Region sticking to bid for private ambulances By IRENE GENTLE The Champion An 11 th-hour extension from the Province wasn't enough 10 change the direction of Halton regional counicil on downloaded ambulance services. 'Me hot topic led to a recorded vote, in which every councillor but Milton's Rick Malboeuf opted 10 begin negotiations with Halton's current suppliers, the Halton HuIs Ambulance Service and the Missîssauga Halton Ambulance Service. Both are mun by Canadian Medical Response, which is owned by Laidlaw Imc. The move came despite repeated attempts by sorte paramedics t0 convince counicillors 10 vote for an in- house system. That would make paransedics regional employees. "This is not a strike against paramedics and their position on this issue," Burlington Councillor John Taylor told the assembled crowd at a Wednesday morning meeting that stretched into the afternoon hours. "This is wanting to do the best thing for Halton." Though regions were meant to take over ambu- lances on January 1, 2000, they now have the option of waiting until 2001. The Province also recently agreed to take over 50 per cent of ambulance funding. Though Halton is still hoping tu take over the reins in 2000, the extension has allowed them t0 leave the door open to go tu a request for proposai route if nego- tiations with the cunrent suppliers hit a wall. Toronto paramnedic and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representative Carmen D'Angelo appeared before counicil to deliver a last-ditch appeal. Private sector ambulance service would result in job instability for employees and a United States style pay-before-you-go service, hie told counicil. -Why give a private operator a profit when the dol- lars can go right mbt the system," hie argued. fax your Lblanc 4943. To protest US-style service, CUPE members have been carting a credit card-festooned ambulance around Ontario in hopes of convincing regions to take ambulances in house. That tactic angered Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale. "We are not U.S. citizens here. There are aIl sorts of ways we are able to negotiate and protect our inter- ests," she said. 1I think it's cheap to say we have to go their way." Halton Mississauga Ambulance Service operations manager Ron Liersch denied that U.S-style health care is just around the comner. "I'm not too concemed with what goes on south of the border," he said. 'I'm a Halton resident and I'm proud of it." Halton is not recommending a traditional for-profit ambulance service anyway, assured tse region's med- ical officer of health Dr. Robert Nosal. Since policy regulation would be in the handa of Use Region, the suppliera would simply be paid a manage- ment fée to mun tse service. Halton is looking to hire an ambulance director to essentially step in Use shoes of Use Ministry of HealUs, said Dr. Nosal. Paramedic jobs could be in critical condition if council sticks to, Use status quo, said Mr. Malboeuf. ase. FEARS on page 5 - --- ----ý ý ý !PAVING LTD Spe---ializing in: EVASPHALT PAWNG MUINTERLOCKING C EcICONCRETE ODRIVEWAYS BRURAL PAWNG MUPARKING LOTS IRWALKWAYS & CURB 1300%ltiG _1 E GARAGE FLOORS 0 Np&el I EXCAVATION t*i .-ulo atGRADING I~W MILTON I(905) 337-PAVE (7283) IMI Members 0f Consumers Protection Bureau - -u I I I 'i I mi I I I I I SI I I I I I I I I J The Canadian Chamin y.ed Anril 6.l9 One owner. Black/Neatral leather. FulIy Ioaded 1 owner, black w/grey leather. t'uIy Ioaded, lncluding power sunroof. OnIy 58,000 kis. CM, runnîng boards, only 79,000 kms 1 $239995oe$499-L«*Mo I 27o995oe$499L-mm Black, leather, platlnum. mags, CD, 71,000 4dor5sedA/MC ste9600ks kais 1 owner.4do,5sed MF Caste9600k . 11 89888o'379xLuo ioniy f6o950 une owner, rd w/graphite coth Vauto7air eOn 1ain Ba/ileather.Pull7 iouded nciudlnqpowu cond. foul power options, only 61,500 kis. muao C .l ofluc ci ctcr wurranty. Ociy 310 . ai. ~1120888or$249=? $23,5o~4~.> Leattier, cassette, fully loaded, 77,000 km. 1126w950oe$499L«U? Dark blue, cloth, power everythlng, 1 owner, 66,000 kais. Immaculate. oniy239950 Auto, A/C, cassette, 107,000 kms. 0*i $ 10,950 I/Z ton,' regular cab. V8, auto, A/C, 38,000 kms. $20v95oer WM87tm fl P242A % Iplo Power windows/locks, auto cruise, green, 4 daor extended, 3.41 V6, fully ioaded w/rear A/C 31,000 kis. e eat. Oniy 47,000 kais w/electrc siding door. 914950oe$299XIm $219995« e73997L *FST/GST, gos, admin., licence extra. base paymnents NO MONEY OVWN OnIy 1 st & Sec., liCcce, gos, admin. Toc OAC. LUrnted fin.ieny. LOWEST FINANCE & LEASE RATES 0F THE YEAR ON USED CARS1 ATTENTION ALL USED CAR BUVERS! IF WE D«7' HAVE THE CAR YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, WE CAN GET IT FOR YOU ... PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILSIZI *FINANCING/Lasingnt'ac.A.C. PSTIGT/LICJGA&AM./EXTRA. CALL FOR DETAILS PO1AU BIC AILCC IIC PNIACMHIO I. 1 '91 ToyoTA TERCEL 1 L