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i 2-The Canadian Champion, Fnday, JuIy 6, 2001 UEservi ce ÀouIJ&ID centre Specializing in... é FUEL INJECTION #AUTO ELECTAIO & CHARGING , AUTO AND TRAILER WIRING SYSTEMS é DELCO BATERIES TUNE-UP & EMISSION CONTROLS , BRAKE SERVICE @AUITO AIR CONDITIONING - SAFETY INSPECTIONS 18 Thompson Rd. Unit 12 87&7221 Region to get more funding for Workfare After exceeding Workfare placements for welfare reciptents by 69 per cent, Halton Region will see additional funding. The Region wiIl receive $298,000 in additional funding for tinding 213 placements more than the targeted 307 between March 2000 and April 2001. "The continued support of -the Halton community corn- bined witb the efforts of our staff male the Ontario Works program so successful," commented Regional Chair Joyce Savoline. "Our participants gain valuable work experience and secure euîployment through participating local businesses and non- profit organizations. 'The additional funding will allow us to continue deliver- ing this quality ptçgra." The Ontanîo Works program offers employment prepara- tdon services to those oeceiving social assistance. Participants in the prograin receive payment for job placements. Local businesses and organization interesting in becoming involved witb the programn can contact' the Halton Region Business Development Centre at (905> 825-6300. WHAT'S ON UN MILTONOI e>cbi GOLF TOURNAMENT ~ JuIy 20 Cail for details 16E9 Mili Street * 678-6660 al~ Hot Summer Deal $ 19.99 plus tax K F C .0 Its 10 pieces of lte Colonels tender chicken, tries, gravy salads and a bag of decadent Two -Bile Bic wnies. 276 Main St. 878-4171 Join us for breakfast on our patio Sat. 9 arn to noon 201 Main St. E. 905-876-4899 Kni*ght Capr dj Wednesday is 270 Main St. E. NIGHT (905) 876-3780 Wu 25e WINGS 150 Wlngs oun Thuradaiys Weekend Karaoke Thurs.-Frl.-Sat @ 9:OOpm 137 MAI SREE EST 95 88-88 Welfare cases are way down f rom PEOPLE on page il Halton had 5,605 welfare cases in June 1995 compared ta 1,074 last month. That's a staggering 81 per cent drap in welfare cases. Adelina Urbanski, Haltons commission- er of community and corporate services, said the drap in welfare rates is a resuit of a camplex series of reforms since 1995. Thase included punitive measures such as tighlening af eligibility miles and a 22 per cent cut in benefits after the Mike Harris Tories were elected. But an improved economy and work placements through Ontario Works, has helped take many off welfare assistance. "The caseload drap is quite unprecedent- ed, and we're always pleased when the rea- son is because peaple have retumed ta wark and their life is impraved," Ms Urbanski said. Subsidized day care pressured Hawever, she said the supply af subsi- dizcd cbild care bas been under pressure in Haltan with many wamen re-entering the warkfarce in jobs that may pay $ 10 ta $11 per haur. "If it's a mam with a cbild or two at home, its really bard unless there's subsi- dized child care ta belp keep people off the system." Social Services Minister John Baird said the Mike Harris govemment and its munic- ipal partners have created more than 69,000 placements as part ai tbe work fare program, more than double tbe previous total. 1t applaud aur municipal partoers for creating placement opportunities l'or peo- ple on welfare," said Mr. Baird in a news release. -Tbey recognize, as we do. that it's important for welfare offices ta go beyond providing just a cheque, ta belping people gel the skills tbey need ta, land a job."* Halton Region created 520 job place- ments during the past year, for the 1,364 people required ta work for welfare. That bas led ta close ta $300000 in payments from the Province ta Hallon Regian this year for acbieving and exceeding ils work- fare targets. Literacy, drug testing coming Tbe govemment's next steps will include mandalory literacy testing and dmug treat- ment for welfare recipients. Ms Edwardb was quick ta take a less charitable view of tbe reduced welfare numbers saying lbey represent a shift in eligibilîty miles, and alsa reflect a large number of people pushed off welfare ta become the working poor. 1t would ask the question, wbere are those people?" she said. "What kind of training dîd tbey have ta keep tbem off welfare and employed, and 1 would won- der what tbe qualily of their lufe is." She's bigbly critical of welfare rates so low that people must rely on f ood banks ta survive. In addition, sbe's fmustrated witb tbe lengtby waiting lists for assisted bous- ing and subsidized cbild care. "If we're doing well with dropping aur social assistance rates so exlraordinarily," she said "then why aren't we mare gener- ous with those who have special problems, multiple problems that keep them on social assistance?"