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

Queen's Park'Report from Gord Mlis, MPP Durhamn East Last week, the Progressive Conservatives at Queen's Park, wbo sit on the Standing Committee of General Goverument dealt the seniors at Wilmot Creek a devastating blow. Tbe government bad given tbe committee tbree days to deal witb Bill 21, An Act to amend certain Acts with respect to Land Leases. Two days bad been assigned 10 hearing from tbe public, and the tbird day was given 10 dealing witb tbe Bll, clause-by-clause, to be reported to the Legisiature for 3rd Reading in tbe upcoming Spring Session. On Thursday, the Conservative members on tbe committee, prevented movement on any of tbe amendments, tbereby stopping tbe Bill from proceeding to 3rd Reading. Since tbe passage of Ibis Bill would have had a direct favourable financial impact, not only for tbose seniors aI Wilmot Creek but also i otber areas of the riding, I can only imagine bow upset everyone must be. This, coming on top of tbe recent decision by tbe Rent Review Board that saw increases of almost 25% for tbe residenîs of Wilmot Creek, is positively the last straw. Once again, the Provincial Conservatives showed tbeir true colours - business interests must be protected aI ail costs, neyer mind the human suffering that Ibeir ideology causes, even to senior citizens. Tbey say, imitation is the best form of flattery. Our Govemment was the first govemnment, federal or provincial, 10 bring budget consultations t0 tbe people. Wben politicians mention tbe words "provincial budget" people react in a number of ways. Some people yawn 10 signal tbeir boredom. Qîbers look embarrassed as if they feel tbey don't know enougb about tbe subj ect to speak witb any authority. And there are Ibose wbose first reaction 15 10 say "don't raise my taxes" or "don't you dare toucb our bealtb care". Most people know Ibat government budgets involve important decisions about tbeir money and tbe services tbey gel for thatmoney. The budget lays out the blueprint for tbe next year - il says wbat the governiment is going to do asd bow il is going to do it. Tbe budget also affects e-v tryone li tbe province - be lbey young or old, rich or poor. Every year since tbe NDP 100k office, we've taken steps 10 include more ordinary citizens in tbe budget-making exercise. My colleague, tbe Minister of Finance Floyd Laugbren, bas been cbanging the way his departinent goes about getting advise on tbe budget. Before we took office, tbe people wbo were involved in pre- budget consultations were most often powerful obby groups Ibat met in one-on-one closed-door meetings witb the Minister. Today, bowever, the Minis ter bosts a series of round-table forums wbere -people from various groups, often witb different opinions, meet 10 discuss and argue about the best way to deal with an issue. While some of tbese groups are still powerful; otbers are less well known and bave less money - but ail of tbem gel a -chance 10 offer their ideas. People have to1d me it~s easier for them 10 offer ideas wben tbey understand wbat is bappening in the province. Tbey wanî 10 know about Ontario's priorities and wbat progress the government bas made on tbese premises. Tbey wanî 10 know wbat predictions there are for tbe economy in tbe next year, and tbe govemment's financial situation. Personally, I am optiînistic as 1 look aI the opportunities facing us in Ibis budget. I don't bave 10 te11 you tbat tbings bave been very tougb for -us. But we are beginning to see some reasons for optimism. The economy continues t0 grow stronger. Jobs are being created. Direct provincial capital investment of $6.6 billion Ibis year alone bas Iranslaîed mbt 62,000 jobs for Ontarians. The foundations are being laid for sustained economic growtb. Tbe fiscal ouîlook is improving. The deficit will bc on a gradual downward Irack because of difficult decisions We made in 1993. We bope for a better working relationsbip witb the new federal government. But tbe Governmenî of Ontario must keep aI il - stopping wasteful spending and making public services more effective and affordable - wbile supporîing jobs. In my column next week, I will'be Ielling you about our government's priorities for 1994. 