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www.durhamregion.com' PAGE 6 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, May 19,2004 AGE Oint UANAUIAN OIMI comnn, maj , ^ J ^ Budget is 'nuclear bomb of broken promises: Flaherty BUDGET from page 1 concept of the university was sophistication... sophistication... particularly in the auto, nuclear engineering areas. "So, I'm not saying much about it now...but Durham Region Region looks like it's pretty far down the list when it comes to this government. That worries me a lot." For Gary Polonsky, president of Durham College/UOIT, the budget is "fair in today's circumstances. circumstances. "I think it was gratifying to hear that we were one of the few ministries that were not asked to take a cut," Dr. Polonsky says. "I think all Ontarians appreciate that the government has found itself in a bind with this... deficit." Instead of a cut, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Uni versities will get a $260-million operating budget boost. Mr. Polonsky welcomed the announcement that the government government will make it easier for thousands of students to get a loan -- both through eligibility reforms and a $20.9-million boost to the student assistance program. He also cheered the appointment appointment of former premier Bob Rae to lead a review of the post-secondary post-secondary system, focusing on quality, accountability and affordability. affordability. The additional revenue generated generated by Mr. Sorbara's healthcare healthcare premium will boost healthcare healthcare spending by $2.2 billion in 2004-05 over the prèvious year. The increase includes $111 million million for primary-care initiatives, providing an additional 21,400 Ontarians with home care, and chicken pox, meningitis and pneumonia vaccinations for children. It will also open 3,760 additional beds in long-term care facilities, supporting 13,650 more mental-health clients, and hiring more doctors and nurses. The budget also provides $2.1 billion for schools over the next four years. Mr. Arthurs said the budget addresses the core commitments to health care and education that the Liberals made during the election. "I'm convinced and quite happy that we have a plan to meet the commitments we set out in our campaign," he said. The Liberals have set out a four-year plan to cut what is now a $6.2-billion deficit to $2.2 billion billion by next March and to eliminate eliminate it by 2008. For patrons at Oshawa sports bar The Cocky Jockey, meanwhile, meanwhile, there was a mixed reaction reaction to the news smokers will pay more for a carton of cigarettes cigarettes starting today, while the cost of a bottle of wine and a case of beer would also go up on June 21. "It doesn't surprise me," said Dan Davis, 52, who said the price of cigarettes is inflated enough already because of taxes. "Look at the price of gasoline, gasoline, too. The Liberals give all these promises, and nobody seems to live up to anything anymore." anymore." "We just take everything. Other countries have revolutions to get rid of these idiots, but we just keep taking it," he said. Denis Dracopoulos, 70, a former former smoker, said he doesn't care how much the government in creases alcohol and tobacco taxes, so long as the price of other key commodities -- hydro, water and gas -- go down. Smoker Michael John said the Liberals have basically cornered cornered the market now on a trio of popular items. "Cigarettes, booze, gas: that's three things they got us on," the 39-year-old said. "We have no choice. If I don't have gas, I can't go to work. OK, I smoke, it's not like I can kick the habit tomorrow. If they raise them, what am I going to do? "I wished they raised cigarettes cigarettes four dollars all in one shot, then the bootleggers would bring them in for me," he said. "If they're three dollars or eight dollars, they still taste the same." Budget highlights • Reinstatement of OH IP pre_-',' niiums: Families with taxable - income between $20,000 and $36,000 will pay an extra $300 ; per year; those with taxable in-" comes more than $200,000 will; pay $900 annually. • $2.4 billion in new health-card',' initiatives, such as cardiac,;' cataract and cancer care, but ' cuts on payments for chiroprac- ; tors and limits on funds for eye 1 tests and physiotherapy. • Classroom size capped at 20' up to Grade 3 over four years. ' • Municipalities will get twb cents of the existing provincial" gas tax over three years and 75* per cent of municipal public ; health costs by 2007. gUJBStt; OANADIANTj ^VijltfüiÆNVILLE «Site: StiKtlS ;iî> W THURSO AYjiM'AY20th Beautiful IMPATIENCE °xL- (turhamregion.com r ■ M w$r ■ - K--*•*"n» • w •< f J|jP tmteb y 1 . ÆL ■ Dwarf Korean LILAC l:c: ,\«s, 33-0250-6 More than 850,000 page views per month Hardi EYONYI GAIETY Reg. 9.99 Reg. 19.99 Reg. 759 \m This Week m t Canabtan Statesman The News Advertiser toribge fimea-fournal Hardy EMERALD CEDARS Reg. 7.99 Hardy Colorado BUIE SPRUCE Reg. 74.99 KS Blue Arrow JUNIPER Metroland Durham Region Media Group Reg. 39.99 0 I * v .1 ^9 \*1j ; :'K4 West N^le virus: bites. Fight the Bite! Wear light colours, long sleeves and long pants. Use bug repellent containing DEBT and read product directions carefully. Avoid mosquito areas especially from dusk to dawn when they're most active. To learn more visit our Web site or call tor a brochure. 1-877-234-4343 TTY 1-800-387-5559 www.HealthyOntario.com In.ii'h Ontario