HomeMy WebLinkAboutNA2007_09_21Provincial
tests scores
hover close
to last year
Catholic board
up in most areas;
public board
experiences some
slight decreases
By Crystal Crimi
ccrimi@durhamregion.com
DURHAM — The percentage
of Durham students meeting the
provincial test standard is near or
higher than the Ontario average
for Grade 3 and 6, but below for
Grade 9.
According to the Education
Quality and Accountability Office’s
(EQAO) 2006/2007 school board
by board results, Durham made
some gains in Grade 9 math, but
still has fewer students meeting
the standard than the provin-
cial average. The expectation is a
level three or four on EQAO tests
– equivalent to a ‘B’ or higher.
“The Grade 9 math results, we
seem to have leveled off there,”
said Paul Pulla, the Durham Cath-
olic District School Board’s direc-
tor of education.
Mr. Pulla said the board hadn’t
closely looked at the results yet
and will analyze them in greater
depth to determine how they can
be improved.
At the Catholic board, 24 per
cent of all applied students met
the standard, compared to 26 last
year; and 62 per cent met it in
academic, up from 59. The pro-
vincial average is 35 for applied,
Candidates agree on
shelving Pickering plan
By Keith Gilligan
kgilligan@durhamregion.com
DURHAM — Electors in Ajax-
Pickering Riding who oppose an
airport in Pickering could prob-
ably vote for any of the candidates
on Oct. 10.
Four of the five hopefuls in the
riding attending an all-candidates
meeting in Claremont on Wednes-
day came out against an airport.
Andrew Carvalho of the Family
Coalition Party of Ontario was the
only candidate not present.
About 100 people attended
the event, held at the Claremont
Community Centre and hosted by
Land Over Landings and ratepayer
groups in north Pickering.
Candidates were asked what
their position and their party’s was
on a possible Pickering airport.
“Personally, it should be put to
rest once and for all,” said Cecile
Willert, the Green Party candidate.
”We don’t want to hear anything
more about it. We’ll petition the
federal government to stop it.”
Liberal Party candidate Joe Dick-
son noted, “As an MPP, I pledge
my opposition to an airport. I’ll
do it in the form of a public docu-
ment. I’ll do it in front of Pickering
council and in front of the (provin-
cial) legislature. Let’s put it to bed
once and for all.”
“We oppose this airport plan,”
echoed New Democratic Party
hopeful Bala Thavarajasoorier.
“We definitely oppose this move.”
Kevin Ashe, running for the Pro-
gressive Conservative Party, is also
opposed to an airport, saying it
was PC Premier “Bill Davis’s gov-
ernment that stopped the airport
in the mid-70s. He stopped infra-
structure support and road sup-
port.”
He added it was time to put a
“stake through the heart” of the
matter.
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Province wants brakes Province wants brakes
put on truck driversput on truck drivers Page 18Page 18
SPARKLING CONVERSATION
AJ Groen/ News Advertiser photo
Jacob Lozano spent some time during an event marking the 25th
anniversary of the Pickering Recreation Complex talking with Sparky
from the Pickering Fire Department. The celebration was held this
past weekend.
Time to put ‘stake
through the heart’
of airport proposal
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durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 2 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, September 21, 2007
McTeague critical of move
By Jeff Mitchell
jmitchell@durhamregion.com
DURHAM — Drug enforcement officers
at the RCMP station in Bowmanville are on
the move as top brass redeploy resources to
battle the importation of dope from other
countries.
But, contrary to claims by a local politi-
cian, the shift doesn’t mean the force is turn-
ing its back on Durham, according to the
Mountie in charge of the Toronto region.
In a telephone interview Superintendent
Robert Davis confirmed the transfer of 19
drug officers from Bowmanville to duties
at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport,
justifying the move as an intelligence-based
shift of resources to address drug smug-
gling.
“From time to time, like any organization,
we look at where our risks are and how we’re
going to mitigate those risks,” Supt. Davis
said.
