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The Canadian Champion, Friday, February 2, 2007 -A ~Region wants Province to improve on social services By Melanie Hennessey including serohers of the Strong ( ommniies Coalition. son for -ocial servces, and $246 less per person for healîla The Region îs callîng on the Province to improve the way it funds health and social services in the GTA. At its meeting last week, regional council passed a motion supporting recommendations t0 Queens Park on what can be done t0 help municipalîties deal with growth pressures facing everything from child care t0 hospital services. The suggestions counicil endorsed, whîch were onigînally put forward in a report from the Sîrong Communities Coalition, ask the Province t0: - lmmediately provide growth funding for bealth and social services in the G1Ai905 regions of Duîrham, Halton, Peel and York. * Revise the way funding îs allocated for health and social services across Ontanio so that ils distrihuted on the hasîs of population size, growth and charactea-istics. 0 Develop a health and social services sîraîegy for Ontario's higb-growth regions t0 complemnent the Places 10 Crow plan in consultation with CTA/905 stakeholders, needs in the comrnunity,- said Halton Commîssioner of Social and Community Services Adelina Urbanski. "If these recommendations are acted on, iî would improve the capac- ity of Halton Region and non-profit agencies to meet that growing demand." The Strong Communities Coalitions report contains the tindings of a recent audit completed by PricewaterhouseCoopers that shows theres a large and grow- ing gap between funding the GTA receives for health and social services compared to the rest of Ontario. The document explains the inequity has corne about because "funding is primarily allocated on the basîs of bis- torical patternis. Population growîh and demographics are generally not being considered." in tact, the audit found the annual funding gap for provincially-funded social services in the GIA bas grown over the last several years to more than $550 million, white in health care the gap as over $900 million. More specifically, CIA resîdenîs receive $181 less per per- 1 i ie~ ss s.ip ssssi liais usai sus l itus lsiniiiig toi health and social services in the GIA/905 are not keepîng pace with the population growth taking place in Halton Region," said Regional Chair Gary Carr. "White Halton is takang a proactive approach in including health and social service issues an its response 10 Places to Crow through the Ddrable Halton Plan, we urge the provin- cial govemment to take action along with the federal gov- emmena in comning up with solutions to fix the funding gap. Metanie Hennesseyv cari be reaehed at mlsennessay@milton- canadianchampion.com. BUYR BEWAR: 13 Extra Costs to Be Aware of Before Buying a Home HALTON - Whetber you're looking to buy your first home, or trading up to a larger one, there are many costs - on top of the purchase price - that you must figure into your calculation of affordability. These extra fees, sucb as taxes and other additional costs, could surprise you witb an unwanted financial nigbtmare on closing day if you're flot informed and prepared. -VVt:t;Ky' X. WfI-VVtaaiuy! e P Di-VaeeisIY! pc bl-VVtaeKiy! Some of these costs are one-time fixed payments, MUAI 15 OUAN MRI 15 MN TAUO LS 1O3 JEEP MM~ wbile others represent an ongoing montbly or yearly is/Irtks, tilt, V6. power windoWs/Icks, Leather, 44K, pewter. V6, arua, air, 3W, PlI, tii, c m im n.W iefo i fteecsswl tkP30A lodd.2K SkP37A t#P06 leather, mýorrof, roaded, cmien.W l ota fthscsswl apply tk#330A Iade, 2K. ik#317A Sk#P096 86K, silver Stk#200014A in every situation, if's berter to know about tbem -Weekly! IQ Bi-Weekly! ~JiOBi-Weekly! Bi-Weekiy! ahead of time s0 you can budget properly. Remember, buying a home is a major milestone, and cii U M ALA '0 M pjAij 'O1 VW JETIR wbetber if's your first, second, or tentb, there are #P3312A on, 14K Stk#P3313A Silner 10K. Stk#P3309A Black, 6l#05K roanad many smatl but important details, flot to mention S t~ai ~ ~stress and excitement, to deal witb during the process. The last tbing you need are unbudgeted optimum financial obligations in the bouts before you take Iocturr'sWaranty 15 P~I, H 11EH ES possession of your new home. IoossleEchanPrMe é 24HourRoodsidAssedtnce To0 belp bomebuyers understand wbat tbese extra costs are, and in what situations tbey may apply, a free industry report bas been prepared catled "13 Extra Costs to Be Aware of Before Buying a Home". Mi;e B To hear a brief recorded message about how to i ..." -order your FREE copy of this report, cati 1- «ZZ 877-617-1275 and enter ID #3008. You can O iIL~~ sn0cati any rime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visit us online ar www.haitonl3extracosts.com Dr Sven Bacchus DD.S., MSc., BSc., FRCD. (C) Certified Ortbodontic Specialist Smiles that last a Lifetime We welcome new patients! 311 Commercial Street-Suite 209.Milton Braces for Children & Aduits TeI.905.875-2995 Ai Tais Crins sve are cîansmitied 10 you sind yîsur tarnily's uohodoni. care. A beautiful aile attracts attention. 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