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Times-Advocate, 1979-07-04, Page 23South Huron Hospital Association wishes to express their appreciation to all involved in making the opening of the new addition a success. Especially to Mr. Earl Campbell for use of his P.A. System, The Board of Works, Mr. James Chapman, Exeter Public School. The Junior Farmers for their help in landscaping and all hospital staff for their assistance. 1.111111111fillnlinnnlinnnnininnnnntInnnntInlinnlinnnininnnlinnnlinniinnlinUlinfinninninUnnnnnlinilMinUnnnnnlinnnlinniniOnlinntinnnnnfllinnlinfinnnnOnnnininfinnnlinnnOnnnnfinntinnnnnnnnlinlinfinniinnnnininlinnininntinnunntinutninfinni Money probelms in caring for young children By JACK RIDDELL MPP Huron-Middlesex The majority of the 63 institutions which give care and shelter to more than 1,100 children and young people in Ontario are ex- periencing serious problems due to.shottage of money. A report released by the Ministry of Community and Social Services says that the present financing arrangement is "inadequate, outdated and not geared to meet the in- dividual needs of each home." Also inspections of these institutions by ministry officials are "infrequent" and "lack rigor"; staffing in half the homes is inadequate and wages are extremely low. One institution hadn't been visited by a supervisor since the present director started work about two and a half years ago. The ministry review states that two-thirds of the in, stitutions hadn't been visited by a supervisor since the present director started work about two and a half years ago, The ministry review states that two-thirds of the institutions had direct operating losses in 1978 for a total deficit of more than $600,000. These homes provide a wide variety of services for children with social ar personal problems: chilaren who.are having difficulties at home, unwed teenage mothers and those in trouble with the law. The ministry is offering each institution the option of remaining under the existing funding arrangements or changing to an alternative arrangement based upon an individual agreement with each home. Under legislative regulations, Ontario pays 80 percent of the operating costs while the institutions must raise 20 percent of their revenue from non- government sources. The ministry will meet with officials of the homes to discuss in detail recom- mendations of the report, which include some program changes, bed closings and reallocation of some resources. Liberal Leader Stuart Smith has accused the Ontario Government of refusing to protect Ontario consumers from natural gas price increases although abundant supplies exist. He told the Legislature that natural gas prices do not have to go up with the oil prices, after federal energy officials had confirmed that gasoline and heating oil prices will jump three to five cents a gallon on August 29 and natural gas prices by 15 cents a thousand cubic feet about August 1. In reply, the Energy Minister, James Mild, stated that an agreement between Alberta and Canada negotiated earlier this year pegged natural gas at 85 percent of the,price of oil, He said Ontario has consistently argued that the price in , Canada of natural gas, and oil should not be the world price, but instead be related to Canadians' needs, Alberta and Canada have agreed to extend the natural gas pricing agreement for another six months beyond August 1st, so that the price GRADUATES — Alan William Junker of 195 Jacob St. New Hamburg, son of David and Catherine Junker, 87 Allison St., Grand Bend graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo with an honors bachelor of arts degree in History. Alan attended Waterloo-Oxford district High School. of gas would be tied to that of the oil for the current in- crease. Dr. Smith drew the Minister's attention to comments by his predecessor a year ago, to the effect that he had pushed the federal government into unhinging the two prices but was stonewalled by the then governing Liberals. Ontario's new rent review and landlord and tenant legislation passed third and final reading by a vote of 63 to 28. The NDP voted against the 141 section bill, which combines rent review with a rewritten landlord and tenant act and creates a Residential Tenancies Commission. This Com- mission will determine rent increases and landlord- tenant matters previously handled by the courts. The government has removed the built-in December 31, 1970 expiry date for rent controls and, when the section dealing CHECK US OUT FOR YOUR WESTERN RIDING GEAR v Lee Boot Cut Jeans v Western Boots & Belts v Shirts & Hats v. Tack v Horse Health Center v We'll even repair your broken down tack. with rent increases take effect, it will limit them to 6 percent a year. If a landlord wants more, he'll have to make his case before the Tenancies Commission, It is hoped that the new agreement between the provincial government and Ontario's doctors will facilitate Ontario Health Insurance Program fee negotiations and belpkeep doctors in' the plan. The province has agreed with the Ontario Medical Association to appoint a chairman of the committee