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TR RE mT IRR INARI, "WEEKEND STAR" RR TT Ty Te FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2001 - 7 Breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It'll be pancake time at the Masonic Hall on Oct. 7 Library News. Always something great going on at the Brooklin Branch Library and this Saturday is no exception. For the younger set, aged five and up, movie mati- nee runs from 2 to 3:35 p.m. "Spy Kids" ... nobody imagined that two of the world's top secret agents would get married, settle down and start a family. There's no charge, just call the library at 905-655-3191 to book a spot for your youngster. Legion Stuff This Saturday, Sept. 29, the live entertainment at Brooklin Legion Branch 152 will be provided by Tim Hewie from 3 to 7 p.m. No admission or cover charge, just be of legal age and join in the Brooklin Profile By Roxanne Reveler Call 655- 4420 fun with your friends and neighbours. Beef Dinner Not many spots left at the Brooklin United Church Roast Beef Dinner set for next Wednesday, Oct. 3. Tickets are $12 per. adult, $5 per child 12 and under. Pre-schoolers are free but you must get a ticket in advance for them by calling either 905-655- 8025 or 905-655-4141. There are two settings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Just remem- ber you have to make your mind up before you pur- chase them, there's no changing your mind at the last minute. There will be roast beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, condiments and those home made pies all served up by the men of the congregation. Pancake Time Those of you who went to mark the date of this season's first pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall probably realized that the day and the date weren't in sync. Well here's the second kick at the can. It will be on Sunday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Masonic Hall. Pancakes, sausages, coffee, tea and juice for only $4 per adult, $2 for kids 10 and under. Best bargain in town, and all proceeds go to such worthy causes. Alex Shepherd - Durham MP American crisis allows us to take stock of our southern neighbours The Sept. || terrorist attack in the U.S. presented Canadians with the opportuni- ty to take stock of our relationship with our southern neighbours. Throughout our history we have had a love-hate relationship with them as well as a great affiliation. And since Sept. Il, Canadians, like the Americans, have run the whole gambit of emotions ranging from grief to vengeance. The relationship is so strong it brings to mind part of a Rich Little (a Canadian who went to the US. to make the big time) routine where he says, "you can tell Canadians by the fact they drive U.S. cars, watch U.S. television and movies and sing the latest U.S. songs. That's what | like about Canadians: They have the guts to be different." What happened in the U.S. was so trag- ic and so senseless. And based on that horrific crime it is interesting to see how quickly some Canadians would like to cre- ate a seamless border. However, if you study the investigation going on in the U.S. you have to wonder if it isn't the U.S. immigration system that should be changed to protect us since many of the alleged culprits lived unde- tected for years in the U.S. It's remarkable how the Alliance and to some degree the Tories want Canadians to pledge military support to the Americans even though they have not asked for it. There is also talk of a com- mon immigration policy. Does a common immigration policy mean allowing the U.S. to police our policies? This is going on at a time when there is great talk about continental energy needs and how we have to service the U.S. needs. Why people can't see in George W. Bush's speech last week his lack of inter- est in Canada is beyond me. Many Canadians look like they are groveling. While we talk about a continental ener- gy policy our energy resources are being purchased by U.S. interests. The recent purchase of Westcoast Energy by Duke Power is just another nail in the coffin. And our retailing sector is being taken over by American interests. Just what degree of independence do we think is attainable when we don't even own the companies we are working for? Canada's strength, since the terrorists attack, lie in our ability to act indepen- dently. This means using our ability to use persuasion in various forums around the world to encourage the U.S. to use a multilateral approach to get at the terror- ists. The U.S. acting unilaterally could cause long-term instability in the world. The Americans are the last super power and they must be tempered to use their strength constructively. NATO's reaction is one clear way in which the U.S. has been "made to deal with its partners to resolv- ing the issue of terrorism. , Without an independent voice Canada's position and reasoning become meaningless. Let's make sure we can make a reasoned contribution to solving the problem of the world. Govemment establishes fund to help Ontario families caught up in U.S. crisis Ontario continues to respond to American tragedy Ontario's Continued Response to the U.S. Durham Region's hospitals, hospital laboratories, Tragedy For Ontario families whose loved ones were vic- tims of the terrorist attacks in the United States, a $3 million fund has been established by the province. This will assist with travel, funeral expenses, coun- selling services and a toll-free telephone helpline. If you need assistance, please call 1-866-406-help. In view of the delays at border crossings due to heightened security, Ontario has responded by ensuring travellers have access to the most current information. The government of Ontario added a new section to the Ministry of the Solicitor General's web site to provide truckers, businesses, travellers, and other citizens with up-to-date information on the border crossings. This allows motor carriers, drivers and shippers to better evaluate travel routes and times. The web site is located at http://www.solicitor- general.msg.gov.on. ca/english/public/tragedy.htm There are also regular updates at the provincial gov- ernment web site (www.gov.on.ca). Additional customer service representatives have been added to the Ministry of Transportation Information Hotline to better serve travellers. The MTO hotline is located at 1-800-268-4686. | am pleased to see that, as this article is being prepared, the congestion has decreased at our borders and that traffic conditions have returned to normal. Financial Donations - The Canadian Red Cross is accepting credit card donations as well as cash and cheques payable to Canadian Red Cross U.S. Tragedy. Federal Updates from the Information: in Touch JOHN ER. O'TOOLE MPP DURHAM EAST Department of Foreign Affairs web site may be found at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/menu-e.asp The toll free number is 1-800-387-3124. Funds for Diabetes Education and Prevention . Durham MPPs announced $63,000 for Durham Region Diabetes Education Services on Thursday, Sept. 20. These funds will enhance diabetes care and prevention in the community. Through awareness, education and support, dia- betes can be controlled and complications reduced. This is a needed investment in the health of Durham Region residents. As you may know, diabetes in Ontario is responsible for 40 per cent of new cases of dialysis and half of all non-traumatic amputations, blindness and heart attacks. It also accounts for an estimated 70 per cent of strokes. Since 1995, the Ontario government has invested more than $47.7 million in its Ontario diabetes strategy. Region Receives $5.4 Million for Medical Equipment long-term care facilities, clinics, and ambulance ser- vices will receive approximately $5.4 million from the Government of Ontario to upgrade and modern- ize their medical equipment. I was pleased to join my colleagues, Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax), Janet Ecker, (Pickering-Ajax- Uxbridge), and Jerry Ouellette (Oshawa) in announc- ing these funds last week. These include: a $1,159,971 for Lakeridge Health hospitals 0 $940,798 for Rouge Valley Health (Ajax and Scarborough sites) 0 $754,065 for Lakeridge Health Laboratory (Hospital Laboratory Reform) 0 $804,472 for long- term care facilities in Durham Region 0 $171,447 for ambulance services in Durham Region a $1,611,767 for independent health facilities. This is part of a $190.2 million province wide investment announced by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Hon. Tony Clement. Combined with the skill and dedication of our health care professionals, this state-of-the-art equipment will give Durham Region residents con- tinued access to high quality care close to home. Last week's announcement, coupled with the $189.5 million invested last year, means the Ontario government has now invested $379.7 million over two years for the purchase of medical equipment. These funds represent Ontario's share of the Federal Medical Equipment Trust Fund.