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8 - OÔn9WeldTil es, Wedniesday, March 17, l1999 New beds for hospitals Jenny Walhout welcomed. as new executive direct or On Mardi 8th Big Brothers of Clarington wrelcomed Jenny Walhout as the new Executive Director of the agency. A long Urne resident of Bowmanvllle, she has been involved with children in the school system for the past twelve years. Her experlence as a grief support facilitator and hospice volun- teer will prove valuable to her work at Big Brothers. She believes that kcids are 1Hospital' s Volunteer Association recently donated $27,5000 to Lake Ridge Health Bowmnanville for five new electric beds, and one stretcher. Front row is Nurse Ruby Vir gin, Clinical Leader - SurgerylPediatrics. Second row, left to right - Gwen Chamber, Jean Evans, Joan Mairs, Aun Bons. Back row - June Hunter, Doug James Lois Adamns, Namnes and faces of Hospital Auxillary mnembers have changed since Memorial Hospital opened its doors ini 1913. The mission of the Auxillary (now the Voluniteer Association) is to assist Memorial Hospital (now Lake Ridge Healtb Bowmanville) in every possible way in the interest of quality patient care through education, fundraising and volunteer services. &TeaRo the bottom line of the organi- zation. "My goal is to see_ an increase in the number of Big & Little Matches in Clarington this year, as well as promot- ing the In-Schôoo Mentorlng Progrant" The Board encour- ages Jenny, to pursue recrut ý ment as a focus, while devel- oping prograras for children that m eet the changlng needs of our community. _."arge asssorment of handmade chocolate Faster bunnies -made from pure white, mi/k, or bittersweet Belgian Chocolate. Proprietors: Gary & Carol Vreeker Main Street, Orono 983-9779 Complete Car & Truck Repairs.e Diesel Engines * Cummins, Detroit & Cat a eRadio Dis patched Tow Truckse Mobile Mechanical Service Truck a FROM PARLIAMENT HILL Alex Shepherd Canada has been ranked as the number one country in which to do business. Last week in Ottawa I attended the unveiling of a study conducted by the worldwlde KPMG consultants. The study compared the com- petitive advantages of ahl European countries as well as the U.S. and Japan. The study was sponsored by Ontario Power, Royal Bank, Bell and the Australian govemnment. Canada was not only ranked number one but was number one on a number of fronts. Our labour costs, building and land, costs, interest rates and yes, even in the tax categary, Canada is the lowest cost destination for investment. What is even more reas- suring is that based on a sec- tonial approach it is the emerging industries that find the most advantage here. For examiple In medical research, advanced manufacturing. the aerospace industries and software services Canada ranked as the number one destination. 1But the KPMG study wasn't just about number crunching either. Business start-ups and companies wýill- ing to locate tao Canada are interested in more than just banging out product. To this end Canada ranked number one for quality of life. We comnplain about a lot of things in aur life but things could be a lot worse. Factors like crime statis- tics and cost of living - includ- ing housing costs - gives Canada the clear advantage. Current exchange rates have some impact on ail this but the study maintains that the stats it uses are good until Canada bits an exchange rate of 79 cents ta, the U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy is-rmn- ning pretty close ta full capac- ity. This means it could have great difficulty exp andlng, quickly. The threat of infla- tion and the resultant higher interest rates could stifle the U.S. economy. This is not the case for Canada. We continue to have excess capacity and relatively hlgher unemnploymnent rates. So what does ail this mean locally? In spite of GM restructuring it is SURl clear that Canada, as well as Durhamn, bas a primai-y co- petitive advantage over other countries. It also mneans we have ta do more ta seli ourselves to ensure we capture these International advantages and encourage capital - both physical and human - to make our communities their destination. "Use it or you will lose it," would be the operative phrase in international trade. We have to promote ours elves more in order to bring the rewards home to Canadians and the people of Durham. It's always healthy to take a step back and see how we are doing. 0f course we remain diligent making Canada the best country in the world. KPMG's independent report card shows we are on the right track. Corrections We incorrectly identified one of the winning speeches from Newcastle Public School was written by Kyle. Though Kyle's speech was a winner, Brett received more points for bis speech on camping. It was also reported that al Councillors approved the orig i- nal funding formula for the Main St. Ontario grants. Councillor Young in fact did not support the funding formu- la. Young feit that'Orono's share at $2,500 was flot enough to do anything with. Subscribe $2500peryr m Community Services Department Sprîng Aquatic RegistrationI The registration process f or al[those interested in regis- tering their child(ren) in thespring session of aquatic pro- gramns from Aqua Tots 1 to Aqua- Quest Level 12 maydo so as follows: FITNESS CENTRE - BOWMANVILLE Location: Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex COURTICE COMMUNITY COMPLEX -COURTICE i Location: Courtice Communîty Complex Date: Timie: Note. SATURDAY, MARCH 20,1999 9:00 a.m. to il a.m. Ongoing registrations wiII be accepted commenc- ing on Monday, March 22 at the Community Servic-es Department. A late fee of $5.00 wi[l be assessed as of Monday, March 29,1999. PRIVATE & SEMI-PRIVATE REGISTRATION Date: Time: Place: COMMENCING TUESDAY, MARCH 23,1999 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Community Services - Town Hall **pease Note - Proof of Clarington residency wiII be requested (Driver's Licence, Tax or Hydro Bill) FOR INFORMATION CONTACT THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 623-3379 IVaICPLT 0 ONTARIO Dates cf Publication March 10 17 1999 PO #6851 ;:r i P.O. #6851