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rrs P ry 1.!' i ý' - - Ooo WeilTes eded aýye Imber1, ,1998 Sântaying ing Touc h by John O'Toole, MPP The past couple of weeks 1 have dedicated rnost of mny article to the debate around Bill 56, the creation of the Greater Toronto Services Board. For the record, the new board does flot have extensive powers. This legisiation silnply allows two things to happen: 1) to promote and facilitate co- ordinated decision-making among the municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area 2) to exercise general direction and control over GT Transit and allocate costs of GT Transit in accordance with the Act. Note: GT Transit is the new name for GO Transit. 1 was able to ensure two important amendments were included in the legisiation. Before the year 2000, the new GTS Board shall conduct a review of its size, its member- ship and its powers and.report to the Government. The amendment will provide an opting out provision by mem- bers of council passing resolu- tions. Furthermore, rural and agricultural.strategies mnust be reflected in what is referred to as a countryside plan. As 1 have said ail along, local municipal councils wilI have to decide if they want to be part'of the GTSB or exam- ine the opting out provision. Durham Region and local municipalities can no longer blame the Provincial Government for their being included or excluded from the dynamic synergy of the Greater Toronto Area. Bill 70, the highway 407 legislation passed last week. This is another example of the Durham Region lobbying suc- cessfuliy for the extension of this highway'across Toronto to come into the Durham Region. Other highway improvements requested are the lane expan- sions and interchange improve- ments on highway 401 east into Durham- It is strange that Durham wants all the connec- tions to Toronto but stili insists that they want no part of the- GTSB. Our Minister of Health Elizabeth Witmer announced $8.7 million for Durham hospi- tais. Lakeridge Health Port Perry/ Uxbridge will receive $497,87.00, Lakeridge Health Bowmanville will receive $1,231,607.00 while Lakeridge Health Oshawa will receive S5,201,121.00. The hospital funding will arrive before, Christmas and assist with restructuring and year 2000 computer comrpliance. Agriculture Minister Noble Villeneuve has responded quickly to thie recent crisis -1n agriculture. The fundinig will ensure farm in1comIe over, a three-year period wiIl not fal below 70%. The controversy surround- ing the wrongful dismnissal case between Ms. Sandi Thompson and former Speaker AI McLean has ail the -ingredients for. a media hay day. 1 have received over 25 calis and ail are opposed to, any pay out of tax- payer money. 1 arn writing a letter to the current Speaker requesting that the Board of Internai Economy develop poli- dîes and procedures to deal with this type of situation. Along witlî rniy other volun- teers, 1 attended the festive din- ner for the needy held Iast Friday evenii.g Viv Woolford had the idea as a Wvay to ce le- brate the reIlnory of the late Carson Elliot. Carson was an enthusiastie and generous per- son. This sDould become an annual event and a great time of year to celebrate our com- rnunity and ail the people, like Carson, who bave touched oth- er' s lives With generosity. Thank you tp everyone who participated hli this community event. Smoking Would you like to quit smoking? Would you like to help a friend quit? There is information, to help. Like Quit 4 Life, a website (quit4life.com) for teenage smokers who really want to quit. Materials are also available on smoking prevention and second-hand smoke. Alcohol and Other-Drugs What are drugs? Why do people use them? How do they affect your life? Even if yo u don't drink or use drugs, you probably know someone wvho does. WVe have information to help peers and youth groups deal wvith alcohol and otherdrug-related issues. Nutrition How you feel about yourself is ve ry important. Good nutrition 'is ail about m'aking healthy food choices and achieving and maintaining a healthy wveight. N Northcutt EIiott EFuneral Home THOUGHTFULNESS, SERVICE & CONCERN A Family Owned Business, Offering: Traditional F uneral Services Prearranged & Prepaid Services - Cremnation Arrangements Alternatives to Traditional Funerais - Out of Town Shipping CORY KUIPERS - PRESIDENT 53 Division Street Bowmanville, Ontario LI C 2Z 623-5668 OFF STREET PARKING Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Ecting can help you make the right decisions so that you feel good about yourself. Fitness and Active Living Being active is another thing that can help you feel really good about yourself. Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living can help you make choices about physic'al ctivity - choices that are right for you. For information on these and other Health Canada publications, please cali: 1-800-OCanada (1-800-622-6232) TTY: 1-800-465-7735 Or visit us at: www.canada.gc.ca Canadiî Yeah, I wa nt to, feel- good. ForEiofe 1No one likes to be told what to do. But you decide.