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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JULY 25,2001 PAGE 7 Auto layoffs lead to big jump in El claims However, worst likely behind us as industry picks up steam BY MARTIN DERBYSHIRE Staff Writer DURHAM -- While total employment insurance (El) claims in Durham Region Region took a dramatic hike earlier this year, local labour officials arc saying the big leap docs not indicate indicate a recession and a turnaround turnaround is imminent. According to Human Resources Development Canada's (HRDC) Oshavva Human Resource Centre's labour market quarterly review, review, El claims in Durham rose over 75 per cent to a 12-month high of 11,387 in March, up from 6,488 in the same month a year earlier. earlier. "That is a big jump," said Diane Lee, labour market market analyst with HRDC, while refusing to say it definitely definitely indicates a looming recession. "I would not say it means we're in a recession, it is one measure, but it's not the only indication." March totals also represent represent a three-month jump of about 105 per cent, a dramatic dramatic increase from December December 2000 when total claims reached 5,540. Ms. Lee pinpointed one key area for the increase. "We're seeing these numbers because of mass layoffs in the auto sector," she said. "The majority of applications are coming from the auto industry, not only from the bigger com panies. but when GM and DaimlerChrysler have layoffs layoffs their supplier plants arc also affected." However, although the DaimlerChrysler trim plant in Ajax announced it was preparing to lay off some employees this year based on market demands, Bob Renaud, DaimlerChrysler vice-president of public and government affairs, said no actions had been taken yet. John Graham, Canadian Auto Workers national service service representative for all General Motors' plants, said the rise in auto sector El claims may have been due to six weeks of down time in Oshawa's No. 2 plant and one week in plant No. I, impacting approximately approximately 5,400 workers. However, lie expects things to turn around in the immediate immediate future. "We've hit rock bottom and we don't expect any more layoff weeks for the rest of this year," he explained. explained. "There is overtime scheduled for both plants in Oshawa and no more down time is planned." Applications for El arc coded by industry and job description, with auto-as- semblcr claims, which Ms. Lee said represent the largest portion Of the auto sector, reaching 4,942 in March. Ms. Lee agreed the worst is likely behind us, as total claims dropped 19 per cent in April and 24 per cent in May. Auto-assembler claims also dropped 32 per cent in April and 49 per cent in May, reflecting a more secure secure future on the horizon for the auto sector. .■I i, 29 (it's a boy) ♦ We do foils,-. , . . ♦ Perms are back ♦ Computer imaging available Joanne will be working Wed., Thurs., Fri. and Sat. Envy Hair Design Scùgog St. 905-623-4551 Just because the markets have their ups and downs doesn't mean your portfolio should. Just ask Merrill Lynch. Wc can provide you with a personalized plan to help you choose appropriate investment vehicles to achieve your goals without exposing your savings to undue risk. Wc will create a portfolio that is financially sound and evaluate your circumstances circumstances as market conditions change. Greg York, Financial Consultant 1 Mary Street North Oshawa, ON LIG 7W8 (905)576-1726* 1 800 661-0243 Merrill Lynch Canada Inc. Member - C1PF Greg York Financial Consultant 5 Merrill Lynch GAMBLING PROBLEM? If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem, please call the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-230-3505, or in your community: Pinewood Centre Ajax 905-683-5950 Bowmanville 905-697-2746 Oshawa 905-571-3344 Port Perry 905-985-4721 Toll Free 1-888-881-8878 V 1V> OnUitol'Jitnniloi RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING Clarington Leading the Way C' CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON COMMUNITY EVENT ■ CLARINGTON TOURISM OFFICE COMMUNITY DAY Sunday, August 19, 2001 11:00 AM-4:00 PM Clarington Tourism Office 181 Liberty Street South, Bowmanville BBQ, Games, Prizes, Jumping Castle Find out what your local Tourism Office has to offer.. And have a whole lotta fun while you're at it!!! For information call 905-623-4356. Write us The Statesman welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be limited to 150 words and signed with a full first and last name OR two initials and a last