Clinton News-Record, 1986-04-23, Page 1cv--'
NO. 17 121 YEARS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23,1986
50 CENTS
Grossman says Petersonpanickin
BY SHARON DIETZ
Premier David Peterson is panicking in
his battle with Ontario doctors over the
proposed ban on extra -billing, provincial
Conservative leader Larry Grossman said
in Goderich April 16.
Grossman suggested the government is
not operating on a preconceived strategy
and pointed to the premier bringing in At-
torney General Ian Scott to take over the
negotiations with the Ontario Medical
Association from Health Minister Murray
Elston.
Speaking at a public forum organized by
the Huron County Medical Society,
Grossman said Peterson has painted
himself into a cornor and the war with the
doctors no longer has anything to do with
health care accessibility.
About 50 people attended the forum held
trom 1 - 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Doctors,
their spouses and local Conservatives
aside there were few members of the
general public who attended the forum.
The panel included Dr. Art Steed, presi-
dent of the Huron Medical Association, Dr.
Bruce Thomson, -a Goderich family doctor
and Dr. Don Neal also a Goderich family
practicioner who organized the forum. Dr.
Neal said he tried unsuccessfully for four
•weeks to get Health Minister Murray
Elston from the neighbouring riding of
Huron - Bruce to come to the forum and
when he couldn't come on the various
dates suggested, it was proposed
Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell of
Huron - Middlesex or another member of
the Liberal caucus attend. Dr. Neal said no
one from the government was able to at-
tend.
According to Murray Elston's office the
Liberal caucus was meeting in Cornwall
the :date of the event and this had been
planned for months previous to the request
for someone to attend the forum in
Goderich.
Grossman accused the government of
overkill in the way they are handling the
issue of health care accessibility. "What
you have is the extension of a very small
problem where less than one per cent of
the people in Ontario have a problem with
extra -billing and the government come! in
changing the way the profession looks at
itself and the relationship between the doc-
tors and the government. .
"The approach is very out of focus, You
provide bad government if you don't try to
keep the problem and its solution
relative," said Grossman. "This is overkill
and the exercise of power isn't worth it.
"How many will have a dramatically
improved health care as the result of Bill
94 and how many will have their health
care quality damaged over the next 10
years because of the greatly changed rela-
tionship between the doctors and the
government resulting from Bill 94..
Grossman asked.
Grossman said the premier has backed
himself into a cornor and the Liberal's
don't have the political maturity to back
off. He suggested Peterson can resolve the
issue by simply backing away, leaving Bill
94 on the order paper and negotiating with
the doctors until the end of 1986. The
government has one year to comply with
the Canada Health Act to. qualify for $50
million in federal health transfer
payments.
The Conservative leader said he,promis-
ed to support the government if they
agreed to negotiate with the OMA until the
end of 1986. "I told Mr Peterson yesterday
I would support the government on the
specific issue of negotiation until the end of
1986 and not let them be cornered on an
election on the issue of negotiating."
He called the proposed bill the last great
hurdle to government taking over the
health care system. "Once every doctor is
conscripted into the system in this way, it
is eash to begin to tell them where they are
going to practise. It is easy to cap their in-
comes. It is easy to begin to second guess
their judgements and to put barriers to the
numbers of procedures they can per-
form."
Grossman said when the health care
system in Canada is destroyed after the
passage of Bill 94, he won't be telling his
children Bob Rae required me to do it. It
was the price to pay to get into public ,of-
fice.'
"I will be able to stand on principle. I
will be able to tell them it wasn't a perfect
system but it was the best in the world."
Grossman invited the constitutents in
Elston's riding to take him up on a
challenge he made in -an interview on CBC
Radio two weeks ago. "Elston has invited
his constituents to kick a certain part of his
anatomy all around his riding if he is
misguided on this issue. I invite you to do
it," said Grossman.
Less than one per cent of the population
may have a problem with extra- billing.
For this we have the erosion of the founda-
tion of medicare, observed Grossman.
He went on to say doctors opting out has
slipped from 18 per cent to 11 per cent.
"How does Elston treat the physicians..
He says the physicians criticism is out of
an ideological time warp."
"This sort of rhetoric is inap-
propriate."One member of the audience.at
the foruth commented that she had been
extra- billed more than 40 per cent beyond
the OHIP rate by a physician. "It does
happen. I still have the bill and I'm waiting
for the repercussions (since she has decid-
ed not to pay it)." she said. She continued
by conunenting that she doesn't agree with
making all doctors civil servants but she
disagrees with the thought that her doctor
can look at her and say, iI.thinkshe can af-
ford it. I'll extra -bill her!'
