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PAGE 6 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, OCTOBER 9,2002 www.durhamregion.com Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief Chris Bovie Managing Editor Judi Bobbitt Regional Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Barb Harrison Composing Manager Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 Efje Canabtati Statesman ■ ■ Oct. 9,2002 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Phone 905-579-4405 Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-440/ General Fax 905-579-2235 Newsroom Fax 905-579-1805 E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion.com 865 Farewell St., Osliawa ON L1H7L5 Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 infodurhamregion.com EDITORIAL e-mail letters to newsroom® (lurliamregimi.com Water reporting issue could leave Durham with big fines I t's not every day the Region of Durham finds itself facing facing a fine the equivalent of its annual police services budget. budget. We can imagine regional politicians, on a retreat in Gravenhurst, choking on their hors d'oeuvres late last week as they heard the news: a potential potential $91.75-million in fines for 15 charges of failing to report report "indicators of adverse water" samples, plus five charges of failure to monitor nitrate levels and two charges of "excessive flow rate." The fine total is eye-pop- ping. But what's really on the line here? Durham citizens have been assured by the Region's associate associate medical officer of health, Dr. Donna Reynolds, that at no point during regular testing has there been bacteria found in the water. Dr. Reynolds also says that throughout 2001 any incident of low chlorine in the water supply was reported by works employees to the health department, department, and immediate action was taken. So, during the time period to which the charges refer, October October 2000 to July 2001, the health department was aware of any low chlorine levels. The charges claim the Province (Ministry of the Environment) was not informed on 15 occasions occasions of low chlorine levels at Greenbank, Uxbridge and Port Perry water distribution systems. systems. Seven other charges relate relate to claims the Region failed to monitor nitrate levels at a Greenbank well and took too much water on two occasions from another Greenbank well. Water monitoring in Ontario Ontario changed drastically short- ,ly after the Wdlkerton disaster in the spring and summer of 2000. After the death of seven people and the illness of hundreds hundreds more, the Province was forced to act quickly to show it had a handle on the goings-on at hundreds of water facilities across the province. Strict new regulations backed by heavy fines for non-compliance were established in legislation by the MOE by August 2000. That's where the current charges come in. It could well be that in the training to come on board with the new reporting reporting system, honest mistakes in filing were made. Nothing as yet has been proven. The charges will be addressed addressed later this month in provincial court where the Region Region will be forced to defend its employees against the Ministry Ministry claims. Meanwhile, lawyers have advised regional politicians to avoid comment on the charges. It's hard to imagine the Province throttling the taxpayers taxpayers of Durham Region for possible possible mistakes made by the Region's Region's works department. Surely the half-million citizens of Durham, who only just found out about charges covering covering a timespan 15 months to two years ago, don't deserve to pay the Province through the nose. OPINION e-mail letters to ncwsroom@diirliamre);ion.com Water fines could drown taxpayers W ith a friend like the Province, who needs enemies? In light of last week's news of charges against Durham Region Region amounting to more than $91 million in fines, one can only be left questioning the logic of our government structure. structure. The provincial government has set up a system to regulate another level of government, the Region, which manages Durham's water system. In doing so, it has created legislation where if the Region messes up, it is fined. But somewhere along the way, the Province seems to have forgotten, forgotten, any punishment will ultimately be delivered delivered to the people it is trying to protect. That would be the taxpayers, taxpayers, who arc also the people drinking the water, the alleged victims. Among the 22 charges Durham faces arc 15 at $6 million million apiece, of failing to report low residual levels of chlorine in some north Durham water systems. This reporting requirement is part of legislation created in August 2000 as a direct result of the Walkcrton tragedy. Prior to that legislation, Dr. Donna Reynolds, associate medical officer of health, says there were always cheeks and balances balances in the system when a chlorine level drop occurred, The notification to the Province just wasn't one of them. At no time, she says, was Durham's water quality in jeopardy. The new reporting requirement requirement is likely a valid procedure that can only help improve our chances of avoiding another Walkerton-type occurrence and the water system operators should be urged to follow that procedure. But does the punishment punishment fit the crime? More importantly, is the right person going to pay for it? Should the charges be proven in court, fining the residents residents of Durham Region Region the equivalent of a full year's police services budget is not going to improve our water quality. What it could do is endanger the Region's Triplc- A credit rating, drive taxes up and force cuts to essential programs programs already in existence. existence. The Region is already facing millions millions of dollars in capital costs to upgrade upgrade older water systems to meet new provincial regulations. regulations. These lines will only make those upgrades less affordable. affordable. Of course the infraction, if there was indeed a lapse of duly, should not he ignored. A full investigation should he undertaken undertaken to determine if and how this occurred and how it can lie prevented in future. The Province should also ask itself whether due diligence was taken to ensure the requirements requirements of the new regulations were fully understood by the water operators, If it turns out there was negligence, negligence, of course someone should he accountable, Bill il shouldn't he the residents residents of Durham Region, Jacquie Mclnnes Staff Writer folighan.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CLICK AND Today's question: Given the recent charges levelled against the Region, are you confident Durham's drinking water is safe? □ Yes □ No □ Not sure Cast your vole online at infodurhamregicm.com Last week's question: Should Durham move ahead and build a new regional headquarters? □ No 57.3% □ Issue needs study 17.5% □ Yes 14 % □ After finances in better shape 11.2 % Votes cast: 143 HAVE YOUR SAY Question Oct. 6 through. 