“The Toronto airport has been identified
as a risk area ...our objective is to attack the
drug problem at its source.”
In essence, the Mounties are assigning
officers to Pearson to stem the flow of illegal
drugs into Canada, “rather than chase it
down once it’s in the country,” he said.
Drug officers covering Durham Region
will work out of the Mounties’ Newmarket
detachment, Supt. Davis said.
The move was criticized by Pickering-
Scarborough East MP Dan McTeague, who
distributed to the media letters he’d written
to federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell
Day. Mr. McTeague said the redistribution
of officers doesn’t jibe with the Conservative
government’s anti-crime stance.
“If there is indeed a plan to downsize
the RCMP drug squad at Bowmanville, how
does that fit with the government’s agenda
and how does reducing the RCMP contin-
gent help local officers to combat illegal
drugs and the criminal element that profit
from them?” Mr. McTeague asked in a letter
addressed to Mr. Day.
A Public Safety spokesman said that while
Mr. Day would respond to Mr. McTeague,
the ministry had no immediate statement.
“At this point it’s an internal RCMP opera-
tional matter,” Philip McLinton said.
But Supt. Davis said the move is a rede-
ployment, not a reduction of officers. And
he promised the Bowmanville office will
continue to function as an active RCMP
detachment. “Over the next year we will see
an increase in drug resources in the Toronto
area,” he said.
“We are mindful of the growth in the (Dur-
ham) area; that detachment remains impor-
tant to us.” Supt. Davis made his comments
about the need for increased vigilance at the
Toronto airport a week after Durham police
held a news conference to announce the
arrest of 12 people and the seizure of $3 mil-
lion worth of cocaine.
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THE NEWS ADVERTISER, September 21, 2007 PAGE 3 A/Pdurhamregion.com
RCMP drug cops redeployed to Pearson Be the Ajax fire
chief for a day
AJAX — The Town is offering youths a chance
to be the fire department’s top dog.
The Chief for a Day contest is open to Ajax
youths from Grades 2 to 6. The winner will be
the Ajax chief on Thursday, Oct. 11.
Students have to create a poster illustrat-
ing the importance or requirements for smoke
alarms in all homes. Entry forms are available
at local elementary schools and McDonald’s
Restaurants. “With the recent change to smoke
alarm legislation in Ontario, it’s important to
make Ajax residents aware that smoke alarms
are required on every level and outside all
sleeping areas,” says Chief Randy Wilson in a
press release. The deadline for submissions is
Wednesday, Sept. 26. Entries can be returned
with their posters to their school or to one of the
three Ajax McDonald’s Restaurants.
Covering
the
Durham
news scene
ehatfield@durhamregion.comREPORTER ERIN HATFIELD
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durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 4 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, September 21, 2007
Please recycle this newspaper
NEWS ADVERTISER
There’s lots more news online at durhamregion.com
The candidates were also
quizzed on the Progressive
Conservative Party’s plan to
fund faith-based schools.
Mr. Ashe conceded, “It is an
issue people are talking about.”
He praised party leader John
Tory for “taking a leadership po-
sition,” adding there are “53,000
students out of the public edu-
cation system. He wants to do
it because it’s the right thing to
do.”
Premier Dalton McGuinty
has spent “$20 billion on faith-
based education in the last four
years. It’s the Catholic system.
Remember Mr. McGuinty spent
$20 billion and now he thinks
it’s a terrible thing,” Mr. Ashe
stated. “I believe in one inclu-
sive school system,” said Ms.
Willert. “It’s better to have all
children in one system.”
“I support one school system.
We have a huge opportunity to
save money. The estimated sav-
ing would be $500 million. We
can put that money back into
classrooms, where it’s needed
the most,” she added.
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Durham MPP All Candidates Meetings
All Ontarians Deserve a Fair Share
Residents of Durham receive $221 per resident less in provincial
funding for healthcare compared to other Ontarians.
