and keep our communities safe. But this essential job comes with inherent risk to their health. Thats why its so bi- zarreand tremendously disappointingthat the McGuinty government continues to delay the pro- tection that our part-time firefighters need and de- serve. In Halton Hills, as in many communities across Ontario, part-time fire- fighters ( tradit ionally known as volunteers) work alongside full-time firefightersthey fight the same fires and respond to the same emergencies. If they become ill with certain types of cancer or heart disease, full-time firefighters can count on presumptive workers compensation coverage. These illnesses, in other words, are presumed to be work-relatedenabling firefighters to collect workers compensation benefits. This benefit became law more than two years ago. At that time, however, the government neglected to include volunteer firefight- ers in its legislation. Since then, volunteer firefighters have heard many promises that they would be covered, but have seen no action from the government. In April, I introduced a bill that would have ex- tended this long-promised coverage to volunteer firefighters. Despite the McGuinty Liberals long- standing promises, and despite support from MPPs of all three parties, most of the Liberals voted against it in principle. Well over 100 municipal- ities across Ontario have expressed support for equal treatment for volunteer fire- fighters. Adding her voice in support is Stittsville resident Linda MacDon- ald, who tragically lost her husband, Alex, over a year ago. Mr. MacDonald was a volunteer firefighter not covered under existing workers compensation legislation. This is an issue for every firefighter. But two years after the governments promise, and three months after it voted down my bill, it would appear that the government is still doing nothing. Firefighters cant wait any longer. If cost is an issue, the Province should pick up the tab. If you agree, I would urge you to write to the Minister of Labour. Tell him you support presump- tive workers compensation coverage for volunteer fire- fighters. Tell him to keep the governments commit- ments to them. You can e-mail the Min- ister, the Honourable Peter Fonseca, at pfonseca.mpp@ liberal.ola.org. Please send me a copy at ted.arnott@ pc.ola.org. I ve been p roud to support our volunteer fire- fighters over the years. In 1994, the Legislature passed my bill to allow volunteer firefighters to use flashing green lights in their personal vehicles when responding to emer- gencies. In 1998, I introduced legislation to ensure that mun ic ipa l i t i e s cou ld support their volunteer firefighters to the greatest possible extent with regard to workers compensation coverage. The govern- ment later passed into law an identical bill. In 2002, I introduced legislat ion to support two-hatter firefighters. Typically, two-hatter fire- fighters work full-time for city departments and wish to volunteer in the nearby small municipalities where they may live. I look forward to con- tinue advocating on behalf of volunteer firefighters, and all of our communities they serve, as the Legisla- ture reconvenes. * * * Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott welcomes your comments. He can be reached toll free at 1-800- 265-2366. His website is www.tedarnottmpp.com. NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE # 1 Halton-Peel Boundary Area Transportation Study The Halton-Peel Boundary Area Transportation Study is a joint study between the Region of Peel, Halton Region, City of Brampton, Town of Caledon, and the Town of Halton Hills. The study was suspended until July 2009. It has been reinitiated to carry on with the identification of the long-term (2021 and 2031) transportation network required to support provincial and inter-municipal planning goals, and to serve future transportation demands within the Study Area (see map below). Specific goals and objectives of the Halton-Peel Boundary Area Transportation Study are to: Support current and future municipal planning objectives by providing transportation capacity to accommodate future travel demands generated by planned growth in west Brampton and Halton Hills. Develop a coordinated interconnected roadway network system along the Halton-Peel boundary. Identify opportunities for transportation mode choices, including public transit, carpooling/vanpooling, and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes across the study area. Identify solutions to serve long-distance truck traffic travelling in the Study Area between Halton Region and Peel Region. Identify improvements that will serve inter-regional traffic including longer- distance, cross-boundary traffic from Halton Region (and areas west of Halton Region), travelling through west Brampton and southwest Caledon to destinations to the south and east in Peel Region, York Region, and Toronto. Review the potential to improve connections with the existing Provincial 400-series highway network and possible future Provincial transportation facilities including the GTA West Corridor Planning and Environmental Assessment Study. Explore opportunities to reduce dependency on the automobile through Travel Demand Management (TDM)/transit supportive measures. This joint study will be carried out through an open public process under the guidelines of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process (MEA, 2000). A key component of the study will be consultation with the general public and other stakeholders through public information centres (PICs) and stakeholder group workshops. Members of the public are invited to attend the first Public Information Centre (PIC) on September 24th, 2009. The purpose of the first (of two) PICs will be to introduce the study, present preliminary study findings and recommendations, and facilitate discussion and solicit feedback for input to the selection of the preferred alternative. Please take this opportunity to make comments, identify issues and provide additional information: Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009 Location: Mold-Masters Sportsplex, 221 Guelph Street, Georgetown, ON Time: 6:00 7:00 pm Open House 7:00 8:30 pm Presentation and discussion Following the Public Information Centre, further comments are invited for consideration and incorporation into the study. Comments will be received until October 9, 2009 and can be sent to the project team members listed below, along with any other information requests or questions. Wayne Chan Manager, Transportation Planning Region of Peel 10 Peel Centre Drive, 6th Floor Brampton, Ontario L6T 4B9 Phone: 905-791-7800 ext 4405 / Fax: 905-791-7920 Email: wayne.chan@peelregion.ca Andrew Head Manager, Transportation Services Halton Region 1151 Bronte Road Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L Phone: 905-825-6000 ext. 7475 / Fax: 905-825-8822 Email: andrew.head@halton.ca Tyrone Gan, P. Eng. HDR|iTR ANS Consulting Inc. 100 York Boulevard, Suite 300 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1J8 Phone: 905-882-4100 / Fax: 905-882-1557 Email: tgan@itransconsulting.com Please visit www.Halton-PeelBATS.ca for additional information. The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca 10090 9 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 Dial 311 or 905-825-6000 Toll Free 1-866-442-5866 TTY 905-827-9833 www.halton.ca Study Area: Our MPP Reports by Ted Arnott MPP Wellington - Halton Hills