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2 - Ofono Weekly Times , ? f « 'i * , , , . , , i Wednesday, March 29,2006 Subscriptions $32.71 + $2.29 GST = $35.00 per year. Publications Mail Registration No. 09301 • Agreement No. 40012366 Publishing 4S issues annually at the office of publication. 'We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program lPAPI toward our mailing costs." Canada ORONO WEEKLY TIMES - 5310 Main St., P.O. Box 209, Orono, ON LOB 1M0 E-mail: oronotimes@rogers.com or Phone/Fax: 905-983-5301 Publisher/Editor Margaret Zwart Sports and Display Advertising - Donna Wood Front Office and Classified Advertising - Rosey Bateman The Orono Weekly Times welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to our readers. Opinions expressed to the editor and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Orono Weekly times. Letters must be signed and, contain the address and phone number of the writer. Any letter considered unsuitable will not be acknowledged or returned. We reserve the right to edit for length, libel and slander. If your retail or classified ad appears for the first time, please check carefully. Notice of an error must be given before the next issue goes to print. The Orono Weekly Times will not be responsible for the loss or damage of such items. "A Good News Monday!! It is great to receive good news. Anne Murray sang a song with lyrics to the effect "Sure could use a little good news today". And we Canadians started the week with much good news. One of our athletes at the Commonwealth Games brought home six gold medals. Her name is Alexandria Orlanda, and her sport is rhythmic gymnastics. She was certainly a pleasure to watch. Oh, to be young again! In total, our athletes won 86 medals.Wonderful! Then, from the world of golf came Stephen Ames. All of us Canuck boosters love to see Mike Weir do well. After all he is from Ontario, and is sponsored by Bell Canada, the company that we all love to hate. And Mike had a pretty good tournament. Unfortunately the course turned brutal on Sunday and mined his week. Nonetheless Mike beat, or tied, all but 21 of the best golfers in the world. Mike was neck and neck with Tiger Woods. Neither were happy with their performance. , But Stephen--by George, that was remarkable! Even for non-golfers, such as your humble editor; that was something to behold. One of the commentators commentators said that Stephen's performance ork Sunday was the greatest round of golf in the last ten years! That would encompass thousands of rounds played by Tiger, by Mike, by V.J. and by all the other greats. In this tournament, Stephen beat out the .top 48 golfers in the world. While Stephen lived most of his life in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, he chose to move to Canada, and to become a Canadian citizen. Mike, fine chap that he is, now lives in the U.S. The golf commentators seem most reluctant to describe Stephen as a Canadian, and actually seemed non-plussed when the Canadian flag was raised. Ames is a wonderful reminder to us all, of the magnificent achievements of "new"' Canadians. There is also the heart warming story of his wife's battle with cancer, and of the obvious care Stephen shows for her and his children. He took some time before deciding whether to play in the "Masters", rather than go ahead with a planned family vacation. Since the "Masters" is the lifetime lifetime dream of every professional golfer, the fact he is hesitating--speaks volumes about this man's values. Also, this guy is 41 years old, and he taught himself to play golf. Winning is not old hat to him, as this is only his second win on the PGA tour. Stephen, you are a proud Canadian, and Canadians are proud of you! And the good news continued, the two Canadian hostages were freed, and the poor unfortunate chap in Afghanistan, under threat of death for being a Christian, won a reprieve. Maybe'there is some logic in the world, after all. Spring is here, Monday was a beautiful day. So give thanks to whatever deity attracts you, and * remember--it is great to be a Canadian! balance the budget, why should hospitals?" Likewise, Ontario's long-term care sector sector is disappointed that more funding was not earmarked for increasing the level of care provide in long-term care facilities. There were also significant significant cuts to the Ministry of Ontario Budget overlooks However, most other Cana- Tourism ($100 million) and key Ontario priorities dian provinces have been the Ministry of Children and Talk of a shiny new sub- making their tax system more Youth Services ($82 million), way for Toronto has diverted competitive. That is why ■ Unfortunately, the transattention transattention from many important Ontario's business taxes are . potation priorities of Durham priorities that have been over- among the highest of the Region were overlooked in the looked or under-funded in the Canadian provinces and terri- budget, with no commitment McGuinty government's spen- tories. being given to Highway 407 ding blueprint for 2006/07. Fanners were also over- and no provision to improve Healthcare, agriculture, and looked. The Ministry of our GO Transit system, small business are three areas Agriculture budget has been Instead of indulging in a that have been neglected. cut again, by approximately flashy, high-profile spending The Canadian Federation $244 million and many of the spree, the Province of Ontario of Independent Business said agriculture investments high- squandered an opportunity to following the tabling of the lighted by the government are reduce some of the provincial 2006 budget that, despite-the merely re-announcements of debt. And, although I support Premier's commitment to fix. previous commitments. improvements in transporta- the onerous property tax load In the healthcare sector, the tion, and public transit, the and regulatory burden on provincial government is fact, remains that the multismall multismall business, there is no funding hospitals to the tune million dollar commitment to relief in sight. It is Ontario's of $14 billion, even though projects such as the Toronto small and medium-sized busi- they expect hospital expendi- subway extension are 5-10 nesses that create the bulk of tures to reach $16.1 billion by years ahead of actual con- new jobs and about half the 2009. By the government's struction. If the subway may total employment and eco- own numbers, it would seem not be completed for another nomic growth in our province, all but impossible for hospitals ten years, why are Ontarians At best, the McGuinty govern- to balance their books. This are paying for it today? Why ment can claim it hasn't raises the question: "If the was the budget windfall not increased business taxes. McGuinty government can't . O'TOOLE seepage?