name. Letters must include a telephone number for confirmation purposes. Unsigned letters will not be printed. FAX them: 905-623-6161 EMAIL them: jbobbitt® durhamregion.com MAIL them: 62 King St. W„ Bowmanville, ON. L1C3K9 The Statesman online www.durhamre5i0n.com aurnam Qanngtm Leading the Way W CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON PUBLIC INFORMATION WORKSHOP I CONCESSION STREET IMPROVEMENTS WELLINGTON STREET TO LIBERTY STREET The Municipality of Clarington in cooperation with the Region of Durham is proposing improvements to Concession Street from east of Wellington Street to west of Liberty Street. A Public Information Workshop will be held to discuss the proposed reconstruction of Concession Street to an urban standard with the installation of concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalks, grassed boulevards, replacement of existing storm sewers, sanitary sewers and watermains. In addition, improvement initiatives for intersecting streets including the future status of the CPR bridge at Prospect Street and pedestrian improvements at the Elgin Street bridge will be discussed. The Information Workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2001 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville. A formal presentation of the preliminary design concepts concepts will be given at 7:00 p.m. You are cordially invited to attend the Information Workshop. Preliminary design drawings for the improvement proposals will be available for your review and staff will be on hand to answer questions. Your knowledge of the area and input can provide valuable information for finalizing the design plans. If you are unable to attend and require further Information you may contact the undersigned with any input, questions or concerns. A.S. Cannella, GET Manager, Engineering Services Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington Phone: 905-623-3379 Ext. 203 40 Temperance Street BOWMANVILLE, Ontario. L1C 3A6 Qaringtm Leading the Way C7 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION 1 STREET NAME CHANGES AND THE 9-1-1 SYSTEM Bell Canada in 1994 commenced the upgrading of Durham Region's 9-1-1 system to a Fully Mapped Address Verified PERS Public Emergency Reporting Service System. The Municipality has been advised that this new system requires a unique address for each property within the Municipality. Duplicate street names cannot be accommodated. The computer system requires unique addresses for each property within each municipality so emergency response staff can quickly determine the emergency location. Many municipalities in Ontario have already moved to this system. A variety of possible alternative street names is to be discussed. A presentation will be made by municipal staff and 9-1-1/Bell Canada representatives. The purpose of these information sessions is to determine, with residents, the "preferred" alternative to the existing duplicate street name. The Planning Services Department is holding six (6) Public Information Sessions as follows: FOR BURKETON, ENNISKILLEN AND HAYDON Tuesday, August 7, 2001 at Haydon Community Centre 2503 Concession Road 7, Haydon, Ontario 7:00 p.m. Affected Streets Pine Street (Burketon) Centre Street (Enniskillen) Church Street (Haydon) King Street (Haydon) Mill Street (Haydon) Nelson Street (Haydon) FOR KENDAL Tuesday, August 14, 2001 at Kendal Community Centre 6742 Newtonville Road, Kendal, Ontario 7:00 p.m. Affected Streets Church Street King Street Mill Street Queen Street FOR NEWCASTLE VILLAGE Thursday, September 6, 2001 at Newcastle Village Community Hall, 20 King Street West, Newcastle, Ontario, 7:00 p.m. Affected Streets Church Street Park Street Queen Street FOR HAMPTON Wednesday, August 8, 2001 at Hampton Hall 5360 Old Scugog Road, Hampton, Ontario 7:00 p.m. Affected Streets Division Street Elgin Street King Street Mill Street Simpson Avenue Temperance Street FOR NEWTONVILLE Wednesday, August 15, 2001 at Newtonville Community Hall 21 Church Street, Newtonville, Ontario 7:00 p.m. Affected Streets Church Street Mill Street FOR ORONOAND LESKARD Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at Orono Town Hall 5315 Main Street, Orono, Ontario, 7:00 p.m. Affected Streets Church Street (Leskard) Centre Street (Orono) Church Street (Orono) Division Street (Orono) Mill Lane (Orono) Mill Street (Orono) Park Street (Orono) Victoria Street (Orono) Mr. Bob Russell Planning Services Department Municipality of Clarington Phone: 905-623-3379 Ext. 341 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L1C3A6