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

ONA asks Province to boost RN numbers during hearing in Oakville The Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) met with the Standing Committee on Finance & Economic Affairs in Oakville Tuesday to call on the provincial government to hire more registered nurses (RNs). "It's a shocking little secret that Ontario has the second-lowest RN-to-population ratio, with just seven RNs per 1,000 Ontarians," ONA president and RN Linda Haslam-Stroud, said in a news release, following the committee meeting. "Polls have shown how important healthcare is to Ontarians, and it's vital that we begin reducing the RN gap of more than 17,500 that currently exists between Ontario and the rest of Canada." Jo Anne Shannon, RN and ONA professional practice specialist, addressed the committee during the pre-budget presentation hearing at the Holiday Inn on Argus Road where the ONA called for funding of a multi-year action plan to hire and maintain registered nursing positions. Shannon presented that RN cuts can hurt patients and cited research showing the direct link between RN staffing levels and improved health outcomes for patients, said the release. Haslam-Stroud said there is a dire need for more RNs to meet the increased care needs of the "complex, unstable patients" in hospitals. "It's time for the Ontario government to step up for patients," Haslam-Stroud said in the release. "It is essential to properly staff our hospitals to meet patient care needs. Ontarians deserve no less care than patients in the rest of the country." ONA is the union representing 60,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 14,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry. For information, visit www.ona.org, www. facebook.com/OntarioNurses, or www.twitter. com/OntarioNurses. 13 | Thursday, January 16, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton.ca 311 Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. Public Information Centre Watermain Replacement on Cairncroft Road from Drummond Road to Cedarbrae Drive Town of Oakville PR-2578 Halton Region is planning to replace the watermain on Cairncroft Road from Drummond Road to Cedarbrae Drive. A Public Information Centre will be held for residents who want to learn more about the construction project. Please drop in at any time. Project staff will be available to answer your questions: Public Information Centre Wastewater Main Replacement on Pinegrove Road, Weir Avenue, Pineland Avenue and Woodale Avenue Town of Oakville PR-2863 Halton Region is planning to replace the wastewater main on Pinegrove Road, Weir Avenue, Pineland Avenue and Woodale Avenue beginning summer 2014. A Public Information Centre will be held for residents who want to learn more about the construction project. Please drop in at any time. Halton staff will be available to answer your questions: Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 Time: 6:30 p.m. ­ 8:30 p.m. Place: E. J. James Public School 338 Cairncroft Road, Oakville If you would like to learn more about the project and are unable to attend the Public Information Centre, please contact: Melvin Gonzalez Project Manager Public Works 905-825-6000 x 3285 Melvin.Gonzalez@halton.ca Time: 6 p.m. ­ 8 p.m. Place: Halton Regional Centre, Nelson Room 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville If you would like to learn more about the project and are unable to attend the Public Information Centre, please contact: Martin Larkin Project Manager Public Works 905-825-6000 x 7614 Martin.Larkin@halton.ca 160114