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Clinton News Record, 2015-02-25, Page 5Wednesday, February 25, 2015 • News Record 5 www.clintonnewsrecord.com Huron -Bruce MPP questions Great Lakes Protection Act Huron -Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson is looking for more information from the provin- cial government on its pro- posed Great Lakes Protection Act. On Feb. 18, the Liberal gov- ernment reintroduced the act, which focuses on the protec- tion and restoration of the ecological health of the Great Lakes -St. Lawrence River Basin, as well as to create opportunities for individuals and communities to become involved in its protection and restoration. "I left with more questions than when I came in," Thompson said. "Issues sur- rounding the funding of Geographically -Focused Ini- tiatives (GFIs) and the com- position of the Guardian Council remain unclear. The ministry staff confirmed there would be no money for this initiative in the 2015 budget. I worry associated costs would be downloaded on the already overburdened municipalities." Thompson said she did not receive a satisfactory response from Ministry of Environment and Climate Change representatives when she asked them where the money is going to come from to support the GFIs. She said the asso- ciated costs involved, based on the ministry's examples, include: The education of phos- phorus levels The improvement of beaches The reduction of algae blooms The prevention of net loss of wetlands in all, or part of, the Great Lakes -St. Law- rence River Basin. "Specifically, I would like to see clarification on who will comprise of the Guard- ian Council and how they will be selected," Thomp- son said. "At present, an invitation by the minister is required. This does not sound like an open forum for participation. We all want to protect and do what is best for our Great Lakes. I sincerely hope the many amendments brought forth last year have been taken into account." Lisa Thompson Retirement at 65? Not for most Canadians For the fast time in memory, more Canadians expect to work past the traditional retirement age of 65 - at least according to a report released this week by Sun Life. And although the rea- sons vary, 60% say they'll con- tinue working because offinan- cial constraints. The report, based on an Ipsos Reid survey in December, reports that 60% of respondents expect to work past retirement age, while 27% intend to be fully retired by age 65. The survey took in 3,000 Canadians between the ages of 30 and 65, along with 400 retired Canadians. The results are at odds with a similar poll conducted in 2008 when 48% of respondents thought they'd continue work- ing, orking, while 51% expected to be retired. The numbers point to a para- digm shift in how Canadians view retirement, but are also a reflection of the upheaval that has occurred within the finan- cial markets over the past seven years. The poll results might also serve as a warning to govern- ments because of a demo- graphic shift within the work- force that could have far-reaching impact. And the federal government will be under greater pressure to enrich its Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan. Sun Life reports that while the impact of the financial crisis on retirement plans may now be easing, survey respondents were uncertain about their abil- ityto achieve personal financial goals. Two of the chief reasons for continuing to work was the need to eam enough money to pay basic living expenses, along with concern that pensions such as the OAS and CPP are not adequate. There are also those in the survey who said they enjoy working, not because they need the money, but because they need the mental stimulation. But most of the survey's respondents are planning to work beyond 65 - only because they need the income. The survey's results are also reflected by Statistics Canada data. The federal agency says employment has been growing among those workers who are 55 years and older. Part of that could be because of the Baby Boomer demographic, but it's also highlights a reluctance among a great many Canadians to not take what was once con- sidered an early retirement The issue of retirement and adequate pensions will be one that is sure to be a growing chal- lenge over the next decade, and one that governments can't ignore. -PeterEpp EARLY FILES February 20, 1969 Local 1000 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees have commenced contract negotiations with Ontario Hydro. The current collective agree- ment, covering 13,500 employees of the corporation, expires March 31 1977. Both the union and Hydro have agreed to adhere to a news blackout throughout the three-month period. The union's agenda includes proposals for reduced hours of work, improve- ments in the pension plan, vacation and health plan, and a wage increase, the amount of which has not been specified. Talks are being held at Toronto's Plaza II Hotel where six sub- committees are meeting along with the mater bargaining committee chaired by Jack MacDonald, the union's first vice-president. February 24, 1977 Despite the toughest competition in recent history, the Clinton News - Record managed to finish in the top ten papers in her class, and win an award in the Ontario Weekly Newspa- pers Association's annual "better newspapers" awards contest. The News -Record, entered in the 2,000 to 3,000 circulation class, won the best local advertising award in the competi- tion results announced last week, and another local newspaper, the Huron Expositor won the best classified advertising award in the same class. The Expositor also won a premier award, pen to a11330 papers in the province, when editor Susan White was judged to have the best column in Ontario. February 24, 1982 Noble Grand Bertha MacGregor pre- sided for the meeting of Amber Rebekah Lodge on Wednesday even- ing assisted by Vice-Grend Gladys Coleman, who reported for the visiting committee. The treasure Dorothy Cor- bett gave the financial report. Plans for the Dessert Euchre to be held March 31st will be finalized at the 3rd of March meeting. Members arranged to make a gift donation to Mr. and Mrs. Denys who lost everything in the fire. A social followed in the lower hall when euchre was played with the following prizewinners: high, Dorothy Corbett; low, Adleen Volland; lone hands, Nel- lie Riley. Hazel Corbett, Bertha Macgregor and Leona Parke served lunch. February 26, 1997 Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) will be sending two students to debate against the best in the province after the school tied first and won fifth in the Snowbelt Regional Debating Finals. CHSS student Rachel Bokhout said she was "incredibly excited" about sharing top spot with Goderich's Vance McPherson at Central Huron Thurs- day. "Vance is the person I'm most competitive with, so it's really nice that we tied," said Bokhout. The 16 high school students debated both sides of whether small rural Ontario hospitals should be closed and services be con- solidated into larger regional health care facilities. Bokhout said that although she thought it was "really insightful to choose this as a topic"; her father being a doctor brought the issue close to home. February 23, 2000 A study to determine the quality of groundwater across Huron County will commence this spring, thanks to a $204,00 grant from the Ministry of Environment (MOE). The study, col- laboration between the county plan- ning department and Huron County Health Unit, as well as the Ausable- Bayfield and Maitland Valley conserva- tion authorities, will test the ground- water in existing wells across the county. "There has been a lot of con- cern expressed (for groundwater), especially related to the protection," Scott Tousaw, Senior Planner with the County of Huron. "The money received from (the MOE) will allow for the crea- tion of a very specific study. It will (give) us an understanding of the groundwater system and water quality ... and trace positive or negative changes in the future."