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Omno W.e~TIp~a, W.dnssduy~ F.bniury O~ 1994 - Q"ueen's Park Report from Gord Milis, MPP Durham East This past week, my mail has included the petition that has appeared in some local medical offices, under the heading, "Prevention First". I don't mind receiving any petition, il is'the right of people te bring concerns to the attention 'of their lected officials. What I do object 10 though, is wording contained in a petition that doesnt reflect fact, or in this particular case, just isn't the truffi. I arn speaking about the Une in this particular petition that states "The government wants 10 delist periodic health exarninations." Let me explain the true facts. Recenîly, the President of the Ontario Medical Association, Dr. Tom Dickson said most people don't need a complete physical checkup every year. This comment was in response to a list of 19 procedures the health ministry and the Ontario Medical Association have suggested be cul from 0H11>, which included some curtailment of annual checkups for those over 15 years of age. The Joint Management Committee bas established a review panel to study the list of the 19 listed procedures, who will base ils recommendations on both scientific literature and public comment. The Ministry of HeaIIh and the Ontario Medical Association agreed in August mhat government and physicians must work together to improve management of health care resources, while at the saine time recognizing the importance of public participation. 0f interest, when the list of the 19 procedures under examination was published, the proposai 10 restrict medical exarninations, which would effect most people - drew the least reaction! My point in reaction t0 the "Prevention First" petitioners is, at NO TIME has die Minister of Health or any member of the provincial government for that matter, -ever said we wanîte delist periodic health examinations. In fact, the Minister of Health, the Hlonourable Ruth Grier, has vowed that the public wil decide whether Ontario should stop paying for annual health exams. The President of the Ontario Medical Association has also called that if there are items the public can agree aren't necessary, then cutting them from 0H11> coverage is a way te save health care services which is Most important. It is of course fashionable 10 blame the NDP Goverament of Ontario for just about anything, including static dling and the cohd weather. To combat this phenomena, I will be sending a copy of mhis portion of my column .1l doctors in the, riding. --flopefully, they will give it as much focus as they have 10 the petitions. In last week's column, I blid you that if the present federal government continues to treat Ontario as unfairly as the Conservatives did, il w ill have cost us $7-billion from 1990 10 1994. When citizen s'across the country are treated fairly and equitably, Canada works well. We have suffered discrimination at the hands of a Conservative federal government that no other province in this country had to bear. Consider the record: Ail provinces used to have 50 p er cent of their social assistance costs covered by Ottawa under the Canada Assistance Plan - and almost ahl stili do. But beginning in 1990, Ottawa capped its support to Ontario and now pays just 29 per cent of the province's social assistance costs. Ontario taxpayers have had to pay the difference. The bill for 1994-95 alone, if Conservative policy towards Ontario is allowed 10 stand: $1.7 billion.- -Ottawa spends 27 per cent of its training budget in Ontario. But Ontario has 38 per cent of the national and 36 per cent of Canada's unemployed. If Ontario received funding that matched its workforce, it would receive about $370 million more i 1994-95. O Ontario currently welcomes about 55 per cent of Canada's immigrants. But our province receives only 38 per cent of federal funding for their setulement and training. Fundîng based on the level of help which applies in the rest of Canada would provide Ontario with about $110 million more in 1994-95. - Add up these figures, plus the extra interest Ontario has had bo pay on ils deficit to cover this shortfail. The bill: $2.7 billion in 1994-95, should Conservative policy toward Ontario be allowed to stand. This would be in addition to a shortfall of $6.8 billion in interest and transfers accumulated since 1990-91. This is, in effect, a huge penalty imposed on the people of Ontario. 0f ahl the jobs lost in the downturn, almost 70 per cent were in Ontario. When Ontario prospers, that helps the rest of Canada. That's why federal policies and practices that have discriminated against Ontarians are so wrong. Ontario will continue to coniribute generously and with pride to the well-being of the rest of Canada. But we must be treated fairly in the process. The NDP govemnment and the taxpayers have been put on the hook for billions of dollars. This would have been unfair in a thriving economny, during the recession il has been crippling. I hope this has helped you 10 understand the difficult turnes we have been asked to govern in. Ilm looking for change coming from the new federal government. If they don't treat us fairly, the Mulroney policies will on11Y become the Chretien policies. Say it isn't 50 . .. Jean. Until next week - "When patterns are broken, new worlds can emerge." Can renew vehicle plates, for two years Vehicle owners now have the o)ption of renewing their passenger and light commercial plates for a two year period. Bri efs