Durham Region adults and children receive $218 less per resident
for social and community based services.
The same is true of every other GTA/905 community in Halton,
Durham, Peel and York.
This is because Durham Region and other GTA/905 communities
are growing faster than any other place in Ontario and Provincial
Funding for local health and social services is not keeping pace
with the growth.
What does this mean to you and your family?
You can wait longer for hospital care.
You have less access to social services.
Your community is less attractive to investors
What are your candidates going to do about it?
Ask them in person on:
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
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Thursday, October 4, 2007
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THE NEWS ADVERTISER, September 21, 2007 PAGE 5 Pdurhamregion.com
Faith funding a hot topic at debate
EDITORIAL NEWS ADVERTISER
Metroland Durham
Region Media Group
Tim Whittaker, Publisher
Joanne Burghardt, Editor-in-Chief
Mike Johnston, Managing Editor
Duncan Fletcher,
Director of Advertising
Andrea McFater,
Retail Advertising Manager
Eddie Kolodziejcak,
Classified Advertising
Abe Fakhourie,
Distribution Manager
Lillian Hook, Office Manager
Cheryl Haines,
Composing Manager
Janice O’Neil, Composing Manager
[ Contact us ]--
News/Sales 905-683-5110; Clas-
sifieds 905-683-0707; Distribution
905-683-5117; News Fax 905-683-
0386; General Fax 905-683-7363;
E-mail mjohnston@durhamregion.
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mercial Ave., Ajax, Ont. L1S 2H5
[ About Us ]--
The News Advertiser is a Met-
roland Media Group newspaper.
The News Advertiser is a member
of the Ajax & Pickering Board of
Trade, Ontario Community News-
paper Assoc., Canadian Commu-
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Canadian Circulations Audit Board.
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Unauthorized reproduction is
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[ Letters Policy ]--
We welcome letters that include
name, city of residence and phone
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and one submission in 30 days. We
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plaints, congratulations and thank
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EDITORIALS & OPINIONS
infodurhamregion.com
A/P PAGE 6 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, September 21, 2007 durhamregion.com
Goalie Sampson ready to step
up for Panthers this season
I t’s been a long wait for Pickering Pan-
thers’ goaltender Connor Sampson.
The 19-year-old puck stopper
watched, learned and practised as a
backup last season, but is now getting
the chance to prove he belongs as a
starter this year.
So far, the Panthers are 1-2, with
Sampson starting all three games. In
its most recent effort, a 4-1 loss in the
Panthers’ home opener to the Markham
Waxers, Sampson was solid in turning
aside 31 of 35 shots.
Playing behind a completely revamped
blue line with no returning defence-
men from last season is a tall order for
the second-year junior netminder. He’ll
definitely be in the hot seat to bail out
his teammates game in and game out.
But, he feels he’s up for the challenge.
“I didn’t get my chance to help the
team much last year, so I’m trying to
work my hardest this year, help the team
achieve most of our goals, come first
in our division and myself I’m working
towards an NCAA scholarship at the
end of the year. So, I want to do my best
to help the team and help myself at the
same time,” said Sampson, one half of
the Panthers’ goaltending tandem that
also includes Ben Calma, formerly of the
Markham major midgets.
Last season, Sampson served as the
understudy to starter Brad Fogal, who
came over to the Panthers in an early-
season six-player deal between the New-
market Hurricanes and the Panthers.
Fogal immediately assumed the No.
1 role and was definitely the Panthers
go-to goalie, leading the team to two
Game 7 victories in last year’s playoffs
against the Toronto Junior Canadians
and the Vaughan Vipers before flaming
out in the league quarter-finals to the St.
Michael’s Buzzers.
But, Fogal’s moved on, accepting a
scholarship to Adrian College in Michi-
gan. Now, Sampson is relishing the
chance to be front-and-centre in the
Panthers’ net.
“It’s been a little different. Last year,
I only started in seven games, so I was
only going probably once a month, so
I’m already halfway there to how many
games I played last year. It’s what I like, I
get more into my groove this way, play-
ing more often.”
