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a Slr val lh "WEEKEND STAR" a CA ERTS TO maa. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2000 - 31 al a Much to address as MPPs resume sitting Staying in Touch JOHN R. O'TOOLE MPP DURHAM EAST Summer has been wet and wild, you might say. I have missed publishing my week- ly column. However, our community office has been busy trying to schedule vacation time for everyone. At the same time, we have remained open and accessible to our constituents. There are always issues to deal with provincially and locally. The Walkerton water situation has made each of us aware of this fundamental necessity that we have all taken for granted for many years. Besides the public inquiry that is going on, as a government, we must step up to this issue and assure people that procedures and responsibilities are addressed. Locally, we have had many questions on water, private wells and testing procedures and | want to com- mend our Durham Regional Public Works and Medical Officer of Health for responding: to: what:I-know must have been a heavy demand. | am assured that the Durham Region water supply is safe. Those who are on private wells must be sure to have their wells tested and take. the necessary action. The province has implemented, "Operation Clean Water," an action plan that will focus province-wide efforts to improve water quality and delivery in 'the province. The Ontario Water Resources Act came into effect on Aug. 26. These tough new standards will increase the range and frequency of testing in addi- tion to mandating disinfecting processes (filtration and chlorinating). Municipal waterworks staff must be licensed, there will be mandatory use of accredited labs, mandatory notification procedures established between the lab, the med- ical officer of health and the Ministry of the Environment. Accreditation and reporting of testing to the public will also be mandatory. I believe that many municipalities will be strengthening their water supply sys- tems under infrastructure improvements which will invelve all three levels of gov- ernment. Over the summer months, the three most important issues facing my riding have been: 0 The matter of paper sludge being stored on the Oak Ridges Moraine. A group of citizens have formed "Protect the Ridges" and have held a number of open meetings this summer. The Ministry of the Environment has attended these meetings and has been \ conducting tests. I support the concerns of my constituents and am working with members of local coun- cils in Oshawa, Scugog and Clarington as well as the Ministry of the Environment to ensure that there is no adverse effect with the paper sludge. I might add that there is an ongoing pilot study by the Ministry of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), with regard to the application of paper sludge in agricultural fields. I have had both the Ministers of the Environment and Agriculture in my rid- ing this summer to review these mat- ters. The secondary issue is the storage of the Atlantic Paper sludge in the moraine. a In agriculture, the difficulties with early wet conditions and commodity prices post a serious problem. Several of my constituents invited me to observe first hand the impact the weather has had on their yields, espe- cially with corn and soybean crops. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, along with the Durham Federation of Agriculture, have held meetings across the province and I can assure you that the minister is aware of and supports your concerns with respect to farm relief programs. a Intensified farming and dealing with manure is also a high priority not only in Durham, but across the province and country as well. There is a discussion paper on this issue and | fully expect legislation early in this fall session. Land mass along with the num- ber of livestock units will allow munici- pal input on sound environmental farming operations. The vast majority of livestock operations are already in compliance with an environmental farm plan. Agriculture is challenged globally and changing rapidly. Every living creature is dependent on food, yet while human and animal populations are increasing rapidly, our arable landmass is actually shrinking. Industrialized nations as well as third world countries are struggling with the issues of clean air, water and soil. On the other hand, science is attempting to introduce pest and draught resistant seeds, or genetically modified organisms. Like our water sup- ply that we have taken for granted, our food supply and demand for more of everything is at the foundation of many current challenges here at home and around the world. In addition, our agricultural business- es are now expensive to operate, involve high risks, and many family arms face problems. The next time you open a ) box of cere- al, remember that Tiger Woods or some other celebrity gets more per box than the farmer does. The politics of gas pricing Straight Talk by ALEX SHEPHERD DURHAM M.P. With rising gas prices people are once again turning to their government for answers. It is difficult for people to compre- hend that one of the results of global trading is that actions by oil-producing countries, most notably OPEC, affects the price we pay at the pumps. Canada, long ago, moved away from a two-price energy policy. Remember when current Progressive Conservative premier, and Canadian Alliance support- er, Ralph Klein quipped about letting 'eastern Canadians freeze in the dark? Many point to government tax as a major share of gasoline pricing. Federal tax on a litre of gasoline is approximate- ly 14.5 cents. Ontario's tax is approxi- mately 14.7 cents. I admit the federal tax is ad volorum, meaning as prices go up, so does the tax. If you got out a schedule of gasoline prices since 1950 and took out both the taxes and the rate of inflation, you would see that gasoline prices in fact are not that much different today. But the fact remains we Canadians take oil for granted. We let the Middle East dictate pricing and we let ourselves be held hostage to what they want to sell "a barrel of oil for. We should be thinking about devel- oping our own alternative power sources, about reducing consumption and the conser- vation of our environment. Over 5,000 people died last year due to respiratory ail- ments related to airborne pol- lutants. A simple westerly drive along Hwy. 401 toward Toronto very quickly makes you aware that there is something terri- bly wrong with the atmosphere when you see a constant haze of pollution over the city. We're copying all the ugly develop- ment of the U.S. We increase the density of the Toronto downtown core without much thought to how this is affecting the lives of people, like us, who live on this city's fringe or those of us who have to work there. ~The average car spews off C02 emis- sions annually that is four times the weight of the vehicle. That means we are all sharing in the demise of our environment. Increased fuel prices are an added burden on those with fixed incomes and those who live on low incomes who have no alternative but to get behind the wheel. Today's oil prices are also hard on our truckers, cab drivers and anyone else who make their living behind the wheel paying for their own fuel. But perhaps we should be thinking about getting more freight off the high- ways and on to trains which are more energy efficient. We also need to speed up the process alternative fuels, alterna- tive nitrogen and electric based vehi- cles. Care to respond to these columns? E-mail 'port.perry.star@sympatico.ca ER PHONE (005) 985-7383 ~ FAX (005) 985-3708 180 MARY 57. PORT PCRNRY, ONT. ATRIA) 2.00 each, DC42 3-pod, 3.1/2" x 6-172". verinn rene 310 000N, Invoices. D031 2pon, 538° 1 8° " ' 449 each. 77 Statements. 00101 2-part. 5-3/8" x 6°. 4.40 oxh. 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