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Page 4 The Clarington/Courtice Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, March 15, 1997 Report from Queen's Park by John O'Toole Changes to Mega-City Bill Students, teachers and provincial politicians will have a vacation this week. March break is a tradition which causes some relief and some controversy every year. It is a time to reflect on this break and realize its intended purpose. Many of us will argue that we need the break, while others will argue that they need a break as well. I consider this as preparation preparation time for the next semester semester of business. I know in my situation, I will use the time to relax and prepare to participate participate in the heavy schedule of public meetings which I will be participating in around the province. I might add that our constituency constituency office will be in full operation. Bill 103, "An Act to replace the seven existing municipal governments of Metropolitan Toronto by incorporating a new municipality municipality to be known as the City of Toronto", has completed public hearings. The Megacity debate and informal referendum has caused your provincial government to examine proposed, amendments amendments to the legislation. I know there will be amendments. We have heard important input and recognize that people do accept that changes must be made, while at the same time they do not want their taxes to go up. What has made this legislation legislation so confusing to the public, public, is that some people have lumped in a number of other pieces of legislation in the debate. Several other proposed pieces of legislation resulting from the Crombie, Who Does What exercise have made the cost of providing services more uncertain. Naturally,. people cannot firmly decide in favor of change, without understanding understanding the cost of these changes. Simply stated, if the province is removing education's $5.4 billion from your municipal tax base, it should not transfer any more than $5.4 to the municipalities. From what I have heard, human services like welfare should remain primarily funded by the province. Keep in mind, that Bill 103 is not the same issue as the transfer of funding issue. At the end of the day, we must ensure that local services are paid for locally and provincial services services are spread over the provincial tax base. Bill 106, which deals with Municipal finance assessment reform, is the place to start, so that everyone pays their fair share. We must also eliminate duplication duplication at every level. We...recognize that people do accept that chanqes must be made, while at the same time they do not want their taxes to go up. Hospital restructuring or the Health Services Restructuring Commission led by Dr. Duncan Sinclair has made a report on the Toronto hospitals. The commission commission has made recommendations recommendations for many other areas around the province and will visit Durham in April. Dr. Sinclair has stated, and I quote, there are too many hospitals and too many doctors doctors in Ontario. Michael Strofolino, President of the Hospital for Sick Children said in the Globe and Mail on February 28th, "hospitals do not equal health care despite the tumult and anxiety that changes bring, this hospital supports the restructuring of the health care system that is under way". This, like all change, is an emotional issue. We must have a system that provides high quality health services for all Ontarians in the right place at a price we can afford. I read in the paper today, of the decline in jobs despite low interest rates. I am of the view that governments, by themselves, can do little to create jobs. At the same time, when I look at government regulations and inhibitors to job creation, I realize that CPP, Employment Insurance and WCB premiums are taxes on jobs. Many employers are reluctant reluctant to create a new job and would prefer to extend overtime, overtime, contract and employ people part time rather than open a new position. The federal government's position on increasing the CPP premiums without considering considering the surplus in the El fund is a mistake. Our government government believes that more taxes and regulations drive small business under ground with the net result in loss of income to themselves. Safety in our nuclear plants, especially in Durham, is important to every one of us. Ontario Hydro's nuclear plants are licensed and regulated regulated ,by the federal government's government's Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB). The recent, court decision to release the peer review reports to the public, has recently been questioned in. the legislature. The peer reviews are internal audits and have always been addressed internally. In fact, Ontario Hydro has put in place, a team of world wide experts to continually review safety issues. Nuclear energy is a very technical area and must always be in conformance conformance with the world's highest highest industry standards. Public safety is a fundamental government government responsibility and the public does have the right to know. Melissa Semplonius, a grade 8 student from Knox Christian School, is the fourth Legislative Page chosen from Durham East. Melissa's experience experience during this "Mega" session of the legislature has been a memorable experience. experience. Contact my constituency constituency office to find out how to apply for this wonderful educational educational experience. Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Elects Officers The slate of officers for 1997 was introduced to members of the Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce at a dinner meeting on Tuesday night, February 25, in the Newcastle Community Hall. Pictured above are: (front row) Barb Shetler, Joyce Kufta, Troy Young, Joan Kimball, Linda Johnston and Helen Simpson; (middle row) Judy Hope, Jean Graham, Gcri Bailey and Hans Verkruiscn; and (back row) Paul Bennett, John Clark, Rod McArthur and Ron Radcliffe. The Chamber's 1997 president is Troy Young. Joyce Kufta is Vice President; Joan Kimball is Secretary and Co-Treasurers are Linda Johnston and Judy Hope. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Newcastle Chamber. Welfare Caseload Up Slightly in February Minister of Community and Social Services Janet Ecker has released the latest social assistance caseload statistics. statistics. Ontario's caseloads increased slightly by 0.1 per cent, or 758 cases in February. Caseloads traditionally traditionally rise during the winter months. However, this is the smallest February increase experienced over the last 11 years, with the exception of the caseload decline in February of 1996. "The _ economy remains strong and our welfare reforms, such as tougher eligibility eligibility rules and new anti fraud initiatives, continue on track," said Ms. Ecker. "Our government's measures arc working and I am confident we have reversed the overall trend to ever increasing welfare welfare caseloads." Since June 1995, 193,193 people have left the welfare system. CROSSWORD 2 1 2 3 14 17 20 26 27 28 33 36 39 42 43 45 47 48 53 57 60 10 11 12 13 16 19 30 35 31 32 ACROSS 1. Mets' stadium 5. Partner of chapter 10. Defrost 14. Bunk beds 15. Fiat 16. "To. His Own" 17. Expecting the best 19. Canasta's card 20. Lipton's libation 21. CSA's Robert 22. Jerry-built structure 23. Bible book 24. Chopped liver's uptown kin 26. Foxy 29. Old pros 33. Pope and Prior 34. Pool move 35. Gogh 36. Bear: Fr. 37. Center 38. Ishmael, e.g. 39. World power: abbr. 40. Martian, e.g. 41. Rapidity 42. Reasons for massages 44. Sufferer 45. Remains after dinner 46. Highland dagger 47. She goes home with outstanding actors 49. Bach work 50. Youth gp. 53. Attach to 54. Ousts 57. Actress Sommer 58. Couric of "Today" 59. Psychoanalyst Erikson 60. Villainous look 61. Get on one's feet 62. Wagers DOWN 1. Gael 2. Expectation 3. Kett of the comics 4. was saying... (2 wds.) 5. Like some threats 6. Ford flop 7. Customary observance 8. Bot. or chem. 9. List-ending abbr. 10. Tie up 11. Leporid 12. Scored on serve 13. Toddler's constant question 18. Cat calls 22. Plant part 23. Tony's gang 24. Two-time Argentine president 25. Powerful particle 26. Nozzle 27. Monopoly prop 28. Aired anew 29. Urns 30. Cry aboard 31. Smart in dress 32. Derisive look 34. Three in the Fountain 37. Splotch 38. Swimmer Spitz 40. Sprightly 41. Rigorous 43. Gloomy 44. Clouded over 46. "Mack the Knife" singer 47. 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