If there was a positive for the Whit-
by resident to sitting and waiting for
an opportunity to play, it was gaining
knowledge and insight from Fogal, a
diminutive netminder who was arguably
the best goaltender the Panthers have
brought on in many years.
“I learned a lot from Fogal. He’s a
veteran starter; he helped me out a lot
with the mental points of the game.
He always had a strong focus and he
showed me how to be a good starter for
this year.”
An inexperienced blueline notwith-
standing, Sampson is eager to see what
the Panthers become as the season
wears on.
“Once we get used to one another we
should really come together as a team,”
notes Sampson.
Sports editor Al Rivett’s col-
umn runs every three weeks. E-mail
arivett@durhamregion.com
Al
Rivett
sports editor
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Politicians must fix
905 funding gap
Make candidates outline their plans
T hat the 905 is underfunded is old news. To hear some
politicians talk of late, it’s as though they just discov-
ered the 3 million people who live in Durham, York,
Peel and Halton regions aren’t getting a fair shake.
What’s important, especially at election time, is what
those politicians promise to do about this long-standing
inequity and that they keep those pledges once elected.
The numbers should make your blood boil: for child
care, 905 residents get $346 per capita, other residents in
Ontario receive $707; for children’s services, 905ers receive
$287 per person, the rest of Ontario gets $693 per person;
for hospital services, 905ers get $718 per capita, other areas
in Ontario receive $939, and so on.
But, those are just the highlights. Consider the lack of
highway construction, especially in Durham Region. While
York, Peel and Halton are well-served by a multitude of
highways heading into and out of the Big Smoke, Durham
has just the 401 and several two-lane roads. And that’s it.
Our transit options also lag well behind Toronto and also
trail other 905 areas.
So, other than screaming and stamping our feet in vain,
what can we expect and what should we demand from
provincial politicians?
The best message to send politicians on election day is
to vote for those who will deliver the most to the 905, and
especially to Durham Region. That means holding candi-
dates’ feet to the collective fire when they come searching
for your vote. Ask them what they plan to do to rectify the
905 funding gap. Will they push their leader to provide
an equitable funding formula that provides cash on a per
capita basis? If they can’t or won’t do so, don’t vote for
them.
The leaders have promised to improve the situation.
John Tory, who was in Oshawa last weekend and who has
made other visits to the area in the past few years, has
promised to speed up the 407 extension and to pump an-
other $200-million per year into 905 health care facilities
by 2011-12. Premier Dalton McGuinty and NDP leader
Howard Hampton have also promised to increase health-
care funding in fast-growing and underserviced areas. It’s
up to voters to decide who they believe will actually come
through for them.
Action is required as soon as possible after the election
to provide fairness to those who live in the 905.
Durham transit needs to address routes
To the editor:
Re: Regional Transit Rolling in the Red.
Well, of course Durham Regional Transit is under-funded;
no one uses it.
When was the last time you saw anyone on the Elm bus?
They run ridiculous routes that only serve those taking the
GO Train to work in Toronto. If you’ve got a job in Toronto
you’re probably rich enough to drive a car to the train station.
Why don’t they get some real bus routes on major streets,
ones that people can actually use. I know that Durham is
suburbia, but we can build throughways.
DRT’s funding problems won’t go away until they serve the
people who use it, and not some hypothetical idea that the
middle class will use it.
Terry Price
Ajax
John Tory speaks
at Lakeridge
Health Oshawa
By Charles McGregor
DURHAM — Not only has
John Tory promised to im-
prove access to health care
in Durham if he’s elected
premier next month, he’s
also pledged his govern-
ment would “do everything
we can” to help the auto
industry in Oshawa and to
provide direct assistance for
any new facilities that might
be required.
