www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 11, 2008 - 13 Trapped in vehicle DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER EMERGENCY EXTRICATION: Oakville firefighters and Halton Emergency Services personnel attend to one of two people who were trapped in their car following a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Trafalgar Road and Leighland Avenue on Monday evening. Once extricated, the people were taken to Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further information was available as of The Oakville Beaver's press deadline yesterday. Seeking early retirement The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) has voted against allowing the province's paramedics to retire early. The decision has been criticized by the Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) and likely won't be well received by Halton's EMS staff, according to Halton Director of Land Ambulance Services Jim King. "I think they will be disappointed," he said. Unions that represent paramedics across Ontario -- including the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents Halton EMS -- have been pushing for the right to negotiate a retirement at age 60. The OPA has argued lacking this ability could potentially put people's lives at risk. According to the OPSEU website, paramedics were designated as a public safety occupation by the federal government in 2005 alongside police and firefighters. The designation provides paramedics the opportunity to negotiate pension changes, allowing them to leave the workplace earlier. But such a pension change was turned down by OMERS. The OPA, with the paramedics' unions, plans to continue to fight for the right of early retirement for its members. Currently there are nearly 5,000 paramedics in Ontario, with about 140 serving Halton. SMART GARDENING GARDENING Expert solutions to providing a picture-perfect, ecologically sound paradise in your own backyard. Learn about native species, water conservation and alternate ground covers. Enjoy it at the Waterfront Festival BEGINS WITH YOU GardenSmart gardens for a healthy planet June 21 & 22 Coronation Park www.oakvillefestival.com Halton Healthcare Services Corporation Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony Thursday, June 19, 2008 Oakville Conference Centre · 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville 6:00 p.m. Wine & Cheese Reception 7:00 p.m. Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony By-law changes will be recommended. Audited financial statements will be available at the meeting or by calling the Hospital Administration Office at 905-338-4616.