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PAGE 4 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JULY 14,2004 Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief Chris Bovie Managing Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Janice O'Neil Cheryl Haines Composing Managers Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 www.durhamregion.cbm Œïjc Catmtrimi Statesman 0 ■ July 14,2004 Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. EDITORIAL e-mail letters to ncwsroom@durliamregion.com Durham's need for cancer centre never greater It's exactly the kind of news that saps energy. A report by Cancer Care Ontario finds the number of cases will grow by 62 per cent over the next decade, meaning that in 10 years, doctors expect expect to see 3,883 new cases of cancer a year here in' Durham, up from the current 2,402. But, if anything, this report underscores just how important important the R.S. McLaughlin Cancer Centre will be to Durham Region. When construction on the centre, located next to Lak- eridge Health Oshawa, is complete in 2006, it will open the doors to arguably the single-most single-most important project ever to come Durham's way. It will mean thousands and thousands of people in the decades to come can get the important care they need close to home. It will mean they can wage these life-and-death battles with friends, family and other supporters nearby. That support has too often been denied them by the distance distance they must currently travel travel for care. Simply, the McLaughlin centre will add some humanity, and even hope, to some of the darkest days anyone could ever experience. experience. . ..... It's'--been said that cancer .(ms touched everyone in one way or another. And should the report's projections bear out, that impact is only going to intensify. So, the shovels may be in the ground for the new centre and the community fund-raising fund-raising goal of $39 million exceeded exceeded (we're on the way to $42 million now), but there is still much work to do. The challenge for the foundation foundation and cancer centre is to continue impressing upon residents residents the important role the centre will play, and the need for ongoing donations. "We have to keep increasing increasing and improving the quality of the equipment so we're always always at a state-of-the-art position," position," said Chuck Powers, president of the Oshawa General General Hospital Foundation, adding that funds are also needed for research. The foundation will strengthen its focus further by establishing a division dedicated dedicated to the cancer side of raising funds. Consider the ongoing need for funds and support from this perspective: The centre is being built to serve a population population of about one million, while the area the centre serves likely won't reach that level until 2020 or 2025, estimates estimates Mr. Powers. But an investment in technology technology and continued research research could push that date of maximum capacity back even farther. This Cancer Care Report |f- fers challenging numbers for sure.. ; ' f ■ That's why Durham residents residents must continue to support support the centre in its ongoing battle. dolighan.coi LETTERS TO THE EDITOR e-mail letters to ncwsroom@durliamrcgioii.com OPINION e-mail letters to ncwsroom@durhamrcgion.com UOIT should erase the uncertainty surrounding plan Lights were out in Bowmanville To the editor: Re: 'Storm Cuts Power in Courtice,' July 7. ^", ( ..^t; states.';,that eight,, hornps.^ « near Bowmanville were without \ power) 1 ? meanwhile I live in- the j * north end of Bowmanville; and all of our homes were without hydro for over an hour, as were many homes north of Highway ■'2., ,V I placed a call to Darlington Nuclear, and they seem shocked - and unaware when I told them we had no electricity.' I am a newer resident to the ' town, and have found that almost almost weekly our power goes out, even when there aren't any storms. That's quite a strange occurrence occurrence for a town that has a nuclear nuclear power plant. Will Rennie, Bowmanville Approval of the UOIT blueprint for growth appears imminent -- again. Overshadowing a very successful successful first year at the University University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) has been the wait for the Province to sign off on the UOIT business plan, which documents how. the university will grow and accommodate an estimated 6,500 students by 2009/10. The plan was submitted submitted in January. President Gary Polonsky Polonsky in February said he expected the Province to approve it in a week or two. In fact, it's taking a lot longer. Along the way, Colleges Minister Mary Anne Chambers, Chambers, in a press release, release, indicated some of the information from UOIT "appears to identify risks in its existing capital plan." The Province has to sign off on the $90 million the university university needs to borrow because because Durham College, an agency of the Crown, is the guarantor. Mr. Polonsky has taken great pains to tell staff and students students that the university's future future is not in doubt, as has been suggested, noting the minister has approved six new university programs for the fall. Me also has staled unequivocally unequivocally that the three buildings opening this summer will indeed indeed open on time and on budget. budget. Mr, Polonsky says the issue Mike Ruta Reporter is how fast the university grows in the future, and it seems the Province doesn't want the UOIT to take on more debt than it can handle. It's probably fair to say the negotiations with UOIT involve involve who is going to pay for new buildings or, more specifically, specifically, what share is the Province covering and how much will UOIT take on. At stake is the next round of construction, construction, which includes includes a new engineering engineering building. Without it, engineering engineering students won't be able to complete their program at UOIT and will have to go elsewhere. The assessment assessment of the business plan by an independent independent examiner, required required by the Province, is complete. complete. Provincial spokesman Chris Carson said, "we certainly expect positive news" in a pending announcement. announcement. However, what the plan assessment assessment contains could remain remain secret: the Province says it cannot release the seven- page report unless UOIT gives its permission. Let's hope UOIT officials do indeed sanction the release of the report to clear the