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00 in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 3 ,2 01 8 | OPINION • EDITORIAL • D o y o u r p a r t Small efforts can make a big difference when it comes to our impact on the planet This is the time o f year when we get our annual nudge to be better citizens o f the planet. Spring cleanups are happening, kids are consider­ ing ways to reduce their family's carbon footprint, and we're being slammed with information about how devastating our wasteful lifestyles are to the environ­ ment. We get it, but not all o f us change our ways. And every year we hear the message expressed w ith a little more urgency. We can't continue to ignore our impact on the planet and think it's sustainable. But does this heightened awareness really reso­ nate? Are we changing our lifestyles to reflect the grim reality o f our wasteful habits? Evidence o f human neglect for the environment is everywhere. Last month, an autopsy on a sperm whale that had washed up on a beach in Spain revealed why it died - 64 pounds o f plastic and other debris was lodged in its stomach. On the other side o f the world, a massive patch o f floating garbage spins in the North Pacific. It's not all bad. There are some good stories, like the University o f Guelph hospitality department's recent promise to elim inate plastic drinking straws and bags across campus starting in September. It's a small ges­ ture that should give a renewed emphasis to annual protests calling on the ban o f bottled water, in part because o f the plastic waste it creates Let's all go further. Don't be a jerk and toss your coffee cup, plastic lid included, into the garbage. Get it into the blue cart. Carry a reusable water bottle and fill up at the fountain. The Region o f Halton has made investments in waste management as well as improvements to its curbside collection services, including the blue box and green cart programs -- further encouraging indi­ vidual recycling efforts. Locally, residents can now throw plastic bags, in­ cluding grocery and newspaper bags, in the blue bin. Plastic overwrap, including packaging on cases o f pop and bathroom tissue, can also be recycled. Helping to further reduce litter, households can now place recyclables in clear plastic bags. This en­ hancement w ill surely help on w indy days, when recy­ clables go fly ing out o f blue bins and get strewn across front lawns, sidewalks and local streets. " By providing more curbside recycling options and adding more acceptable items, Halton is keeping our neighbourhoods clean and reducing community waste," said Regional Chair Gary Carr. With these options now available to us, it 's imper­ ative that we do our part. These are small things we can all do to make a big difference. ABOUT US The Oakville Beaver, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. o°© . °o metrolandmedia " Connected to your community* The Oakville Beaver is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca nncNationalNewsMedia Council lnjbideHalton.com editor@oakvillebeaver.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeav ESI @OakvilleBeaver Asking candidates how they'll tackle regional issues Candidate responses to questions will be posted online, writes Carr Halton Region w ill ask local provincial election candidates for their posi­ tion on key issues to help you make an informed de­ cision at the polls. On June 7, voters will cast a ballot to elect a local member of provincial par­ liament in addition to the premier. As your voice at Queen's Park, MPPs help secure solutions from the Ontario government in re­ sponse to local challenges and opportunities. Region­ al council supports these efforts, and we work close­ ly with Halton's MPPs to GARY CARR C o lu m n advocate for long-term, predictable funding and legislative changes that ad­ dress key issues in our community. The Provincial Places to Grow Act mandates that Halton's population reach approximately one million residents by the year 2041. To meet this target, the ser­ vices and infrastructure required to support devel­ opment must be planned and funded before they are needed. This is why it is im- perative that all levels o f government work together to preserve Halton's high quality o f life and protect existing taxpayers from the cost o f growth. To help residents pre­ pare for the upcoming pro­ vincial election, the region w ill send a questionnaire to MPP candidates run­ ning in Halton. It w ill ask them to identify their posi­ tion on key advocacy is­ sues, including: • confirming regional and provincial regulatory roles in the proposed CN truck-rail hub; • investing in safe, af­ fordable and accessible gov­ ernment-assisted housing; • investing in roads and infrastructure to support growth targets; • investing in adequate funding to support manda­ tory public health pro- grams to close the $9.3-mil­ lion funding gap; and • immediately investing in new technologies and es­ tablishing enforceable per­ formance agreements for area Central Ambulance Communications Centres. As we receive candidate responses, we w ill post them on halton.ca/ONelec- tion2018 to help you decide how candidate platforms align with your vision for the community. You can al­ so visit halton.ca/advoca- cy to learn more about the region's advocacy initia­ tives. We look forward to con­ tinuing our partnership with local MPPs. By work­ ing together, we ensure Halton remains a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. - Gary Carr is regional chair of Halton Region. CONTACT US WHO WE ARE Oakville Beaver 2-5046 Mainway Burlington, ON L7L 5Z1 Phone: 289-293-0617 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyer/Retail: 289-293-0624 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague kmontague@metroland.com | 289-293-0614 Director Advertising Daniel Baird dbaird@metroland.com | 289-293-0624 Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara cohara@metroland.com | 289-293-0615 Regional Manager Digital Content Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman kmossman@metroland.com | 905-631-6095 Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia http://www.mediacouncil.ca mailto:editor@oakvillebeaver.com mailto:kmossman@metroland.com mailto:kmontague@metroland.com mailto:dbaird@metroland.com mailto:cohara@metroland.com mailto:kmossman@metroland.com