The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 24, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution Sarah McSweeney Circ. Manager Kicking butt Well, at least we're not Greece. That appears to be about the best news gleaned from economist Don Drummond's recent report on Ontario provincial government spending. "Ontario faces more severe economic and fiscal challenges than Ontarians realize," said the former TD Bank chief economist. He darkly warned the provincial deficit would balloon from $16 billion this year to $30.2 billion in 201718. Certainly much of the blame should fall on the shoulders of Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Liberals who have, according to Drummond, "(failed) to keep growth in government spending in line with revenue growth." Naturally, the Conservatives were quick to jump all over this line in Drummond's report, but it should be pointed out that neither they, nor the NDP, nor the Liberals in the last election campaign, talked about making the tough decisions they all knew Drummond would suggest. So, enough with the political posturing. Drummond's recommendations -- and they are simply that -- call for wide-ranging changes in which every sector of society would take a hit. Health: He suggests linking seniors' drug benefits to income, not age. Limiting healthcare spending increases to 2.5 per cent. Beefing up the responsibility of Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN). Folding 36 public health agencies into the LHINs. No raises for doctors. Education: He wants an end to all-day Kindergarten, larger class sizes, raising teacher retirement age and redirecting the 30 per cent tuition break to lower income students (or ending it). Miscellaneous: Cancel the "clean air benefit" (10 per cent rebate on electric bills). Slash all areas other than health, education and social services by 2.4 per cent annually. Allow slots at places other than racetracks. End free parking at GO stations. His report was a giant kick in the backside to the politicians -- of all stripes -- who have created this mess. Certainly following all his recommendations would be folly (i.e. boosting LHINs), but there are points that should be seriously considered (electricity rebate, class sizes, slots, to name a few). But Drummond is not leading this province -- that falls to the politicians and it is incumbent on them to see that we start making some of those changes so we don't become another Greece. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Skate Day a success Letter to the editor Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. MP's rebuttal on OAS letter Re: OAS needs more study, page 6, Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 This is in response to G. Duncan's letter regarding the Old Age Supplement (OAS), asking for more study of the issue. Our government agrees on more study. No decisions have been made regarding how it should be changed, except that those currently retired or near retirement will not be affected at all. G. Duncan is concerned that the OAS `clawback' could increase and `bite into' a retired person's pension. I am pleased to address this concern. The OAS is fully taxed back for Canadians who earn more than $130,000 in retirement, but the amount taxed back never exceeds what was received and never will. Duncan also commented on MP pensions and expenses, saying changes to OAS will not be matched by MPs, which the writer will be glad to hear is incorrect. MPs have made significant personal See MP page 17 Pud By Steve Nease neasecartoons@gmail.com We held our first annual Free Family Day Skate Date Monday (Feb. 20, Family Day) and would like to thank all Oakville residents who came out to take part. It was wonderful to see the community come out to enjoy a few hours of ice skating in our historic Old Oakville Arena. T h e afternoon included a few first timers (both young and not-so-young) who took advantage of the opportunity to check out the rink. We were delighted to see teens, families, seniors and babies out to celebrate family day with us. Thanks to Tracy Nursall, Blake Poland and other members of the West Kerr Village Residents Association, who arranged free hot chocolate and coffee for everyone, and to Tim Hortons for their donation. Thanks, as well, to Encore Cinemas, that provided its popcorn popper and popcorn, which was a big hit with skaters. And a special thank you to Guy Holt and the Oakville Arena staff for their assistance in making the afternoon a success. It was heartwarming to see so many residents take us up on our offer to Slide and Glide together and we're looking forward to seeing everyone out again next year. Pam Damoff, Ward 2 Town councillor, and Cathy Duddeck, Ward 2 Regional councillor