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10 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, February 3, 2010 O'TOOLE Continued from page 2 Ontario is spending $2.8 million more every single hour than it is receiving in revenue. If this trend continues, the provincial government will soon double Ontario's debt load. I welcome your suggestions on priorities for the Ontario budget, including ways to reduce the deficit, create jobs and help Ontario families and seniors who will be hardest hit by rising taxes, higher energy prices, and pressures on funds set aside for pensions and retirement. I may be reached by telephone at 905-6971501 and toll-free at 1-800-6612433 or by e-mail at: john.otooleco@pc.ola.org. Driver Cell Phone Restrictions Enforced Feb. 1 Ontario's ban on hand heldcell phones while driving has been in effect since October of last year. The first three months of the ban were set aside for education and awareness of the law. Starting February 1, the law will be fully enforced. A fine of $155 can be levied against distracted drivers who text, type, email, dial, or chat using a prohibited hand-held device. Province to Offer Yellow Ribbon Licence Plates New Ontario licence plates featuring the Yellow Ribbon Support our Troops logo are being introduced to honour the Canadian Forces. Starting Feb. 1, 2010, these regular, personalized and sample plates can be ordered through some ServiceOntario locations and driver and vehicle licence issuing offices. In my role as Opposition Critic for Government Services, I will be seeking further clarification about how much from the sale of each plate will go to military families. When the yellow ribbon plates were announced last fall, opposition MPPs were disappointed to learn only $2.25 from each set of plates costing $77.75 will go to the Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund. New Projects Support Ontario Food From mushrooms to markets, funding has been CUSTOM BUILT HOME! announced for seven initiatives that support locally-grown food. The Province is contributing $45,000 to "re-inventing the Kitchener Market" and $50,000 for a campaign to promote Ontario mushrooms. Other funding announced this month include: Local Food Branding ($75,000); Farm Fresh Fare 2010 at the Green Living Show ($91,965); Ontario Organics Pavilion at Green Living Show ($21,630); Go Ontario Snack Bar ($92,250); Ontario Pork Promotion ($75,000) and market research/planning for organic co-ops ($34,500). The marketing programs are a good initiative. At a recent Agriculture Round Table that I held, I heard many suggestions calling for an effective Risk Management Program. 8209 KING ST., HAYDON - $479,900 Ranch Bungalow on over 1 Acre.Fenced Backyard with 16X32 Inground Pool. 3000 sq. feet of living space on the Main Floor and 2000 sq. feet on Lower Level.Three Bedrooms upstairs and Three Bedrooms in the Basement with Four piece Bath, Rec. Room with Wet Bar and Separate Games Room ROYAL SERVICE REAL ESTATE INC. · JANICE PARISH Broker of Record Toll Free 1-888-372-4140 · janice@royalservice.ca · 118 King Ave. E., Newcastle 905-987-1033 Ontario Population Will Grow by 3.7 Million Extensive population growth in the Greater Toronto Area, a shrinking workforce and a rising number of persons over age 65 are among the trends predicted in a report that predicts future trends for Ontario. The report offers a snapshot of what the province may look like in another 20 years. Some of the findings from Ontario's Long-Term Report on the Economy released in January include: - The province will see an overall growth of 3.7 million people - for a population total of 16.7 million by 2030. The population increase will be driven by immigration. By the year 2030, over half of Ontario's population will live in the GTA. - The proportion of adults in prime working years (age 16 to 64) will shrink to 61.5 per cent from the current 69.4 per cent - Seniors (Individuals over age 65) will account for 21.9 per cent of Ontario's population by 2030, compared to 13.7 per cent today. This report has important implications for almost all aspects of government in Ontario. The population trends will affect policies on pension reform, healthcare, taxation, transportation, education, retraining, jobs and the economy. All branches of government must work together in response to the new population trends.