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Page 20 The Clarington/Courtice Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, September 6, 1997 Report from Queen's Park by John O'Toole Back to School It is back to school for some 2 million students, 120,000 teachers, as well as over 50,000 non-teaching staff. Ontario spends over $13 billion dollars on education in some 5,000 elementary schools and approximately 900 secondary schools. Education is everyone's business in our fast-pace high tech global village. Our children children are our future but education education is a lifelong process, not confined to only our children. People from all walks of life and every age group generally want to be involved. Ontario, as you know, is going through major reforms in almost every aspect of education. education. Our Minister of Education has introduced a new rigorous curriculum for grades 1 to 8 starting in this 1997/98 school year. We are introducing a new four-year secondary school program in 1999. We have introduced provincial provincial wide testing, as well as a new standardized ' report card. Parents have told me they want to understand the programs and the outcomes in which their children are involved. Post-secondary education is also being transformed. We are also creating a new income contingent student loan and repayment program. The Ontario Student Opportunities Trust fund has been endowed with more than half a billion dollars to assist students. Furthermore, we have set up a 30 million-dollar fund to assist learning-disabled students students make the transition to college or university and a one time $23 million dollar Strategic Program Investment Fund to enhance the quality and relevance of education and training provided in our colleges colleges of applied arts and technology. technology. There are further initiatives, in research and private sector high technology partnerships. The opportunities in the future: are knowledge based and our Ontario students need the facilities facilities and support to ensure a future with hope and opportunity. opportunity. Training is being enhanced in the apprenticeship area to combine work and learning in a seamless system from the classroom to the workplace. After much consultation with the trades, employers and our colleges, there will be a new program announced shortly. As I have mentioned many times, Peggy and I have two children who have already finished finished their university undergraduate undergraduate degrees. Both Erin and Rebecca are working and pursuing post graduate studies on a part time basis. We also have three children still in university. university. Mamie is in third year at Western, Rochelle in going to 'the University of Windsor and Andrew is attending Brock University. I can tell you it takes a village to raise a child. Our children worked hard as a waitress, a grocery clerk and an office clerk. Peggy and I will be working for many years to help them out. At over $10,000.00 each per year, our children are fortunate to have had jobs and a good work ethic, along with a family to help them. I have had a number of calls from my rural constituents. . One question has been the changes to the Farm Tax rebate program. We are in the process of a provincial reassessment. Farm operations will be taxed at 25% of the local property tax rate. . The old system required farm businesses to pay the entire unfair taxes and then fill out a rebate application. This new system should start in 1998 and will be fairer, faster and simplified. We have improved the CROP insurance GRIP program program to ensure 85% coverage in. the event of crop failure. Further improvements included are the sales tax rebate on farm modernization expenditures. The managed forest program has been restored. As you know, the previous government had cancelled this program. - Beginning in 1998, the property tax on eligible woodlands will be lowered to 25% of the residential rate. Privately owned conservation land will not be taxed. There are many important commitments to our agriculture sector. I am preparing a mail out with more details to answer questions ranging from rural health care to our new Farm Practices Protection Act. The price of gas has caused Darlene Hobbs Representative "H group f Sales Representative 1144 or , "Specializing in Unique and! Country Properties" A LITTLE OLD FASHIONED? I Step back to old fashioned family values! Countiy air, star gazing on the cedar deck, Sunday morning breakfasts in the huge family kitchen! Formal dining room, I French doors to den, beautifully decorated decorated master with dressing room and custom custom ensuite! Five bedrooms in all! Updated with newer furnace, air, electrical electrical and water systems, you're free to enjoy towering maples, rich gardens and lots of nature on 1.4 acres! A lifestyle in Leskard Village. $179,900. AWESOME OPEN HOUSE! SUNDAY, SEPT. 7,2-4 p.m. 10 Royal Estate Dr., Pontypoo! Come see why we just fove this house! Spacious and stunning on just about 1 acre. From the storybook front porch to the modern modern custom kitchen, from the cozy sunken family room (with wood burning F/P) to the sunken formal livingroom. From the luxurious master retreat to the private master balcony! With four bedrooms, oak strip foyer, main floor laundry, huge garage, paved drive, gas heal and a fine family neighbourhood ... What's not to love! f LOOKING FOR MORE? More land, more house, more value! Superb custom brick bungalow on 5 acres, pond, trees, trails and privacy! privacy! Island kitchen overflowing with oak, very formal living and dining rooms. Cozy family room with stone fireplace, Oversized garage, wood/oil furnace! Quality you will feel! About 15 minutes to Bowmanville. $189,900. FABULOUS FORTY-FOUR ACRESI Artistically renovated with metropolitan flair! You will be pleasantly surprised by this 3 bedroom farmhouse right on the Ganaraska Forest! Sprawling country kitchen, livingroom with forest views, main floor master with ensuite and walkout. walkout. Massive 50' x 100' barn, 3 box stalls, run in, fenced pasture and hay- field, Private, peaceful and ready if you are! About 12 miles north of Taunton. a flood of calls. I can advise you that our Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, as well as our Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism have written the Federal Minister, the Hon. John Manley, in Ottawa. Our Federal government is responsible for the regulation of supply and demand for oil and gas under the Federal Competition Act. The Federal government must monitor prices, trade practices and investigate collusion collusion or price fixing. I have supported supported a private members bill on the support of small independent independent operators. I am on the side of consumers consumers and am fed up with being at the whim of the big gas monopolies. Until next week, stay in touch. Fall Migration At Darlington Attention all birdwatchers! On Saturday, September 6, Darlington Provincial Park is celebrating the mystery of migration! Come and look for ' songbirds sporting challenging fall colours and high-flying hawks as they soar overhead. •Activities will include.the following. following. Bird Banding starts at 9:00 a.m. By midday bird activity slows down so come early! Check in at the Main Gate for a Park Tabloid and banding locations. locations. Bird Hikes begin at the Birding Kiosk at the Park Office between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Bring your binoculars binoculars h Hawk Watching will start at 11:00 a;m. at the Viewing Platform Lookout. THE BIGGER THE BETTER RULES! FUME-BROILED Limited time offer. ATTACHED! Are you an enthusiastic, customer service oriented individual who is interested in a challenging Permanent Part Time position? We offer flexible hours, comprehensive training and an attractive benefits package!!!! We are currently looking for Day, Evening, Weekend and Midnight Crew Staff for all departments in our new Bowmanville store. If you are interested in applying, you are invited to attend our JOB FAIR Sunday, September 7, 1997 from lO a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 14, 1997 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Rickard Recreation Complex 2440 King St. W. (Hwy. 2 and Hwy. 57) Please Note: Depending on response, please be prepared for an extended waiting time. All applicants will be considered fairly and equally and not just on a first come, first served basis.