air. The uncertainty regarding the university's growth needs to be erased, primarily so students know what to expect when they enrol here. Mike Ruta is the education reporter reporter for This Week. E-mail mrutu@durhamreuion.com. Employer's contract was illegal To the editor: Re: 'Contract is a sign of things to come,' column by Shelley Jordan, July 7. After reading the article, I was moved to responding for a number of reasons. Firstly, as a workers' advocate advocate in Workers Compensation, I was appalled that such a practice practice was being imposed on young and vulnerable workers in the province. Such a practice is illegal in Ontario. Specifically, Specifically, under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, section 16 states: "An agreement between a worker and his or her employer employer to waive or to forego any benefit to which the worker or his or her survivors are or may become entitled under the insurance insurance plan is void." Therefore, Therefore, even though one may have signed this contract, under the law it is deemed to be illegal and void. This employer presents themselves as one who is adhering adhering to the provisions of the Ontario Health and Safety Act by informing workers of the hazards of the work site and also providing them with information information regarding their right to. know and to refuse unsafe work on- the one and then resort to such a callous and uncaring practice as having a loved one "sign away their child's life" is quite disturbing. Even though this person may be a friend of the family as was the person who hired Lewis Whalen in Sault Ste. Marie. Lewis unfortunately had his life permanently altered and eventually taken awaÿ from him due to the unsafe practices of his employer and the corporation corporation that contracted the services services of this employer. We still witness the death and maiming of too- many young workers as a result of unsafe unsafe workplaces every year for us to ignore this carnage. We must double our efforts to ensure ensure that no young worker who is entering the workplace for the first time has to put his oilier oilier life on the line. We all want our children to arrive home safely. They should not be coerced into signing such draconian agreements that attempt to take away their rights that are enshrined enshrined in law. I trust that Shelley Jordan will contact the WSIB's Special Investigations Branch to report the actions of this employer as well as initiate an investigation by the Ministry of Labour. Colin J. Argyle Bowmanville Helicopter is needed in Durham To the editor: I feel that, as a member of the Durham Regional Police Air Support Unit, I should respond respond to the two recent negative negative (and one positive) letters that have appeared in this paper about the police helicopter. There were points that were addressed in those letters relating relating to the helicopter's noise, effectiveness, effectiveness, "practice runs" and hours of operation. Air 1 is not a project that was taken lightly , by Durban) ( Regional Police and (he citizens.,,. ;?of this-region. It is thé; result of- a successful partnership that began in 1999 as a pilot project and has taken many long hours of hard work and dedication. I take great offence to someone someone minimizing all that hard work via a letter to the newspaper. newspaper. Air 1 operates during the hours it is most likely to have an impact on crime and public safety,' and never conducts "practice runs." Air l's presence is an invaluable invaluable resource for protecting the public and extending the reach of law enforcement. Air 1 acts as direct support to general patrol and is operating operating to ensure your safety. Missions Missions include proactive patrols, vehicle pursuits, impaired drivers, drivers, canine search support, nuclear nuclear plant security, locating suspects in yards or on rooftops, community' relations events, scene photography, as well as requests for assistance from EMS, Fire or other police services -- including Toronto. Since January, Air 1 has flown over 350 hours and has been responsible responsible for over 30 arrests that would otherwise not have i been made. ' With the results it has obtained, obtained, Air l's effectiveness speaks for itself. The bottom line is the majority majority of residents in this region, members of local and regional government and the hard-working hard-working members of,this police service service (who are charged with ensuring ensuring your safety) fully support support Air 1. If you have any question as to why Air-1 was in your neighbourhood neighbourhood you can log on to www.drps.ca and view the 24- hour helicopter activity reports. Cst. Jon Hood #946 Air Support Unit Durham Regional Police Phone 905-579-4405 Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-440i General Fax 905-579-2235 Newsroom Fax 905-579-1805 E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion. com 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1H 7L5 Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 infodurhamregion.com CLICK AND SA^ Today's question: Should the McGuinty government continue its ; legal fight to cap Highway. 407 ETR rates? □ Yes □ No Cast your vote online at infodurhamregion.com Last week's question: The Province's newly implè- mented health premium goes into effect this week. Will it have a big impact on your finances finances and monthly budgeting? budgeting? □ Yes 82.5% □ no 17.5% Votes cast: 189 HAVE YOUR SAY Question Should the Scu- gog Casino be exempt from the Durham smoking bylaw? ::| Bonnie Geroux "I definately think they should go along wfith the restriction because they are à type of entertainment." Susan Stewart "I-think that jU if thëyhre opening* up the casino for; the public, then the public is entitled to cleaner air." Carole Morrison "If I have to obey local laws, then, so should they, without exception." Adrian Padron "I think they should conform with the bylaw because it is a public place. The public is going to use it." Œfjc Cmmbinn Statesman is one of the Metroland Printing, Publishing Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member of the Bowmanville Bowmanville Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, On-; tario Community Newspaper Assoc,, Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Press Council. The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. advertisement. Credit for advertisement advertisement limited to space price , error occupies. Editorial and Advertising content of the - - (MIAMI MitUMH,