Grossman made the observation in light
of her remarks that Elston should take
time out from "doctor bashing" to come.
and listen and then sit down and quietly lay
all of these issues on the table for discus-
sion with the OMA. Dr. Bruce Thomson
told the woman that historically doctors
are not in the business of hurting people
financially and that if a patient has a con-
cern about a bill they should contact the
College of Physicians and Surgeons or the
Ontario Medical Association.
Grossman said he brought in the prere-
quisite that a physician discuss extra- bill-
ing with a patient prior to treatment in
September, 1983 while he was health
minister. He said if a physician fails to
consult prior to treatment the patient does
not have to pay more than 24 per cent
beyond the OHIP rate which is the
ference between the OHIP fee schedule
and the OMA schedule.
Another member of the audience asked' ,
if the premier's comments on a special tax
health tax were an indication of his inten-
tions. Grossman answered that even
though he withdrew the suggestion of a
sickness tax or user f ,e the premier had
indieate'1 a year ago' tb it''oi►e of things he
would do is implement a special tax on the
rich. "A sickness tax is not far below the
surface of his political philosophy," added
Grossman.
TIME
CHANGE
Spring not only brings with it warmer
weather and green grass, but longer
sunlight hours are also associated with the
season.
On April 27 at 2 a.m. clocks are to be
turned ahead one hour.
This is just one more sign that warmer
weather is on its way.
Huron -Perth board closes school
by Wilma Oke
The Ecole Ste -Marie, the little four -room
school in the hamlet of St. Joseph, will be
closed July 1.
The Huron -Perth County Roman
Catholic Separate School Board wanted to
close the school several years ago and
transfer the students to the nearby St.
Boniface School in Zurich, but the
ratepayers spirited opposition saved the
school. The board advised closing the
school again last year because it required
costly repairs and this time the ratepayers
have agreed to accept the loss of their
school.
In 1985 the Ministry of Education refused
the capital grant needed to build the addi-
tional classrooms at St. Boniface to ac-
commodate the extra students, but this
month the ministry approved the grant of
$630,700, it was reported at a board
meeting April 13. Construction to com-
mence in the spring of .1987, will provide
additional classrooms, a library, change
rooms and other renovations within the
school for administrative office and staff
lounge: The work is to be completed by the
beginning of September, 1987.
The 31 students now in the school in two
classrooms, fourteen in Grades 3 and 4 and
seventeen in Grades 5 and 6 and the two
teachers will join their former school
mates from Grades 1 and 2 and Grades 7
and 8 who were transferred in 1985. The
kindergarten students from the St. Joseph
area have been attending the St. Boniface
school as there was no room for them at
Ecole Ste Marie.
St. Boniface will have 218 pupils in
September, up from 187 at present. Two
additional portables will be required to ac-
commodate the pupils until the new school
addition is opened in September, 1987. One
less teacher will be required with all the
pupils in one school.
Ecole St. Marie will be sold with adver-
tising to begin now.
Education director William Eckert said
the Board is to be congratulated for the
dialogue with the two communities involv-
ed and their commitment to improve
facilities and programs for children in a
cost efficient manner. Most importantly it
is good to see that parents recognize that
better programs can be had through such
reorganization.
In other business the board approved
plans and specifications for renovations at
St. Michael School annex in Stratford (the
board's new secondary school). Tenders
will be called with a closing date of May,
1986.
The board has hired John Cameron, who
has 12 years experience in the secondary
panel, including the past 10 years at Nor-
thwestern Secondary School in Stratford,
where he has been involved in extra-
curricular after school activities. He will
teach French along with some Science and
some Math in the first year.
Jeannette Eybergen has been hired as
classroom teacher at Immaculate Concep-
tion School in Stratford and the following
teachers have been transferred: Joanne
Melady from itinerant French teacher at
St. Patrick's School in Dublin and St. Col-
umban School to classroom teacher at St.
Columban School; Marybel Edye to be
transferred from Ste Patrick's School
Dublin (70 per cent) and Holy Name of
Mary School, St. Marys (30 per cent) to
Holy Name of Mary School for 50 per cent
Special Education, and 50 per cent
classroom duties; Michelle Whitely to be
transferred from St. Patrick's School,
Dublin,((5,0 per cent) to St. Mary's School,
Goderich (60 per cent) Special Education;
Larry Cook from St. Michael School, Strat-
ford, principal, to St. Patrick's School,
Dublin (50 per cent) and coordinator of
computer instruction which is a system
wide responsibility; Mary Smith from St.
