Ontario Remembers

Our Province is home to an estimated 80,000 Second World War and Korean War veterans. On November 11, and at other Acts of Remembrance, we honour the sacrifices of the fallen and pay tribute to all who served. Ontario recognizes our veterans in a number of meaningful ways, including the veterans’ licence plates, the Highway of Heroes designation for a portion of Hwy. 401 and the new memorial built on the grounds of the Ontario Legislature. Through the Memory Project, Ontario also supports efforts to retain the first-person recollections of veterans who served Canada at war. Each year, the Historica-Dominion Institute, sponsors of The Memory Project, facilitates visits by veterans to more than 700 classrooms. On November 9, a park in Blackstock is being named in honour of Flying Officer Roy E. Carter. This site, (Sometimes unofficially called Crestview Park.) is located near the boyhood home of Roy Carter. The new name will ensure the sacrifice of Flying Officer Carter and his comrades is always remembered in his home community.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branches are to be commended for their leadership in the Poppy Campaign and the many opportunities to remember and to show our respect. With 400 branches throughout Ontario and a membership of over 160,000, the Legion’s Ontario Command is the largest service oriented organization in the province. In addition to its leadership in Remembrance observances and its assistance to veterans and their dependants, the Legion supports sports, youth and seniors’ programs within our communities.  Its charitable foundation, in partnership with Ladies Auxiliaries, funds medical equipment and educational bursaries throughout Ontario.
More than 1.5 million Canadians served in the two World Wars and in the Korean War. More than 110,000 gave their lives for our country. The sacrifice continues today. A total of 133 Canadian soldiers have given their lives in the Afghanistan mission. Whenever possible, I attend the repatriation convoys on a bridge over Hwy. 401 on the Highway of Heroes in Durham. It is encouraging to know that new generations are honouring those who fell, those who served and those who continue to serve in the cause of freedom and peace.

Details of Auto Insurance Reforms Made Public

Automobile insurance reforms have been promised in a regulations package to take effect in the summer 2010. There are 17 consumer protection measures proposed. However, the heart of the reform package is to give drivers the option of choosing a new basic level of auto insurance that could help reduce their premiums. A more comprehensive package with additional levels of medical and rehabilitation coverage would be available at a higher price. I welcome your comments. Please contact me at (905) 697-1501 or toll-free at 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail at: john.otooleco@pc.ola.org

Time to Remove H1N1 Roadblocks

Opposition Leader Tim Hudak has called on the McGuinty Government to remove roadblacks in the way of vaccinating every Ontarian who wants an H1N1 shot.

Ontario’s doctors, nurses, and indeed all frontline healthcare staff are working tirelessly in response to the H1N1 flu. Unfortunately, the Ontario pandemic plan is not working well. Our leader is calling on the provincial government to take the following actions to stop the long lineups, ensure high-risk individuals are served, and ensure the H1N1shots are made available as quickly as possible:

· Extend vaccination clinic hours to 24 hours a day and weekends;

· Implement a school-based and work-place vaccination program;

· Establish a reliable and consistent communications protocol between the Ministry,  Chief Medical Officer and all of Ontario’s Public Health Units;

· Expand the number of clinics in high demand areas;

· Seek immediate assistance of retired physicians and nurses to administer the vaccine;

· Establish a system that expedites the delivery of vaccines to physicians.

Some of the above initiatives are already being acted upon, including the delivery of vaccines to doctors’ offices, family health teams and community heath centres. There is more to be done. When the immediate threat is over, Ontario needs to review its pandemic plans in order to ensure there is a better way to provide a mass-vaccinations in Ontario.

Business Recovery is Key to Fighting Deficit

The best way to fight Ontario’s $25 billion deficit is by building strong businesses in a strong economy. Rather than raising taxes, the Official Opposition is calling for an approach that stimulates the economy by putting money directly into the hands of consumers and job creators. The following are a few of the immediate steps this government can take to create jobs and strengthen opportunities for businesses:

• Tighter controls on government contracting to prevent the millions of dollars of waste seen at eHealth Ontario.
• A one-year freeze on payroll taxes for new hires.
• A one-year suspension of the Land Transfer Tax.
• A new independent commission to review and repeal the red tape and regulatory burden on small business,
• Repealing Bill 119, which forces independent operators and sole proprietors into paying WSIB premiums and forces employers to pay WSIB premiums for office and secretarial workers.
• An energy supply built around improving Ontario’s supply mix – including a commitment to renewing nuclear power capacity.
• Calling a halt to the $3 billion HST plan.

These ideas will encourage opportunities for all Ontarians. A more prosperous economy would naturally provide more revenue for government coffers. With an improving economy and the proper management and accountability for government spending, Ontario can avoid the endless spiral of tax-and-spend.