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M ore provincial funding . aadnOmpe.TaayMa3019- needed to balance books* ,froro HOSPIAL on page 1 PONTIC BUICK CADILLAC0MeSR* Bigger sataries and rising supply cosis mean that ai 1 Per cent cash infusion wifl not be enougis 10 balance II . M L T IU U * tise books, said Mr. Oliver. "We're happy with any announcements but our pro- jections show that we're experiencing inflation and increasing cost pressures of close to $4 million," he said. Part of thse trouble stems from staff wages, which until recently had been frozen since thse early 1990s. Costs on the rise A recent acroas the board 2 per cent increase has led to higiser costs, said Mr. Oliver. He added that further wage increases are on the horizon. With the amalgamnation of the two hospitals, HHS bas also been working toward wage parity for employ- ees. In other words, workers who have not been paid equally for doing thse same job in thse two hospitals will see tisat redressed shortly. HHS coffers have also been squeezed by tise free falling Canadian buck. Needa 3 per cent more Since many medical supply companies are American, a low-flying loonie means hospitals are forced 10 psy bigger bucka for necessary equipment, said Mr. Oliver. AU in ail, it would take about a 3 per cent sisot in the arm from tise ministry to adequately balance the books, he said. 'That's where we have some real worries," said Mr. Oliver. Somne of the shortfall could be made up by the promise of a furtiser $20 million 10 be divvied up among isospitals in Ontario's fastest growing regions. So far, no specific hospitals have been identitied by tise isealth minister for that money. Stili, Mr. Oliver is hoping tisat some of the cash will flnd its way to HHS. "matm was a good thing to hear," ha said. "Vie realy do need bo keep adding staff to keep up with new pro- gram.s" Oliver keeping %lners crossed If some of the rooney does land in the lap of HHS, il will be placed where it's needed most, said Mr. Oliver. "We're laying 10 identify where the growth is occur- ring and put itthere," he said. Mr. Oliver said ha wouldn't speculate on how HHS could cope with spiraling cost if furtiser provincial funding flatlines. ".We're stili waiting. Ther are more announcemnents, 10 ha made," ha said. "I don't want 10 comment on a problern we may not face." *Automnatic a 15" Wheels'-- 36 Monthiý *Air Bags a Air Conditioning e Power Locks *ABS brakes e Rear Spoler e AM/FM Stereo îdîiàlîm1Tw 1T e " Automatic " ABS Brakes " Dual Air Bags 15 1SHP 2.L Twin Cam " Air Conditioning " Reclining Frt. Bucket " AM/FM Stereo a flTfl P " Traction Control "Power Locks * E *o * a I * *2WD Sportside *Automatic *Deep Tint * * s3rd Door Easy Access *Air Conditioning *CD Player * 4.3L V6 *Alloy Rims Bucket Seating * uoai *eptn rieCnrl Lgaz M* U nf mp«A Mrq î « aaswdptaMcbte 4Imo axoe s * I'\ lý\ 0L BUC'eI1ILA i i ý ý / ) ( ) / ( ý l ý ( 1 / / 1 f ý / , , / 1 l i ( , / ( il M i /11011. 1-800-350-8361