The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

6 - The Canadian Champlon,Tuesday, February 2, 1999 SCOMMENT It's just flot their fault On today's front page, MPP Ted Chudleigh squares off against fed- eral counterpart Julian Reed concerning the divisive issue of hiking CPP contributions. Mr. Chudleigh thinks Mr. Reed's governiment is compromising Ontario's recent spurt of job creation. Mr. Reed, on the other hand, refers to the pressing need for CPP reform. He also notes that his governiment inherited an unemployment insurance programn that was deeply in the hole during the early 1990s. The Liberals are therefore reluctant to draw down social safety net initiatives such as CPP and what is now called employment insurance just because times are good. They know that given the normal swing of business cycles things will trend downward eventually again. They also, know that given Canada's aging population, CPP will be under enormous pressure down the road. Mr. Reed's argument appears valid, and likely is within its own framework, just as Mr. Chudleigh's has a certain validity, taken in iso- lation. Much the same can be said for the criticism reported last week out of Halton Region, in which various politicians complained about being little more than collection agents for an opportunistic provincial govemment. As far as all of them are concemred, high taxes are some- body else's fault. It's getting to, be a tired refrain. Oh, and by the way, all of you share fault. O UR READERS WRITE--- Twelve-yoar-old girl tells off owner of kifto'i Stop blaming OakviIIe for MiIton's obstetrics closure, Dêl itar- If ývi*enqnnrn itoiaâ says nurse upset by comments in letter from couple +THE CA1sIiuv CHAMPION Box 248, 1 Milton, C (905) 87 EditorialI AdvertisingI Classif Ian Oliver Bill Begin Rob Kelly Karen Cros Teri Casa Tise Colea 91-Main St. E., lTse Canadian Champion, published evey Tuesday anti Friday Int. L9T 4N9 at 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont., L9T 4N9 (Bon 248), is one of The Metroland Priniing, Pablishing & Distributng Lfd. groap of sub- 82341 urban compaties which includes: Ajas / Picktering News 8-2341Advertiser; Alliston HeraldlCourier; Barrie Advance; Brampton Guardian; Buriington Pont; City Parent; Collingwood / Wasaga ýax: 878-4943 Connection; East Yert Mirror; Etobîcoke Guardian; Georgetewn Independent/ Acten Free Press; Kingsten Titis Week; Lindsay ibis ýax: 876-2364 Weeit; Marithara Economist & Son; Midianti 1 Penetanguishene ied: 875-3300 Mirror; Mississauga News; Newmarket I Aurera Era Banner; Northumberlandi News; Northt York Mirror; Gakvlie Beaver 0,11lia Publisher Teday; Oshawa I Whitby / Ciaringlen I Pert Perry Tihis Week; Peterborough This Week; Richmondi Hil I Therahili I Vaughtan Associate PuJ.lisher Liberal; Scarborougt Mirror; Usbridge I Stouffviille Tribune; General Manager Today's Seniors. Edfr Advertising Is accepteti on the condition that, In lte osent of a Edtrtypographical error, that portion of the advertising space occa- Circslation Manager pied by tht erroneous item, together with a reasonabie ailowance BieMngrfor signature, will sot be chargeti for, bat tht balance of lte OfcMa age dtvertisement will be paiti for ai tbe applicable rate. The publisher Production Manager reserves tht rigbt ta categorize ativertisements or decline. Dear Editor: 1 amn writing this letter in response to the January 19 letter written by Julie and David Hall oegarding the obstetrical closure in Milton. 1 arn also a concemed citizen and resident of Milton. I arn a regis- tered nurse who has had the plea- sure of working for both Milton District and Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial hospitals and 1 was most disappointed by some of the com- ments made by the Halls. I understand how unfortunate the obstetrical closure in Milton was for aIl residents. I don't need to, be convinced of the great job done by the care tcam at the bospital, as it has served my family and myseif well for many years. Unfortunately, these credentials were flot the primary consideration in deciding to close the department. 1 believe that the misconceptions poesented in the Halls' letter may cause unfounded concemn for our town's new mothers and mothers- to-be. I arn a mother and very much aware of how important it is to have a cbild in an environent of trust and caring. I arn very disap- pointed to hear that although my colleagues and I work bard to cre- ate a positive, caring environent, some people who admidttedly have neyer visited our department feel capable of judgîng us. In the il years that I have worked as a nurse in the birthing suite, 1 can honestly say that no one bas ever been sent home in active labour. I can also bonestly say that no one bas ever been discbarged after 12 bours unless it was at the parents' request and tbey met the criteria of 'early discbarge'. Also, at no time bas a labouring woman ever been turned away because the department was too busy. It's absurd to, think that sim- ply by refusing to admit semeone, labour could be stopped. I admit that I feel a special sense of accomplisbment wben I meet a new Miltonian and I know that since many of my co-workers are also Milton residents that they fe the same way. It is truc, at this time, no one rnay deliver in Milton and I tbink the rigbt to cboose your birtbplace is a very important night. If Julie Hall feels more comfort- able delivering in a place other than Oakville, that is certainly ber decision and I hope she bas the birtb experience she desires. I. for one, probably will neyer understand the complex reasoning behind the closure at Milton bospi- tai, but it bas bappened, at least for the moment. I tbink it's time to stop blaming Oakville bospital and its staff for that closure and start looking for a positive alternative. I hope your readers agree. Beffi Robert Milton Pud by Steve Nease ~1