James School, Seaforth to St. Columban
School' (3b per cent Special Education);
Terry Craig from St. Patrick's School,
Dublin (100 per cent) to St. James School,
Seaforth (50 per cent) Special Education
and St. Patrick's School, Dublin (50 -per
cent) classroom.
All hirings or transfers are effective
September 1, 1986.
The board expressed opposition to the
proposed transfer of the Ontario Institute
for Studies in Education (O.I.S.E.) to the
University of Toronto, although most
trustees reported they did not understand
what the merger would mean.
William Eckert, Director of Education,
said the institute would be less than it is
now if the transfer takes place. He said he
fears the school boards would lose
O.I.S.E.'s field centres in London and in
Kitchener and research capabilities if it is
taken over by the university. Eckert said
the Ministry of Education feels there
would be big savings which could help
reduce the deficit budget for the govern-
ment. He said he felt the institute has been
good.
The board approved the elementary
school year calendar for 1986-1987 in-
cluding nine professional activity days and
186 instructional days and the same for the
secondary school which also includes 10
days for scheduled examination days.
Eckert pointed out that teachers taking
summer courses would start these courses
on June 30.
Eckert announced that the board would
start Education week on April 27 with a
special opening to be held in Exeter.
$10.4 million budget approved
The Huron -Perth County Roman Catholic
Separate School Board approved its 1986
•budget of $10.4 million at a special meeting
in Dublin Tuesday. This is an increase of
$1.2 million or 13.3 per cent over the actual
expenses in 1985.
Ernext Vanderschot of St. Marys, chair-
man of the finance committee, explained
the budget includes costs of $455,500 for the
board's first secondary school which opens
in September for Grade 9 students at St.
Michael School in Stratford.
Included in that amount is $100,000
renovation costs to that school for se� on-
dary purposes. Additional grades will betl-
,ded, one year at a time, until a complete
secondary school is implemented.
Vanderschot said other capital items in
the budget inclufde roof replacements of
$220,000 at three Stratford schools, for which
the ministry of education had postponed fun-
ding in 1984 and 1985 and only now has ap-
proved it and the work completed on the
three schools this spring; and $260;000 for
approved educational computers, half of
which will be used for the new secondary
school at St. Michael. ,
Vanderschot said general legislative
grants will increase by $737,500 to $7.8
million. Provincial contributions will
generate 75.7 per cent of the total revenue
for the board with a further 1.8 per cent
generated by tuition fees and other revenue.
County municipalities will be responsible
for 22.5 per cent of the board's revenue in
1986.
The board has adopted a mill rate in-
crease of 7.8 per cent which on average will
cost taxpayers $5.43 per $1,000 of assess-
ment. For a homeowner assessed at. $3,500
the increase will be $19 additional to that
levied in 1985.
The board has no reserves, except for a
capital fund for a planned building project
in 1987 with the addition to St. Boniface
School in Zurich, and has neither a surplus
nor deficit to bring forward from prior
years. With the extension into secondary
A number of jokes were told at the Huron- Middlesex Provincial Liberal Association's
Annual meeting and MPP and Minister of Agriculture and Food Jack Riddell laughed
right along. Mr. Riddell, who was accompanied by his wife Anita, were on hand to hear
Robert Nixon, Treasurer of Ontario and Minister of Revenue, speak as well as hear the
outcome of the executive election. (Anne Narejko photo)
pen government
is key to success,
says Robert Nixon
By Anne Narejko
STANLEY TWP. - Accessibility and open-
ness. is. the key to the Liberal party's con-
tinued success, said Robert Nixon,
Treasurer of Ontario and Minister of
Revenue during the Huron -Middlesex Pro-
vincial Liberal Association meeting on April
17.
Mr. Nixon and Minister of Agriculture and
Food and MPP Jack ,Riddell were the
special guests during the annual meeting
which saw the complex filled to capacity.
Explaining the aims of the Liberals, Mr.
Nixon told the crowd that a government
"must be prepared to move the country for-
ward." He also added while attempting this,
the government must also be prepared to
take criticism.
"You can't (move forward) without stepp-
ing on a few toes."
Referring to the recent election which saw
the Progressive Conservative Party lose
power after 42 years and the Liberals take
control, Mr. Nixon said, "winning is better
than losing."