12 is Fire Prevention Week. How often do you check your smoke detector and/or review your home escape plan? e-mail letters to newsroom(Silurlminregion.com Law Society objects to change to system To the editor: Re: 'Public defenders might be the answer,' editorial of Oct. 4, 2002. I believe you missed some pertinent information that will help your readers come to their own conclusions regarding a public defender system. As the top elected official of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Canada, I would like to point out we have grave concerns about the announcement made by the Attorney Attorney General. First and foremost, foremost, this system will create a two-tier justice system - one for the rich and one for the poor. Justice is served only when there is equal access for all members members of society no matter what their income. The cunent system helps provide this access by providing providing the public with choice. By moving to a public defender system, system, individuals will no longer have such access. This is a cornerstone cornerstone of a democratic society. This hasty move toward a public defender system is ill advised. advised. Public defender systems in the U-S. and other jurisdictions have faltered badly. Spiralling costs and overburdened lawyers with unmanageable caseloads can, and do, result in tragic miscarriages miscarriages of justice. iThat is why we, the Law Society, Society, the regulatory body for Ontario's Ontario's lawyers, have been an active active member of the Coalition for Legal Aid Tariff Reform which has been working to redress 15 years of neglect of the legal aid certificate program. I challenge your suggestion we have been "bickering" with the government. In fact, we too want to work col- laboratively to find a "middle ground" that will help to ensure the most vulnerable can access the legal system. We encourage the government government to continue talks with the coalition. Negotiation, not legislation, legislation, will result in an effective and efficient legal aid system for Ontarians. Our cunent certificate-based system is a first-rate example of a successful public and private sector sector partnership. These partnerships partnerships have been, and should continue continue to be, hallmarks of the administration administration of this government. We believe improving upon the current legal aid certificate system system is more cost-effective. Let's continue negotiating towards towards a solution that enables lawyers to get back to work, and continues to provide quality and accessible legal services. The best solution would be a commitment commitment to a process that would enable enable us to redress over time the inadequacies in legal aid certificate certificate funding. Vern Krishna, Q.C. Treasurer Law Society of Upper Canada OPINION e-mail letters to ncwsroomtSdurhimi rcgion.com Golf is the sport of choice for our politicians today Y ou can't get on a golf course these days for politicians who are trying trying to do a lot more than knock a ball in a hole. One recent afternoon both Progressive Conservative Premier Premier Ernie Eves and Liberal leader Dalton McGuinly were swinging swinging away in tournaments tournaments - Mr. Eves at Milton and Mr. McGuinly at KIcinburg. A lew days later the premier was away from the legislature playing with hockey stars. The opposing leaders scented to spend half the summer flailing away in golf tournaments. tournaments. Mr. Eves has started an annual annual golf tournament in memory of his son, killed in a car crash, which raises money- to help young people, a worthy cause. It is much the same elsewhere. elsewhere. The federal Liberal caucus caucus finally emerged as being in favour of pushing out Prime Minister Jean Chretien in favour of Paul Martin over golf at an out-of-town relreat. When former Newfoundland premier Brian Tobin asked Mr. Chretien recently to avoid recriminations recriminations that would hurt llieir federal party, their talking was done - where else? - on a golf course. U.S. business leaders, shepherded shepherded by former president George Bush, were invited to New Brunswick to negotiate over golf about investing there, and ex-premier Frank McKenna explained he matched up the foursomes so they would be most likely to develop into business business partnerships. Mr. McKenna has pointed to one special benefit politicians derive from golf and there arc many. They get some enjoyment enjoyment and relaxation as they devote their talents talents to trying to hit a ball into a tiny hole. It takes them away from the everyday cares of their offices. They get some exercise, exercise, although not a lot, about equivalent to a slow walk in the open air. Golfing itself is not going to get the heart pumping. It is a sport middle-aged men with paunches, which means most politicians, can play. It does not require as much energy as jogging or even brisk walking, walking, more commonly recommended recommended for fitness. It stamps those who do it to some degree as good sports, which is how politicians prefer to he seen rather than as studious intellectuals a little out of touch with the real world. Politicians golfing can look like human, average guys, not aloof or stuffed shirts. Politicians can play golf for charities, which gives them satisfaction, satisfaction, and gel some respect for it, because media are more inclined to show pictures of them golfing than sitting in the legislature. Politicians have found they can raise money from their party members by playing golf, because because many would rather play with them in the open than sit inside inside listening to speeches; They can spend time playing and socializing with big business tycoons, many of whom have taken up golf, and the Tories and Liberals arc particularly eager to get all the support and cash from big business they can. Golf also is the spoil of the baby boomers now reaching or at middle age, who vote and generally have money they can donate and arc about the most powerful group in winning elections. elections. A premier or party leader docs himself a big favour if he can get them to equate with him. The mania for golf has now left other sports far behind as the favourite of politicians. A lew. years ago Tory premiers John Robarts and William Davis, and attorney general Roy McMurtry, who is now chief justice, liked to woo the jock vote by letting it he known they were university football heroes, and they had injuries injuries proving it. Liberal premier David Peterson Peterson was happy to remind lie had been a useful university boxer, hut fewer of today's politicians have participated in such physical physical sports, which are now less popular. Horse racing is called the sport of kings, hut golf has now emerged as the spoi l most suited to politicians. Those aspiring to gel to the lop in politics should research their fads, polish their oratory, brush up llieir French and practise practise their golf swings, Eric Dowd Queen's Park Cal King "We do it twice a year and check the batteries." Alan Rush "I don't have an (escape) plan. Our smoke detectors are electrical. We don't depend on batteries." Tim Cockburn Karen McGill "I would say once a year." 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