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Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, March 6,1i996 - 3 40 4 40 40 40 40 40, 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 4040 40 4 40 40 GUESSWHO' S 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 Last Friday, Memorial Hospital received the long- awaited news of its funding allocation from the Ontario Ministry of Health. The Ministry letter advised that transfer payments to the hos- pital will be reduced by 4% for a total of $650,000. Hospital staff and adminis- tration have already been working on cost-saving strategies in anticipation of the cuts. As a resuit, CR0 Tom Schonberg reports that "these savings, in conjunction with staffing adjustments, W111 be adequate to meet our first year funding reductions." Schonberg also confirms that no clinical programs will be climinated in this fiscal year. In last fall's mini budget, Ontario hospitals were told to prepare for a three-year fund- ing cutback, totalling 18% (on average). In past, the funding increases were ba-scd on a percentage that was set by the health ministry. For the 1996/97 year, the reductions were calculated on the basis of a funding formula that con- tained no adjustments for fac- tors such as population growth. When news of the pending_ restraints became public, sev- enteen hospitals (including Memnorial Hospital - Bowmanville) in the higli- grown GTA/905 area code met to discuss strategies for coping with reduced health care dollars. The group worked in conjunction with area MPPs, the Ontario Hospital Association and the Ministry of Iealth to, develop a funding formnula that would recognize growth as a factor in funding decision-making. Their efforts were recognized last Frîday as Jim Wilson, Minister 1 of Health, announced that $25 million dollars will be made available as special growth funding to 40 40 40 40 40 4Ô 40 4040 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 ~~:i 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 assist hospitals in higli popu- lation growth areas. 'We're pleased that our efforts have been recognized," says Tom Schonberg, "and we will continue to work with the OHA and the Ministry of Health to promote recognition of high growth within the funding formula." Schonberg indicated that the GTA/905 group. is- prcsently in discussion with the OUA and the Ministry of Health to determine how the $25 million will be distribut- ed. Mayor Speaks On Success 0f Public Meetings Clarington Mayor Diane Hainre lias felt that'the pub- lic meetings bcing hcld on the GTA have been a great suc- ccss. I think they have becn going cxtremely wcll. Whcn you look at the tumnout at the public meetings it's obvious that the people do want a say. Ive always found that. with this community, the people are always involved in cvery- thing." There have been two meetings so far; another is scheduled in Mardi at the Rickard, Complex in Bowmanville.. Mayor Hamrc lias been working tirelessly with repre- sentatives of the Region on the looming GTA. 'They don't want any part of it," says Hamre. The region voted 26- 1 against j oining the Greater Toronto Council. The public meetings have been very informative to the people who have attended. "When you explain about the shared industrial/ comme r- cial assessment across the Region, most people did not realize." FRom CAPITL HILL Alex Shepherd Would doing away with the Young Offenders Act (YOA) somehow do away with youth crime., Break-mns, vandalism, street gangs and drugs seem to becoming more prevalent. Many people assume the YOA is the cause of these crimes because of lax sentencing, and thc empliasis placed on the riglits of the offender. 1In Durham approximately 3 per cent of the population between 12 and 18 have had charges laid against them under the YOA. I guess, after reading s0 many headlines about youth crime, there is some cause for celebration that 97 percent of our youth in that age bracket hasn't had a run in with the law. After taking a dloser look 've come to the conclusion youth crime isn't the fault of the YOA at all but the administration of the Act which is provincial jurisdiction. Ycs, the Act is long on the rights of young offenders. And it provides legal aid, at no cost to the.parentsorthe offender, even thougli there are provisions for fines. The Act is a make-work project for lawyers at our expense. Some cases take as long as eighteen months to clear the court system, not because they are complicated, but because there is no percentage in quick settiement. One commonality between young offenders seems to be parental neglect. Perhaps the State should step in and fill the vacuum left by parents and provide discipline and understanding too. There is nothing in the YOA to prevent judges from requiring a young offender to attend Boot Camp or pick fruit. There are those who would react negatively to this suggestion. My contention is that some military experience would teacli young offenders the importance of working together to attain common goals. The training would also instill motivation and the meaning of achievement. Obviously putting them behind bars isn't the answer. Young offenders who are incarcerated, 'm told, reoffend 85 per cent of the time. WC are wtnessing the natural exuberance, and misdirected energy of youth. This coupled with working and single parents, spending most of their time trying to make ends meet, instead of making more time for their children is a large part of the problem. Repealing the YOA isn't going to change this reality. 1 will be working hard to address YOA issues that are clearly with federal jurisdiction. For example 1 think the age 18 is too high to be protected under the YOA. This should be lowered to 16. At the other end I think the age should be lowered to 10 from 12. There is one section of the Act which states that a conviction and sentencing of young offenders shouldn't be too "intrusive". This lias no practical application in our society that wants to correct negative behaviour. Dealing with youth crime will take mucli more than simply tearing up a few pieces of legisiation. Changes to the YOA are needed and 1 will address these changes before the Justice Committee. But there is also a need for change within the administration of our courts if change is to be effective. And this lies with the realm of our legislators at Queen's Park. advertising ises net cest yeu lieney rieney 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 YEARS YOUNG TODAY. FROM A FRIEND FOR 35 YEARS LOVE LS. 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