negotiating OHIP fee schedules. The agreement calls for a seven-member negdtiating committee, with three members named by each side and a jointly appointed chairman, who would have the power to act as fact- finder. While the chairman's appointment would initially be for two schedule set- , tlements, this could be ex- v This months special Lee Coloured Jeans $15 each. tended, The Minister of Health, Dennis Timbrell, who announced the agreement in the Legislature, said a chairman will be named "within a few days" and negotiations for the 1980 fee schedule will start next month, Although the chairman won't have a vpte, he will "be able to assist and guide the com- mittee in areas of disagreement during negotiations." If talks reach an impasse, either side can ask the chairman to take on the role of factfinder. A report, containing a proposed set- tlement, would provide the basis for new negotiations. The factfinder's report won't be binding, but it can be made public by either side after seven days. The Minister said the OMA and the government have traditionally negotiated through a committee for new fee schedules, "but the factfinder is something new and unique and, I think, a very positive approach to negotiations." Re said that the latest figures on doctors opted out of the 011IP program are down to 17.8 percent from more than 18 percent earlier this year, When doctor's incomes . were limited by anti- inflation controls, there was not much incentive to opt out of OHIP, but when they were scrapped the government predicted an initial jump in the number of opted out doctors, In the Minister's view, the "short-term reaction, which we expected, is over and now I expect to see the figures gradually decline," Why not join up? Take a walk. Walk a block,TodaY. REFRIGERATION DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CENTRAL AIR SYSTEMS HEAT PUMPS MAX'S TV & APPLIANCES GRAND BEND 238-2493 MID-SEASON SALE t4 20% OFF Residential chain link fencing installed during July & August. Sale ends July 28. 48 Hour Service On Pool Fences 90 Days Same As Cash 453-6620 1285 Clarke Road, London north of Huron. (Free Estimate) Times.Advecate, July 4, 1979 Pogo .7A SCOTT'S LEATHER Sr TACK SHOP 120 Sanders St. W., Exeter Ph. 235-0694 '411, Starting July 1, there were some changes made to Unemployment Insurance. GRADUATE — Joseph A. Eagleson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Graham Eagleson, RR 8, Parkhill, graduated recently from Fanshawe College with a degree in Business Data Processing. He has accepted a position with The London Free Press. Beta photo Steer This Way BY LARRY SNIDER To help prevent body rust, check wheel wells, insides of fenders, etc. for trapped leaves and dirt. They could clog drain holes and trap water. * * * More and more new cars will have halogen headlamps, which give as much light as regular headlights but use less energy. * * * Think about investing in your own good pressure gauge so you can check tires when they're cool. This should be done once a month and before any long trip. * * * Odd noises that seem to be coming from the rear of the car may not be — sounds are sometimes telegraphed from the engine area or even from a defective front wheel bearing. * * When you start your car cold, does it keep stall- ing until the engine warms? Have the fast idle checked — its func- tion is to hold the throt- tle slightly open,to keep engine running faster while it's still cold. * * * Our friendly mechanics will be .glad to check any part of your car that's giving trouble. Just drive in to Larry Snider MOTORS LIMITED EXETER 235-1640 LONDON 227-4191 Huron County's Largos, Ford Dealer Unless you worked at least 20 weeks in the past year, these changes could apply to you. In December 1978, Parliament changed the Unemployment Insurance program. Changes starting July 1 mean that some people will have to work longer before they can qualify for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Please remember, these UI changes affect only those claims which start on or after July 1, 1979. And, the changes may or may not apply to you. So please read on to see if you are affected. (You'll find terms such as "Weeks of Work',' "Qualifying Period", "Variable Entrance Requirement" (VER), and "Unemployment Rate" marked by an asterisk (*). For easier understanding, see the box "Explaining UI terms" at the end of this message.) Here are the details of those changes. Have you worked 20 weeks or more in your Qualifying Period*? If so, this message does not apply to you. For you, the number of weeks you need to qualify for regular UI benefits and for UI ill- ness and maternity benefits, or the one-time benefit at age 65 has not changed. Are you working for the first time? To get benefits, you will usually need 20 Weeks' Work*, no matter where you live. An exception to this would be if you were on a training course approved by the Canada Employment and Immigration Commission for at least 14 weeks in the year before your Qualifying Period*. Then you would only need 10 to 14 weeks, depending on the Variable Entrance Requirement* where you live. Are