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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 4, 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 Oakville Beaver 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 Pension plans Our federal government -- in a majority position for the first time in a number of years -- apparently doesn't want to truly lead our country. Last week's budget announcement provided a prime opportunity to do just that. Rather than lead by example and show us how it's done, the Conservatives sat on their hands as they told us we need to work an extra two years before retirement -- most of us, anyway. The Tories will phase-in an increase in eligibility for Old Age Security from 65 years of age to 67, affecting those of us who are younger than 54. Meanwhile, they won't be making any adjustments to MPs' pensions until next year, and we don't yet know what those adjustments may be. This, despite public outcry after the Canadian Taxpayers Federation reported earlier this year that taxpayers contribute $23.30 to an MP's pension for every $1 he or she contributes. And when hidden contributions are factored in, MPs' pensions rise at a rate of 10.4 per cent each year. Wouldn't that be nice? In the eyes of this government, it's okay for the masses to work longer in life, while its members continue to be eligible for their pensions at age 55. The Conservatives should have pledged a full and public review of MPs' pensions, including how they are funded, with the stated goal of bringing them more in line with what the rest of us receive. While working an extra two years is hard to stomach no matter what, knowing MPs are willing to sacrifice as well would add a little sugar to this distasteful medicine. 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. Letter to the editor Court ruling on brothels alarming to Oakville MP The recent decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal on March 26 to strike down the ban on brothels and living off the avails of prostitution in Canada is alarming. The Government of Canada and many women's groups across the country recognize prostitution is harmful to vulnerable persons, women and communities. The decision itself has been generally supported in our media as progressive, hailed as helping restore the personal security of prostitutes. In reality, it would place more vulnerable women in harm's way. The Scottish Parliament recently studied this issue and discovered legalization and regulation of prostitution increased the role of organized criminals in the sex business, along with child prostitution, violence against women and more foreign girls and women being trafficked into a region. I note some media outlets that support this decision make hundreds of thousands of dollars on prostitution, publishing ads that prostitutes place in their newspapers or their websites. Establishing brothels in Canada would simply legitimize the role of pimp, giving it a different name -- madam -- and allow governments to take a piece of the action in this sad practice in licensing fees and income tax. It is highly naive for the court to assume prostitutes would obey the law and stay in brothels, never to be bullied again. For privacy and profit reasons, prostitutes will continue to sell their services in hotels, bars and on the street. See Prostitutes page 12 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. Molly owes thanks to vets My dog was diagnosed last week with Lyme disease. The diagnosis was made when I presented Molly, who was exhibiting severe joint pain and high fever, to my veterinarian's office (West Oak Animal Hospital). These findings prompted Dr. Fisher to transfer us to the Mississauga/Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital for emergent investigation and treatment. Dr. Fisher mentioned the possibility of tick-borne disease and I recalled that she had had a deer tick removed at the groomer in November of last year. As it turns out, this tick was likely the cause of Molly's Lyme disease. Symptoms can take twofive months to present in a dog following exposure, and can have devastating effects. I write this letter to raise awareness about the potential risk of tick-borne disease in Oakville to other dog owners. We are very fortunate that Molly is undergoing the appropriate antibiotic treatment and is doing well, and are extremely grateful for the excellent care provided to us both by our regular veterinarians at West Oak Animal Hospital and by the Emergency veterinarians and team at the Mississauga/ Oakville Veterinary Emergency. Alison Thomas, Oakville Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver or @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @BeaverSports or @Halton_Photog