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6 - The Canadiýn Champion, Tuesday December 17, 2002 <COMMENT We aire ady knew il Now that the long-awaited Rozanski Report has finally been tabled we have to ask, what will bappen next? The report by Dr. Mordechai Rozanski on the Province's education funding for- mula bas confirmed wbat most outside the government have known for a long time - the formula is inadequate and bas resulted in a grossly-underfunded edocation system. Tbe report by the University of Guelph president has recommended 33 sweeping changes that would see govemment spending on education increased by $1.8 billion over the next tbree years. Mucb of wbat was said in bis report wasn't new. For example, Roanski told the Province to put $1.1 billion back into education to keep in fine witb inflation and increased salaries. Coincidentally, that was tbe exact figure the Ontario Public Sebool Boards Association claimied tbe system was undertunded by a year ago. In addition. tbe report bas recommended an additional $689 million for programns sucb as special education and Englisb as a second language. The report bas also coridemned tbe one-size-fits-alI aspect of the formula and rec- ognizes tbe rural sebool boards need more money for student transportation tban a sebool board like Toronto, and that tbe Toronto sebool board must spend more money on Eniglisb as-a-second-language instructors tban a rural board. But 00W the question remains wbetber tbe provincial govemment will act on tbe recommendations. So far tbe Ontario govemment bas quickly ponied up $250 mil- lion for special education funding and an extra $350 million for local sebool boards to settle tbeir labour contracts. The saddest part about tbis is that it took tbe Rozanski Report to prompt action from tbe govemment. 'eO UR READERS WRITE Natîvity Pageant wa, Dear Editor: 1 bave pulled together some thouglits about a commnunity event held recently. As a minister serving St. Paul's United Church, 1 was profoundly moved by the efforts of lay people ail across Milton and the surrounding ares who followed a vision. My commenta reflect my beart- felt thanks for the everyday people wbo came together to produce somnething beautful for ail to enjoy. Something beautiful happened Decemnber 6, 7, 8 and 9 St Countsy Heritage Park. Seventeen churches along with fthe business connmunity united to is înspiring: minister Governments have become hypocrîtîcal prdue'O teWa t etlee'.eregardîng chemîcal addiction: says reader Nativity Pageant attracted about 3,600 visitors from al over Ontario. Our chüi- dren simply wanted to keep gomng back night after night for more fun. Special thanks to the group called Christian Churches Worldng Together and the phenomenal leadership of Dr. Andrea Rowbottom. Your vision mnd hard work blessed countless visitors and our family of five give fhmnks for fthe joy of participating, and especially for dlie new-formned fiendships. Rey. John Benham St. Paul'$ UnflbdChurch *THE CANADIAN CHALMPION Box 248, 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 (905) 878-2341 Editoial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertising Fax: 905-876-2364 Classitied: 905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 Ian Oliver Neil Oliver Jili Davis Karen Smith Wendy McNab Steve Crozier Teri Casas Tim Coles Publisher Associate Publisher Editor-in-C hie! Edtor Advertising Manager Circulation Manager Office Manager Production Manager The Canadien Champion, pubisired euery Tuesday and Frday ai tit1 Main St. E., Mlton, Ont, LGI 4N9 (Box 248), is ose ut Tire Merslanri Priniig, Publishirîg & Distributing Liri grouof ut burbat cempasies whmch iscludes. Aa/Pickering News itrvetirser, Alisios iterald/Courier, Barrie Adance, Barrys tay This Week, Botes Enerprîse, Brampton Guardian, BulnigissPost, Burlingion Shosppng News, City Parent, City ut Yorie Guardias, Csiingwood/irnasaga Csnnectisr. East Yrk Mrror, ris Advocaie/Country Routes, Etobicoime Guardian, Famborougir Post, Forever Yung, Gergetown Indepesdent/Acton Fee Press, Hatos Busness Times, ituronia Business Times, Kingston Thins Week, Lndsay This Week, Markiram Economisi & Sus, Midland/Penetanguisirene Mrror, Mtos Shopping iNews, Mssssauga Business Tmes, Mississauga News, Napasse Guide, Nassagameya News, NewmarieeiAurora tra-Barrer, Nortumberland Ntems, Nor tork Miron, takile Beaver, taievilie Shroppng News, tiritimers Hockey Ntems, Orîllila Today, OsiawaWhitby/Carington/Port Perry Tiis Week, Peerboroughr This Weeii, Picton County Guide, Richrmondi HiifThorsiii/augitan Literai, Scariiorougit Mirrur, Soutiillebnidge Tribune. Adve0tisinB 10 accepteri os 0he condition tiratin tire suent of a typo- graphicai error, tiraiportions ofthe advertising space sccupîed by tire erro- seitus item, togtier with a reasonabie atiowance for signature, iiisoi be charged for, but ihe balance othtie advertisement wiii be pairi for ai tire appli- cabe raie. The pubtîsirer resernes th ir glit 10 categerize adeetisemenssor dectine. Tire MiteerCareaduer Orpon a sa Roeclai* Podeee Dear Editor: Recently the Toronto Sun report- ed tbat the federal govemment is in the process of approving public funding for safe injection sites for drug users. This differs from the needie excbange program in that trained medical professionals will monitor the injection of drugs. Estimates vary but millions of dollars are spent on the apprehension, educa- tion and medical treatment of drug addicts. On the other hmnd the federal and provincial goveroments take in some $7 to 8 billion in taxes from cigarette smokers and won't even pay for modest methods for reduc- ing nicotine dependency. Methadone is okay but not Nicorente Gum. Go figure! As was proven in the days of pro- bibition, prohibition doesn't work and it's not going to work with the 100 per cent smoking ban council bas forced on private-area business and some 25 per cent of the voting public. It basn't worked anywhere else no why will it work in Milton? Milton citizens didn't and haven't been asking for this 100 per cent ban despite mnecdotal evidence to the contrary. A variety of types of businesses and their employees are suffering sigificant fmmacial loss. Most Miltonimns agreed with the need for improved ventilation sys- tems and clearly-defined smoking and non-smoking establishments or areas within establishments. Banning children and limiting the minimum age on 19 for entry was also a recommendation. Nobody 1 cmn find defends or extols the benefits of smoking. Like it or not, nicotine is considered one of, if not the most addictive of drugs. The bell witb smokers, say coun- cillors Ricli Malboeuf mnd John Challinor. Council should let the feds mnd the provinces make the decisions on health matters mnd get themselves back to the more mundane matters of clemning our roads mnd picking up garbage. That's why we pay municipal taxes. Pat Kelly Milton You canhave your say wîth a Iefter to the edîtor. E-mail letters ta mîtoned@haltonsearch.com or fax to 878-4943. Pud by Steve Nease