It could well bc said that the council chambers in the Clarington, Administrative building is, these days, as cold as a barn and that it is. Those attending the counicil meeting on Monday all continued wearing thieir coats. The Ontario Municipal Board that started hearings on the applications for commercial devehopment in Bowmanville have moved the hearing to die Regional Building in Whitby due 10 the cold in the council chambers. The members of council met until after eight p.m. on Monday with the regular starting time of 9:30 a.m. The session went mbt the evening with a debate on hast minute requests froin Mark- borough Development seeking further concessions as 10 their proposai. On this issue the council was split, again, with Councs. Hannah, Novak and O'Toole supporting furîher concessions whihe Councs. Dreslinski, Scott and Mayor Hamre holding 10 recommendations from the municipahities' planning depart- ment. The planning departments recommendations were upheld. The Municipality wil continue in ils recent policy of not erecting'snow fence. The practice has been discontinued in 91, 92 and 93 and will again be discontinued in 1994. To now purchase new snow fence which would be required, $157,895 and for erection and removal, $55,193, the total cost wouhd settle-in aI $213,088. The Municipality wil consîruct a sidewalk along the Regional Road 10 the Newtenvilie Public School this year at a cost of $50,000. Students have been walking to school along a portion of the roadside where no sidewalk has existed. The committee of council Newaste DE.IA.hold annual meet Desigfn/]Build process outlined by councillor The Newcastle Village construction is being undertaken Downtown Business Improve- through a Design/Build procedure ment Area group held their and for this procedure council annual meeting and banquet with had approved the hiring of a close 10 twenty-five in consultant. attendance. The meeting was held The consultant has outllned in the Lions Room of the the procedure to be followed in Newcastle Community Hall. DesignlBuild, prepared the proper Mr. Ron Hope was re-elected documents and held a pre- as president for the association. tendering meeting with Mr. John Bugelli was elected contractors interested in being treasurer while Mrs. Maureen part of the process. Mumford was re-elected as Counc. Dreslinski said over secretary. one hundred took out bid Due 10 the storm the guest documents with forty teams speaker, Detective Jim Adams of submitting tenders for the project Division 16, Bowmanville, was estirnated to cost $1.2 million. unable t0 attend coming from The committee using prede- Toronto for the m'eeting. termined scori ng of the bids has Councillor Ann Dreslinski short-listed the number to five. informed the meeting that the The councillor also said that municipalityhad engaged an under Design/Build it does Economic Development Offîcer, become costly to make changes Todd Letts. She said since his during construction. appointment he has visited The councillor told the Newcastle Village and intends te meeting that they would hear make other visits in the near comments te the fact that a local, future. contractor had not been selected The councillor said that the but she said that council did Regional Police are becoming approve of the Design/Build involved in what is community procedure and the hiring of the policing. She said that bicycle consultant for the project. She patrols will be instituted in said the procedure had been Bowmanville, Newcastle Village followed. and Orono this year. The committec includes staff Through financial support fromn Community Services, the from the Bowmanville, New- planning department, purchasing castle and Orono Downtown department, the acting CEO, fire' Business Associations die police department and council departinent has been able t0 outfit representatives Ken Hoope-r and officers for bike patrols, il was Ann Dreslinski. said. Councillor Dreslinski said police want to become more familiar in the communities. The councillor took some time to outline the procedure followed for the construction of the new Fire Station in Bowmanville which is being financed by Ontario Hydro and is to be completed before January 1, 1995. It was stated that the recommends to council that an application from Becas Development Ltd. to purchase a portion of the unopened road beîween lots- 18 and 19, concession 5 in the former Township of Clarke be denied. <'The ' Clarke WConnection S More than a store A unique experience ONE 01'A KEND HAND-MADE CANADIANCRAFTS POTTERT - WOOD - SILKS - TOTS AND lUCH MUCH MORE MAIN SEET, ORONO L83-931 TUlES. -FRI. 11to 6 SAT. 9 t5 COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUP SITING TASK FORCE ~ Low-level Radioactive Waste Management GROUP DE LIAISON COMMUNAUTAIRE GROUP DE TRAVAIL Choix dun site de gestion desdéchets faiblement radioactifs The Clarlngton Technical Worki ng Group - Remnedial Action Plan (Dtg and Move Commlttee) The Technical Working Group <Clarington> meets every Tuesday evening at: Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: Clarington Community Liaison Resource Centre Village of Newcastle Consultant: Dr. David DuBois, Golder Assoc. Ltd. This meeting is called to discuss the draft discussion document. This draft discussion document has been prepared to assist the TWG (RAP) in selecting appropriate remedial technologies for the decommissioning of the Port Granby Waste Management FacilIty. For further Information cal! Dana Kerr 987-7786 mmmmmumi