However, he did say the Canadian system
could not function effectively without good
opposition.
"Democracy is only served when there is
good opposition...Democracy depends, on
it," said Mr. Nixon.
Hard Times For Farmers
One of the major topics touched on by both
Mr. Nixon and Mr. Riddell was farming.
Both men agreed that farmers are facing
major problems with the price drop for
crops and meat, but being an optimist, Mr.
Nixon is certain things will get better.
"The farming community is facing its
toughest economic time since the dirty
'30s...There's not enough money in the
treasury to bring back buoyancy," he said.
"But being a born optimist, things have got
to eventually get better."
Mr. Nixon pointed out the fact that
farmers are not the only ones with pro-
blems, citing the steel workers in Sault Ste.
Marie who are laid -off and tobacco farmers
in the Delhi area whose prices are rapidly
declining as examples.
On the brighter side, Mr. Nixon said the
economy's rate of growth is as good as it has
been in the last 25 years, the rate of inflation
is low at 3.8 per cent and the unemployment
rate is at 6.8 per cent in Ontario, the lowest it
has been in 10 years.
"This is still too high, but it's the best in
Canada, plus it's stable and falling," said
Mr. Nixon on the unemployment rate.
Mr. Riddell's speech compared the extra -
billing issue with the farmers.
After reading an article in a daily paper,
Mr. Riddell said he found it ironic that doc-
tors, who are said to make between $120,000
and $250,000 a year, are arguing over money
when the farmer is barely making a living.
"I'm the last one in the world to begrudge
anyone making as much money as they can
refit is not a dirty word, but there is ai
school program in September, and no addi-
tional tax base on which to levy the secon-
dary school rates, the board is planning to
operate at a deficit of about $300,000 this
year for the first time in the board's history.
Vanderschot said the deficit is of great
concern and said by the end of the year
some grants may ease that, naming possible
grants for the renovations to St. Michael
School, where the new secondary school has
been established.
Jack Lane, superintendent of business'
and finance, said, "This was perhaps the
most difficult budget we have had to deal
with, the starting of the secondary sehool,
costs of $165,000 alone in Stratford, is quite
extraordinary, there are capital costs in-
cluded in that...".
Included in the budget are teachers'
salaries and benefits amounting to $6.2
million (87 per cent of total instruction
cost); total instruction expense of $7.2
million; transportation, $1.1 million; and
plant operation and maintenance, $1.2
million.
Robert Nixon, Treasurer of Ontario and
Minister of Revenue was at the annual
Huron -Middlesex Liberal Association
meeting on April 17. He gave the crowd a
little insight as to the country's economic
situation as well as sharing a few jokes.
(Anne Narejko photo)
irony between the two...The very provider
of life is food, and that person which pro-
vides us with food is the person who is scrap-
ing to make a living," he said. "I think we'd
better count our blessing as some profes-
sions are doing very well while others
aren't...Let's not complain about $120,000 to
"$250,000 when farmers are struggling." ,
New Executive
The Huron -Middlesex Provincial Liberal
Association elected their new executive dur-
ing the annual nieeting.
Member of parliament is Jack Riddell;
past -president is Bernard Benn; president,
W. Joseph, Hogan; vice-president, Jack
Johnson; secretary, Maggie McDonald;
treasurer, Zoie Raithby.
Area vice-presidents are: Jean Adams,
Goderich; Wilson Hodgins, Lucan; James
, Love, Zurich; E. Beecher Menzies, Clinton;
Muriel Murphy, Goderich; Robert Swar-
mon, Exeter; George Walker, Strathroy.
Youth respresentative is Kathy Love,
Zurich.
p
ounty levy up 9.79%a
CLINTON - Council here received notice
of the town's levy from the county, the board
of education and the Huron -Perth Roman
Catholic, Secondary School Board levies.
They also received the 1986 Clinton Fire
Area Board budget.
The town's levy from Huron County is up
$12,381 or approximately 9.79 per cent over
last year, making this year's amount
$126,442.
Clinton's levy for the Huron County Board
of Education for 1986 is $594,416, up $16,245
or 2.8 per cent over last year's levy.
Breaking the total down, the levy consists
of $328,824 for elementary schools and
$265,592 for secondary schools.
Deputy. clerk Marie Jefferson pointed out
to council at their April 21 meeting that
these figures do not include the mill rate.
The Huron -Perth Roman Catholic
Separate School Board's levy does
In l de