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32nd Parliament closing sees 30 bills passed by Allan McLean MPP Simcoe East Friday, July 3rd marked the close of a productive 10-week spring sitting of the first session of the thirty- second Parliament. In total, thirty bills were given royal assent by Lieutenant Governor John Aird. I think a number of these will be of interest to you. Two bills introduced important changes in the labour area. The Employment Standards Act was amended in- troducing mandatory severance pay in cases of partial or complete business' closures. Balancing the interests of management and labour, the layoff must involve fifty or more employees over a Six- month period. A worker qualifies for severance pay after five years service with the employer and is entitled to one week's pay for each year of service toa maximum of twenty-six weeks' pay. The bill also em- powers the Ministry of Labour to require all employers to par- ticipate in manpower adjustment. committees or undértake any other actions to help former employees find new jobs. The Government of Ontario also increased compensation paid to injured workers. An additional $335 million has been budgeted from the W.C.B. Accident Fund to accommodate 10 percent, and Hine per- cent increases over the next two years. These amendments to the Workmen's Com- pensation Act reflect increases in the cost of living since the most recent benefit review two years ago. In the energy field, amendments: to the Power Corporation Act create a new mandate for Ontario Hydro. Hydro personnel will conduct home energy audits to their customers at no extra charge through the new Residential Energy Advisory Program. If the homeowner decides to act on the recommendations, the program will make loans available to help install the necessary equipment available to a maximum of $2,000 repayable over five years at a low interest rate. The new Act also gives Ontario Hydro the authority to supply steam and hot water to the Ontario Energy Corporation as part of the exciting plan to develop industries, greenhouses and fish farms at the Bruce Energy Centre. A new ministry was created amalgamating the municiap!] law area with the Ministry of Housing. The new Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will be responsible for the policies and programs of the Government in relation to municipal affairs, including financial assistance, planning, housing and community land development. The fact that the house is not sitting does not mean that members can take a break from their legislative responsibilities. Over the summer months, seven committees will sit. Highlights of the agendas' include thorough examinations of the proposed Human Rights Code and the Royal Commission on Pensions Report. I will be involved in the Standing Procedural Affairs Committee and the Standing Members Services Committee. I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. James MacKenzie and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bates of Midland and Mr. and Mrs. Ainsely J. Fox of Orillia who have all just celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversaries, as well as Mrs. Florence Sharples of Hawkestone on the occasion of her 92nd birthday. A number of distinguished guests will be paying visits to our riding. The Honourable James Snow, Minister of Transportation and Communications will be visiting our area on July 28th, the honourable Alan Pope, Minister o Natural Resources or July 28th, and th Honourable' Larry Grossman, Minister o: Industry and Tourism -on July 30th, 1981. ae "Through the com- Jf bined efforts of the § federal and provincial : P.C. Associations. for § our area, a beef bar- -- ; beque and dance is) planned for August 8th at the Orillia -- Fairgrounds. You will -- be hearing more about ~ this event at a later: = date. : . School, Secondary School, School and St. The mail strike by inside postal workers is definitely causing problems for a lot of people but Grade 13 students at local high schools seem to have been lucky in that regard. Applications to colleges and universities by graduating students at Midland Secondary Ecole Secondaire Penetanguishene Elmvale District High Theresa's High School in Midland were mostly sent out by registered mail before the strike got under way. Students' applications go through Any further applications or registration fees are being sent to the colleges and universities by courier service or PMCL delivery with some of the students electing to deliver them in person. The only students that would have problems with the mail strike with their applications would be those students who filed late, a small number compared to the total number of graduating students. eT. Sse Se faye SPECIAL CLEARANCE eLadies Summer Sandals eLadies Beach Thongs : | | | | Reg. 8.98 | SPECIAL 5.88 | | SIDEWALK SALE AT ) 5 gd : "6. 320° ee! ron Strings 4086 KITCHEN AND GIFT BOUTIQUE 263 King Street SIDEWALK SALE SPECIALS MacGREGOR BATH PRODUCTS %2 PRICE WHITE OAKS POTTERY 4 | | | | | ¥% PRICE | | | | | Bargains inevery department \ 2 0; to 8 iE ; 903 oF July 17,18 INITIAL MUGS BY KILNCRAFT 99° BEER STEINS 99 PLUS MANY MORE IN-STORE. SPECIALS eChildren's Beach Thongs ¥Y2 PRICE 1. 88 Fins Gap 287 King St., Midland i 526-2051 |! ib <a GE | --( MEE ) G SIDEWALK SAVINGS--_ July 17 and 18 DESIGNER JEANS 30 styles to choose from Tops - Dresses - Jackets - Hats - Cords - Cottons - Shirts 0% 050%: EANS JEANS 258 King Street, Midland 172 HurontarioSt., Collingwood a e. us $7 OK OK A KK OK 2K 2K 2 2K 2 2 2 OK OK I IE OIG IR OK OE AR 2K 2K OK OK OK OK KK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK Selected Hardware, Giftware and Housewares at Sidewalk Sale prices. (ff frfry Field's Hardware 323 King St., Midland 526-8001 BRACE ARICA KE Page 6, Friday, July 17, 1981 SSA AA AAA ALS = L « PRE --------------------