1 will also be asking you some tougb questions, sucb as bow you would meet the challenges we face as your governmenî. I will look forward 10 your letters, telling me how you see Ibings bave 10 be done. Ail your suggestions or ideas will find their way directly 10 tbe Minister of Finance, that I can and will, guarantee. Tbis week, Ibere are no standing committees in session. The Cabinet are on tbeir retreal in Barrie. On Monday I will be at the Queen's Park television studio, recording a program on photo-radar and another on our Environmental Bill of Rights. On Tuesday, I am meeting witb tbe Minister of Transport and local municipal politicians aItbe Good Roads Convention in Toronto. On the same day, 1 amn also meeting with Ministry of Healtb officials in my pursuits of a commitment for a cancer radiation Irealment centre at Oshawa General Hospital. On Wednesday I will bu at Port Perry Communiîy Hospital, touring the newly constructed ambulaîory centre, followed by a tour of the Community Nursing Home, witb the Parliamentary Assistant to tbe Minisîer of Healtb, Paul Wessenger, MIPP Simcoe Centre. On Tbursday, 1 will be in Port Perry again, between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at tbe Scugog Employment Services Office, to share wîth the clients' somne of My life experiences, as they relate 10t job searches. Ail day Fniday as usual I will bu aItbe constituency office OBITUARY DONALD VINKLE Donald Vinide died suddenly, January 17, 1994, in Bowmanvile Memorial Hospital, at 82. Don was born in 1911, in Olden Township, Frontenac, Kingston and was educated in Sharbot Lake, Ontario. He was the son of the late Hess and Johanna Vinkie. He moved to Newtonville where he lived for 51 years and li October, 1949, be married Mary Burley. Don was employed for many years on maintenance with tbe Canadian Pacific Railway until bis retirement, 20Oyears ago. Don's special interests included gardening, fishing, hunting and carpentry. He took great pride in his garden and always looked forwr1 to tbe fal when be would join the feliows for the hunt. 1He was often seen quietly walking, genuinely enjoying everything he saw. His true passion was t0 watch tbings grow whetber it was his garden, a trce, or a cbild. He loved to listen to tbe children. Most will remnember Don as a person with a quiet demeanour who was always'ready to lend a helping band 10 family, friends and neighbours. Don was survived by bis wife Mary, bis Aunt Maggie Vinkie (105 years), niece JoAnne Hedges and nepbew Paul Vinkie both of Belleville, and four great nephews and nieces. Also survived by brotbers-in-law and- sisters-in-law Ronald and Marg Burley, Florence and Earle McEwen, Harold and Marion in Bowmanville. Last week, an'irate constituent sent me a rather nasty letter which blamed the Premier for allowing a certain movie to be aired on City TV - is there no mercy left out there at ail? Until next week - friends do corne and go - enemies just accumulate! Burley, Audrey and Clarence Gilmer, Keitb and Jas Burley and 16 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nepbews. To many of these be was a very special man. Don was a member of Newtonville United Cburcb. He was also a member of tbe Florence Nigbtingale Lodge, No. 66, I.O.O.F., Bowmasviile for 40 years. 1 Palîbearers were Wallace Bougben, Dave Jury, Brian Caswell, Reid Wood, Trueman Henderson asd Harold Best. Family and friends called at the Morris Funeral Chapel in Bowmanville on January 19, 1994 and the funeral service was beld from Newtonville United Cburcb on Jasuary 20, 1994 with, spring interment at Newtonville Lakeview Cemetery. Reverend David Black officiated and Mary Caswell supplied tbe music. Zoo Keeper and Iringa meet again Nick Rensinck, Port Perry, the Metro Zoo Keeper, wbo was badly gored by an enraged elephant early November expects bo be back to work on light duty tbis spring. Mr. Rensnick was thrown across the elephant holding area and gored a number of times before being rescued.- He bas been in hospital for tbree montbs. He said there is nobard feelings. Ground broken for non-profit housing The ground has been broken for a Non-Profit Housing project in Port Hope. The project will include 49 units costing $4.9 million. it bas taken five years to fin alize tbe project along witb its funding. 20% to50% OFF jackets, caps, hockey equipmnent, skates etc. SPORTS SHIOF 121 KING ST. E. 623-0322 NEW LOCATION (atter Mar. 1 st) 58 KING ST. W. -,,a unique shopping eVperience - STERLING SILVER JEWVELLERY PEWVTER *BASKETS * GOURMET AND MUCH MUCH MO)RE 5331 MAIN STREET, ORONO 983-9847 TUES. - SAT. 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.m. SUN.& MON. BY CHANCE