With regard to the loom-
ing loss of 1,200 jobs at GM
of Canada, the Progressive
Conservative leader said,
“It’s such a vital industry
that represents both direct
and indirect jobs in so many
numbers in this region and
elsewhere in the province
that if it’s going to be of as-
sistance for the government
of Ontario to (support) ei-
ther new kinds of produc-
tion or new facilities I’m
prepared to be there to do
that.
“I’m prepared to... travel
wherever I have to travel, go
wherever I have to go and
meet with whomever I have
to meet with to make sure
people understand Ontario
is open for business for in-
vestment in the automobile
industry. We’ve got to look
at things the government of
Ontario should stop doing
that I believe are contribut-
ing to jobs being chased out
of this province. The gov-
ernment doesn’t control the
level of the dollar. But we do
control our levels of taxa-
tion, the doctor shortage, a
reliable supply of electric-
ity, the monstrous kinds of
regulations that obstruct
business in many ways.
We’re going to operate the
government in a way that
says to business we’re going
to regulate it to protect the
public interest but in a way
that reflects a spirit of part-
nership.”
The occasion was a cam-
paign whistle-stop leading
up to the Oct. 10 provin-
cial election, featuring Lak-
eridge Health Oshawa as its
backdrop, where Mr. Tory
announced his party’s plat-
form including a commit-
ment to invest $8.5 billion
over four years to maintain
and improve the provincial
health-care system. Mr. Tory
was joined at the announce-
ment by Durham Region
PC candidates Kevin Ashe,
Ajax-Pickering, Christine
Elliott, Whitby-Oshawa, and
Jerry Ouellette, Oshawa.
The Progressive Conser-
vatives would also increase
“growth funding for under-
serviced areas of Ontario,
such as the 905,” by an
amount growing to $200
million in new annual fund-
ing by the 2011-2012 fiscal
year.
“People in Ontario should
be able to count on local
health care services -- ser-
vices they’ve paid for with
their taxes,” Mr. Tory said.
Noting that Lakeridge was
recently ordered to slash
funding to youth mental
health programs in order to
qualify for $8 million in pro-
vincial funds that it desper-
ately needs, Mr. Tory said,
“This is unacceptable.”
“Since McGuinty took
office,” he said, “Oshawa
and Whitby have been
under-serviced areas. Now
Durham Region is short
41 family doctors, leav-
ing thousands of patients
without the ongoing sup-
port they need. Families are
right to be concerned about
the ability of local hospitals
to provide access to and to
deliver appropriate care to
residents. The current gen-
eration of people in the 905
region are worried that their
kids just won’t have a public
health care system they can
count on.”
Mr. Tory said the num-
ber of residents over the
age of 65 in the 905 area
is also increasing at twice
the provincial rate, and
“in demographic terms,
this represents ‘a perfect
storm,’ which our health
care planning has to take
into account.” He promised
to introduce a new fund-
ing model for Local Health
Integration Networks, be-
cause “People have the right
to access quality health care
service as close to home as
possible.”
Premier Dalton Mc-
Guinty, in a prior an-
nouncement, promised to
promote equal access to
services across Ontario, en-
sure funding is responsive
to health needs of the pa-
tients treated, promote in-
tegration by recognizing op-
portunities to co-ordinate
services across geography,
providers and patient types,
promote an equitable share
of funding within available
resources and promote fair-
ness by accounting for dif-
ferences in health and need
for service.
Wednesday,October3
For an update on the energy-from-waste project
and the consultant’s presentation on the
recommendation for the
For an update on the energy-from-waste project,
join Durham Region at an informal drop-in
information session from 2 to 9 p.m. on
Energyfromwaste
Publicinformation
session
for an energy-from-waste facility, attend the
formal presentation from 9 to 11 p.m.
PreferredSite
GarnetB.RickardRecreationComplex
2440KingStreetWest
Bowmanville
To review the EA study documentation, please:
Visit your local municipal office or library
Visit the study web site at www.durhamyorkwaste.ca.
Call 1-866-398-4423.
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PC leader promises cure for jobs, 905 underfunding
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