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10-OooWel Tms ensaOctober 23, 1996 Rainy Day At Bowmanville's Apple Fest United Aggregates needed development permits at Niagara Escarpment quarry The rain couldn't keep the crowds away from Bowmanville's Apple Fest. Apple turnovers, apple crepes, apple cider, apple pie; if it was made with apples, it was there. There were also a few unique dis- plays to be seen. Perhaps the best was the Chain Saw Sculptures done by Peter Mogensen. Peter was busy most of the day, carving away and creating his wooden masterpiece. Here he is working on a seated bear (the standing bear was an earlier demonstration). Government Planning to Eliminate Physical and Health Education from High School Recent actions make it clear that the Goverriment of Ontario does not value the contribution that Physical and Health Education makes to the healthy development of young people. The discussion paper released by the Ministry of Education and Training last month enti- tled Excellence in Education: High School Reform totally elim- inates Physical and Health Education as a compulsory part of the curriculum, and a new standardized Report Card that is being pilot tested in schools throughout the province does not list Physical and Health Education as a subject area. Yet, there is growing evi- dence to suggest that Ontario's youth are experiencing a health crisis. Research indicates that in the past 15 years, the preva- lence of obesity has increased by more than 40% in youth aged 12 to 17, and that 40% of Canadian children have at least one risk factor for heart disease - reduced fitness due to an inactive lifestyle. Furthermore, the Addiction Research Foundation reported that 41% of grade 11 students smoked cigarettes in 1995, and 40% used cannabis. These negative health-related trends can be reversed if Physical and Health Education is compulsory. Curriculum- based Physical and Health Education programs provide young people with opportuni- ties to develop the necessary attitudes, knowledge, and skills to adopt a healthy active lifestyle. Researchi indicates that lifestyle patterns adopted in youth often continue into adulthood and thereby influ- ence long-term prospects for health and the risk of chronic disease. There are a myriad of bene fits to be realized by providing a required Physical and Health Education credit for each grade at the Secondary School level. For example, daily physical activity reduces risk of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, certain types of cancers, and non- insulin dependent diabetes. Physical activity has also been shown to enhance academic performance and reduce depression. In addition, studies in the United States have demonstrated that school health education programs can have a significant impact on reducing the incidence of smok- ing, sexually transmitted dis- eases, teen-age pregnancy, child abuse, and drug abuse among students. Even though the Govemment of Ontario does not recognize the importance of Physical and Health Education in high school, there is strong support from the public. In a 1991 Gallup pol, 71% of the Canadian population supported implementing 30 minutes of Physical Education every day in schools. There is also strong support for Physical and Health Education outside of Ontario, and Canada. For example, in a report released on physical activity and health in July 1996, the United States Surgeon General suggests that "school-based interventions for youth are particularly promis- ing" as a cost-effective inter- vention to increase physical activity levels. According to the Surgeon General, "childhood and adolescence may thus be pivotal times for preventing sedentary behaviour among adults by maintaining the habit of physical activity throughout the school years. School-based interventions have been shown United Aggregates Limited (UAL) must seek a development permit from the Niagara Escarpment Commission to take or discharge water at its expanded quarry, Environment and Energy Minister Norm Sterling confirmed. The approval requirements corne in the form of an amend- ment to Regulation 828 under the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act. The amendment also states that development permits are nec- essary for buildings and other structures involved in aggregate to be successful i n increasing physical activity levels. With evidence that success in this arena is possible, every effort should be made to encourage schools to require daily physical education in each grade and to promote physical activities that can be enjoyed throughout life." With the exception of the Government of Ontario, there appears to be strong support for compulsory Physical and Health Education in high schools. If Excellence in Education: High School Reform and the Report Card are indi- cators of this Government's interest in the health and well- being of young people, the future generation of adults in Ontario will not by healthy enough to enjoy the thriving economy that the Progressive Conservatives are so desperate- ly trying to achieve by balancing their books. In fact, if the trends are not reversed, the future generation of adults will likely cost the Govemment bil- lions of dollars more in direct health care costs, than they are currently slashing from their budget. production at the UAL site in Halton Hills. "This amendment shows the Ontario goverriment's firm com- mitment to pr tect the Niagara Escarpment," Mr. Sterling said. "I have listened to the concerns raised by the public and this consultation has helped us pro duce an amendment that will serve Ontarians well. "As the minister responsible for introducing the first Niagara Escarpment Plan, I am no stranger to issues that being the environment into conflict with economic development," Mr. Sterling added. "We need a sound balance between the two. But if it comes to a choice, then protecting the environment takes priority." Regulation 828, which dates back to June 1975, lists activi- tics on the escarpment that do not require a development per- mit. The final amendment addresses public comment made to a draft amendment released Aug. 9. This amendment comes into effect immediately. It clarifies and puts into law approval requirernents used by the Niagara Escarpment Commission prior to a recent appeals court ruling. The court ruled that quarry operations licensed prior to June 1975 require a development permit for all quarry activities, includ ing new work within their exist- ing licenses. Under the amendment, the only activities not requiring a development permit are those directly related to the produc- tion of aggregate on land licensed as a pit or quarry before June 10, 1975 and oper- ated continuously since that date. These activities include: the removal and stockpiling of overburden; the construction of berms; the blasting, excavation, crushing and washing of aggre- gate; and the hauling from a licensed site. A development permit is required for any quarry activity involving the taking of water and its discharge into the envi- ronment, and for the construc- tion of buildings or structures needed for the quarry. "I believe the changes we propose to Regulation 828 are fair to the company and fair to the community," Mr. Sterling said. "And they are a big win for the protection of the Niagara Escarpment. "United Aggregates Limited has a legal right to operate a quarry on its site," he added. "However, it will be required to obtain a development permit for the taking and discharge of water, and for any structures needed for the quarry opera- tion. "The company is well aware of the process. It has applied for, and received. development permits in the past." FRESEIAR