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Wednesday. January 19, 2005 Places I've Done Time by Clifford Francis !,i Canadian eh! Today I was standing on the street in the early morn when a chap nearby, having a smoke said, 'good day'. 1 said, "It's kind of cool today eh!" He invited me into the coffee shop for a cup. He told me he was from Australia and said it seemed cold for the eighteenth of January. I said, "you're from the land of the sheep, kangaroo and the dingo." and he laughed. "What's so unique about Canada besides the cold?" he asked, and that made me think. While we drank our coffee coffee I thought about it. Then I told him some of the things I came up with. He was impressed! Some of these are as old as ever and some are fairly new. The Hudson Bay Company and their blankets. The North West Mounted Police or the Royal Canadian, Mounted Police and their Musical Ride. Being bilingual--English and French. The beaver on our nickel and the Bluenoser on the dime. The toonie and the loonie, maple syrup and ice fishing. The maple leaf on the flag and our universal health care system. Let's not forget Stompin' Tom and his great Canadian songs, and the 649 lottery. We have Yonge Street, the longest street in the world, and our famous bear, Winnie the Pooh. Food such as poutine and cod lips, yum yum. Then there are our famous Canadians like Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Pierre Burton and Laura Secord. That's quite a list of Canadian things and people, eh? What about the GST and Canadian Club whisky mixed with Canada Dry ginger ginger ale. That's truly Canadian eh? Hockey--that was nearly forgotten with the NHL lockout. After we had our coffee and talk, the gentleman gentleman was quite impressed with Canada. We shook hands and he said, "it's been nice talking to you, eh! O'Toole Continued from page 2 other words, in the time it will take you to read this sentence, the provincial debt will have increased by about $500.) By the next election, the Liberal government government will have added $9 billion to the provincial debt. T am still concerned about services that have been decreased. With its $2.4 billion in new health taxes and close to one billion dollars in new money from the federal government, government, the McGuinty government government has an extra $3 billion billion to improve healthcare. Despite this infusion of new cash, wait times aren't improving, hospitals are being forced to lay off staff and key services such as routine eye exams, chiropractic chiropractic care and physiotherapy physiotherapy are being cut. Consultations On Ontarians With Disabilities Act In the Ontario Legislature last month, Bill 118 (Accessibility for Ontarians Mayor Continued from front With Disabilities Act 2004) received second reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Hearings are scheduled for Toronto, . Niagara Falls, London, Thunder Bay and Ottawa during the weeks of January 31 and February 7, 2005. The deadline for written comments to the committee is Tuesday, February 8, 2005, at 5 p.m. As always, if you would like to discuss your concerns on Bill 118 or any provincial legislation, I would welcome your comments. I can be reached at (905) 697- 1501 or toll-free at 1-800-661- 2433. My constituency e-mail address is: jjohn_otoole@ontla.ola.org. Pit Bull Legislation Goes to Public Meetings An all-party committee of the Ontario Legislature will examine Bill 132 in hearings later this month. This legislation legislation deals with public safety safety in relation to dogs and includes the proposed breed- specific ban against pit bulls. The Legislative Assembly Assembly Committee intends to hold hearings in Toronto (January 24 and February 3); in Barrie (January 27) and in Brantford (February 2.) If you would like to make a Orono Weekly Times - 3 presentation to the Committee in person or in writing, I would be pleased to help ensure your comments comments are on the record. Our constituency office may be reached at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433. (E-mail: john_otoole@ontla.ola.org.) The deadline for interested parties who want to make oral presentations is noon on Wednesday, January 19. The deadline for written presentations presentations is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2005. ft It is with great pleasure that we, Ben & Jean Hoy and Alex & Liz Sullivan announce the marriage of their children, Heather Hoy & Russ Sullivan. Heather and Russ ! were united in marriage on Nov. 6, 2004 at Horseshoe Valley Resort followed by a reception in Craighurst. May your lives together be filled with happiness. God bless you both. i I 55 Residents Continued from front She asked that any future - building permits for Kaitlin be held up until this matter is resolved. "We are not getting involved in a case between you and someone else," said Mayor John Mutton. He did acknowledge that Kaitlin's actions were 'unscrupulous' and that he's had a lot of issues with them. "We've been very vigilant to make sure this developer tows the line," he stated, "But the onus is on the buyer to make sure they know what s approved by Planning before they buy," he stated. We can't put the tax payer and tax dollars on the line for anyone's legal fights," said Mayor Mutton. He suggested the residents residents seek a lawyer and launch a class action suit against the developer for compensation. Hoos said she was not ruling out this option, when she spoke with an Orono Times reporter following the meeting Monday night. The Bowmanville Creek Power Centre, near Baseline Road and Waverly Road, is a 250,000 sq. ft. development with the centerpiece being a home improvement store. "Civic beautification and environmental conservation will be the focus of the Operations Department," stated stated Mayor Mutton. "Pitch-in-Week" will take place in April and staff are investigating the possibility of increased penalties for littering littering and a web site for reporting reporting violations. Clarington will continue to work on plans for the Clarington Energy Park in Courtice and the Clarington Science and Technology Park in Bowmanville, said the Mayor. "I am continuing to work with senior government officials officials to see the advanced CANDU reactor comes to Clarington," he stated. Mutton thanked his team, the councillors and staff for a 2004 to remember at the beginning of the address. jTspe's to 9 j-foppy 90th, ■ \ ■x w / / WINTER SPECIAL Pork sides ( 100 lbs) $ 1.59 per lb. Cut, Wrapped & Frozen All curing (slight extra charge) is done naturally without chemicals. Bacon is thick cut and low salt. Also hamburger $2.00 per lb. (extra lean) In 1 lb. pkgs. > Wedding Cafies • Cakes for a\\ Occasions . Pastries - Donuts - Pies • Bread & Buns 905-983-9779 Closed Sunday and Monday Scott Lee • 905-983-5370 Momlior ol Canadian Organic Growers ~ Happenings MTcSSwi. -I Sod.» Annual C.n.n.1 MMta - O™ »»» « ' P- Anyone hhrcsted in sitting as a director contact MaryAnne found 905-463-2528. SSS*, Ski Club - 8:30 a.iti. to 6 p.m. «person. Proceeds to Sunrise Youth Group. "Canada Blooms" bus .rip. $37 bus and show. Call Lorna 905-983-5608 to book by February 15.