you starting to work again? If you're coming back to work after being away a year or more,you'll usually need 20 Weeks of Work* in your Qualifying Period* before you can qualify for UI benefits. This applies wherever you live. This 20-week rule won't apply, however, if you were in any of the following situations for a total of at least 14 weeks in the year before your Qualifying Period*. These are the situations that count: 1. You were getting temporary worker's disability compensation from a provincial program; 2. You were receiving sick or maternity leave payments; 3. You were out of work because of a labour dispute at your place of work; 4: You were on a Commission-approved training course; 5. You were on UI claim; 6. You were working in insurable employment. So, for first-time workers and those coming • back to work: A. If you were in any of these six situations for a total of at least 14 weeks in the year before your Qualifying Period*, then you need only 10 to 14 Weeks' Work* in the Qualifying Period*, depending on the VER* where you live. B. If none of the six situations fit your case,you will have to have worked at least 20 weeks to qualify for UI benefits. NOTE: If you are returning to work after being away more than one year, the 20-week rule will normally apply to you. , Did you get UI benefits in the last year? If you got UI benefits in your Qualifying Period*, there are new rules that may apply to you - unless the Unemployment Rate* in your area is over 11.5 per cent. 1, If a claim you had in the last year has not run out, you may be able to renew it. 2. If yours is classed as a new claim, you will need the usual 10 to 14 Weeks' Work* depending on your local VER*, plus up to six "extra" Weeks of Work*. The number of "extra" weeks you'll need depends on how many weeks you got on your previous UI claim. You need one "extra" week ( up to a maximum of six) for every week you got over the VER* needed in your area. Here's an example: You need 12 Weeks' Work* in your region (your local VER*) to qualify for benefits the first time. On your last claim, you drew 15 weeks' benefits before going back to work. Now, you would need the usual 12 weeks, plus three "extra" work weeks. (That's the difference between the 12 weeks you need- ed to work and the 15 weeks of benefits you drew. In total you would need 15 Weeks' Work* to qualify again within one year. The most anyone needs anywhere is 20 weeks of work to qualify. Again, please remember, when the Unemployment Rate* in your area is over 11.5 per cent, this rule won't apply to you. You'll need only 10 Weeks' Work* to qualify for regular UI benefits. Other changes have been in effect since January 1979: • The weekly benefit rate was reduced to 60 per cent of your average insurable earnings (from 662 /3 per cent). • Most people employed for less than 20 hours a week are no longer covered by UI. • Higher-income claimants may have to repay part of UI benefits drawn in the 1979 tax year. This will only affect people whose income, including UI benefits, is over $20,670. This will be explained when you get your 1979 tax return, These things haven't changed: Just as a review, these points haven't changed: • You may still get UI illness and maternity benefits and the special benefit paid at age 65 if you've worked 20 weeks in your Qualifying Period*. • There's still a two-week waiting period before UI benefits start. • To get regular benefits, you must still be available for and looking for work each day you are on claim. • You must report any work and earnings while on claim. • You can be disqualified from getting benefits for up to six weeks if you quit your job voluntarily, you were fired for mis- conduct, or if you turned down a suitable job offer. • You can still appeal a decision by UI to deny you benefits. Explaining UI terms: *Weeks of Work This means weeks of work that are insurable for Unemployment Insurance. Most employment of 20 hours or more a week is insurable. *Qualifying Period What UI calls your Qualifying Period is the 52 weeks before we start your claim. Or if you had a claim in the last year, it's the time since that claim started. *Variable Entrance Requirement (VER) To qualify for Unemployment Insurance benefits, you must have worked from 10 to 14, weeks in insurable employment during your Qualifying Period*. The exact number of weeks depends on the Unemployment Rate* in the economic region where you live. (See below.) If you don't have enough weeks to qualify when you file your claim, we keep your applica- tion in the computer file. If the Unemployment Rate* changes so you then have the weeks you need, we will send you a notice. *Unemployment Rate For Unemployment Insurance, the Unemployment Rate used for each of the 48 economic regions of Canada is not the current monthly Statistics Canada unemployment rate in each region. It is a three-month average of seasonally-adjusted monthly unemployment rates. Canada's Unemployment Insurance Program Working with people who want to work. 1 10 Employment and Empioi et Immigration Canada Immigration Canada Ron Atkey, Minister Ron Atkey, Ministre Canadi