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Staying In Touch John O'Toole Durham East MPP Students, teachers and provincial politicians will have a vacation this week. March break is a tradition which causes some relief and some controversy every year. It is a time to rellect on this break and realize its intended pur- pose. Many of us will argue that we need the break, while others will argue that they need a break as well. I con- sider this as preparation time for the next semester of busi- ness. I know in my situation, I will use the time to relax and prepare to participate in the heavy schedule of public meetings which I will be par- ticipating in around the province. Imight add that our constituency office will be in full operation. Bill 103, "An Act to replace the seven existing municipal govemments of Metropolitan Toronto by incorporating a new municipality to be known as the City of Toronto", has completed public hearings. The Megacity debate and informal referendum has caused your provincial gov- ernment to examine proposed amendments to the legisla- tion. I know there will be amendments. We have heard important input and recog- nize that people do accept that changes must be made, while at the same time they do not want their taxes to go up. What has made this leg- islation so confusing to the public, is that some people have lumped in a number of other pieces of legislation in the debate. Several of the pro- posed pieces of legislation resulting from the Crombie, Who does What exercise have made the cost of providing services more uncertain. Naturally, people cannot fìrm- ly decide'in favour of change, without understanding the cost of these changes. Simply stated, if the province is removing education's $5.4 billion from your municipal tax base, it should not trans- fer any more than $5.4 to the municipalities. From what I have heard, human services like welfare should remain primarily funded by the province. Keep in mind, that Bill 103 is not the same issue as the transfer of funding issue. At the end of the day, we must ensure that local services are paid for locally and provincial services are spread over the provincial tax base. Bill 106, which deals with Municipal finance assessment reform, is the place to start, so that every- one pays their fair share. We must also eliminate duplica- tion at every levîel. Hospital restructuring or the Health Services Restructuring Commission lead by Dr. Duncan Sinclair has made their report on the Toronto hospitals. The com- mission has made recom- mendations for many other areas around the province and will visit Durham in April. Dr. Sinclair has stated, and I quote, there are too many hospitals and too many doctors in Ontario. Michael Strofolino, President of the Hospital for Sick Children said in the Globe & Mail on February 28th, "hospitals do not equal health care despite the tumult and anxiety that changes bring, this hospital supports the restructuring of the health-care system that is under way". This, like all change, is an emotional issue. We must have a system that provides high quality health services for all Ontarians in the right place at a price we can afford. I read in the paper today, of the decline in jobs despite low interest rates. I am of the view that governments, by them- selves, can do little to create jobs. At the same time, when I look at government regula- tions and inhibitors to job creation, I realize that CPP, Employment Insurance and WCB premiums are taxes on jobs. Many employers are reluctant to create a new job and would prefer to extend overtime, contract and employ people part time rather than open a new posi- tion. The federal governments position on increasing the CPP premiums without con- sidering the surplus in the EI fund is a mistake. Our gov- ernment believes that more taxes and regulations drive small business under ground with the net result in loss of income to themselves. Safety in our nuclear plant, especially in Durham, is important to every one of us. Ontario Hydro's nuclear plants are licensed and regu- lated by the federal govern- ment's Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB). The recent court decision to release the peer review reports to the public, has recently been questioned in the legislature. The peer reviews are internal audits and have always been addressed internally. In fact, Ontario Hydro has put in place, a team of world wide experts to continually review safety issues. Nuclear energy is a very technical -area and must always be in confor- mance with the world's high- est industry standards. Public safety is a fundamental government responsibility and the public does have the right to know. Melissa Semplonius, a grade 8 student from Knox Christian School, is the fourth Legislative Page cho- sen from Durham East. Melissa's experience during this "Mega" session of the leg- islature has been a memo- rable experience. Contact my constituency office to find out how to apply for this wonder- fuI educational experience. THOSE NOMATIC WAXWINGS I am sure we have had a group of Cedar Waxwings that have wintered with us and have survived the vigors of these last couple of months. It was some weeks ago that I sighted the group while ski- ing in the Forestry lands near the Wlmot Creek. At the time they were feeding on the fruit of Highbush Cranberry that is noted as one of the sources of wildlife winter food. This encounter with the Waxwings was noted in the Times. A few days later Dorothy Robinson told us that she had seen a flock of Cedar Waxwings at her place. Whether or not it was the same group I saw would depend only on speculation but it is possible. The dis- tance apart if not that far. One morning the forepart of last week when walking downtown I sighted some thirty Cedar Waxwings across from the Robinsons feasting on thé fruit of a Red Cedar. Coming home an hour and half later the same group had moved south a block and as before were searching out fruit from another Red Cedar bush. This wasn't the end of our sighting of Cedar Waxwings however. On Friday, late afternoon, we again encountered these nomadic birds at the end of our excursioh on skis through the tree nursery lands. Sinc( 1982 Authorized Sales & Service Centre for: Fortunately we do take our binoculars on such outings and we did have the opportu- nity to put them in use with three red breasted birds perched on leaf-less limbs. of course it was three Robins and their breasts are quite red at this time of year. But the activity in the tree was not over. A flight of Cedar Waxwings dropped in along with two more Robins and another flight of Cedar Waxwings. The count on the Waxwngs was over fifty. A source of food had to nearby and it suited both species. WATERFOWL AT PRESQUILE They are preparing lor the annual influx of thousands of waterfowl at Presquile Point. It is quite an attraction and there are knowledgeable bird- ers present to give a hand in IDs and the use of Vewng Scopes. Join the flock at the Provincial Park from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. on March 28, 29 and 30 as well as April 5 and 6. Since 1975 623-97111 Ontafio434-94281 • Camcorders • VCR's . • Microwaves • TV's • Accessories • Stereo Systems • Telephones • Top 100 CD's & Tapes [ L. ±~I MI ...iM kI' E . . E kI ~ 1%rT VfNIi '