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The Citizen, 1994-03-02, Page 6PAttF 6 THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 2,1994. Steckle invites public partuipaHon in p reform public to get involved in the social security reform process. "I invite constituents of Huron-Bruce to participate in this most important policy reform,” said Mr. Steckle, "we need to have a process where people have input before final decisions are made." Comprehensive social security reform’is a priority for the Government. A schedule in which this reform will take place has been established and will lead to legislation and implementation of a reformed social security system. "There is no question that the system of social security has to be reformed; it was designed decades ago for a different era," Mr. Steckle stated. "The system has served the country well, but now has to be updated to take into account the current social realities." "Canadians should be able to work, advance economically and retire with dignity," mentioned Mr. Steckle, "that is why a reformed social security system not only needs to be affordable, but fair and compassionate." "It is for this reason I am encouraging you to join the first phase of our public policy forum on social security reform," concluded Mr. Steckle, "there will be two public forums held to better accommodate people in both the Huron and Bruce Counties. The forums will be held March 17, 1994, Central Huron Secondary School, 165 Princess St. E., Clinton, Ontario, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. (in Gymnasium); March 18, 1994, Kincardine District Secondary School, 885 ParkLane, Kincardine, Ontario, 7:00 -10:00 p.m. Mr. Steckle prepared some background in information which is available at the constituency office. For anyone unable to attend the forums, but still wants to take pari in the process, forward any ideas and suggestions - postage free - to the Ottawa office by March 18 1994. Contact the constituency office at 524-6938 or 1-800-465-1726 to confirm attendance or to make arrangements to receive a copy of the background material. Paul’s Perspective MPP states facts MP says budget ‘credible’ By Paul Klopp, MPP During the last few weeks I have received many calls about the Substitute Decisions Act. Much of what people have heard about this Act is wrong. The Act, which is to take effect in early 1995, protects mentally incapable people while making it easier for family members to make financial and personal care decisions for them. Passed unanimously by the Ontario Legislature, the Substitute Decisions Act updates laws on what may happen when someone is not mentally capable of making important decisions about his or her life. Il allows people to plan in advance for incapacity, by naming a trusted family member or friend - through a power of attorney - to make financial and personal care decisions for them should they become incapable of doing so themselves. I would like to clear up a few of the more common misconceptions: • The government will not take over the property of everyone who becomes mentally incapable if there is a power of attorney, or if a spouse, partner or family member is willing and available to make Firefighters battle bam blaze A bam, owned by Laurie Fischer of Lot 9, Cone. 13, McKillop Twp. was razed Tuesday night as fire swept through the building. Blyth Fire Chief Paul Josling says 240 pigs were lost and the structure was completely destroyed. The Seaforth fire department had to be called to the 10:30 p.m. fire to assist with the drawing of water. Mr. Josling says men were kept at the site until 6 a.m. because strong winds were threatening to blow the fire to a drive shed down­ wind, which was used to store farm equipment. "The fire appears to have started in the upstairs of the building, near a furnace. It was probably the source of the fire," says Mr. Josling. Damage is estimated to be approximately $150,000. decisions on the incapable person's behalf. Under the Substitution Decisions Act, the Public Guardian and Trustee is intended to be a substitute decisions-maker of last resort. • The new Act does not make it more difficult for family members to assume guardianship for an incapable person when there is no power of attorney. In fact, by providing a way for family members to take over guardianship without going to court, the Act makes the process easier. • A person who holds a power of attorney will not have to provide security or a management plan before making decisions on the incapable person's behalf. Those safeguards apply only to a substitute decision-maker appointed after the person becomes incapable, without that person's prior approval. I believe people are being frightened unnecessarily about a law which in fact improves protection of incapable people and allows capable people to take control of their future. I would be pleased to provide further information; feel free to contact my Clinton office at 1-800- 668-9320 or 482-3132. NOTICE TO PATIENTS OF DR. McGREGOR Due to the effect of the recently imposed social contract Dr. McGregor regretfully announces THE CLOSURE OF THE BLYTH MEDICAL CENTRE All patients who wish may be referred to the Wingham office Phone 357-2111 Continued from page 1 used to receive $222 weekly in UI payment. With the budget this is Drs. plan more cuts Continued from page 1 Social contract, he might be paid as little as $86,000. It is possible that by 1995, doctors will be making only 70 to 75 percent of their 1992 gross earnings." Dr. Wong says, "People must realize that the health system is being severely damaged but, those in the profession are often reluctant to speak up." "In my situation, the Brussels office was losing between $800 and $1,000 per month. I could not con­ tinue to operate the office and two people had to be laid off.' "Wingham office staff, as well as hours of operation, had to be reduced because expenses had to be cut," he says. "The Social Contract is forcing doctors to ration their services because there is no money to pay for it, yet the government has said that a doctor found to be doing this could be charged with a misde­ meanor." Dr. Wong says, "The government is being politically and profession­ ally dishonest and is putting pres­ sure on the doctors and hospitals to meet the legislated targets." Dr. Wong says he has been affected emotionally and psycho­ logically by the dictates of the Social Contract. "I no longer feel in control of what I do. I am forced to turn away suffering people because there is no money for the service. I feel like a slave to society and to the govern­ ment. Has the government thought about the people?" Dr. Wong says there were no options left but to cut services. Both Dr. MacGregor and Dr. Wong are looking at a further reduction in services in the near future. Huron-Bruce MPP Paul Klopp was not available for comment however, Dr. MacGregor has taken his concerns to Mr. Klopp. HCBE changes school calendar The HCBE announced a change to the elementary school calender, after the most recent meetings regarding the Social Contract. Two professional development days originally scheduled for June 27 and 28 will be moved to March 24 and 25. The June dates will be used as instructional days. will now be increased to $234. Conversely, a person with no dependents and a weekly income of $450 will drop to 50 percent of that. "There's a group who will take less and a group who will take more," Mr. Steckle said. "That's the way it was supposed to be," he noted, adding that UI was never intended to replace employment income. "What I think we have done is presented a budget that's credible and true to the commitment of the Canadian people," Mr. Steckle said, adding that one party felt they had gone too far in one direction while another thought the reverse. "I guess that puts our budget right in the centre, where I believe it should be." If Mr. Steckle is disappointed with any aspect of the budget it is with regards to the Family Trust. "I won't defend something that's wrong and if people have been avoiding taxes because of the Fam­ ily Trust we should have addressed it in this budget," he said. Radford Auto, Farm and Industrial Parts Ltd. Blyth & Brussels Cordially invites you to attend our Ninth Anniversary SALE FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994 Brussels 8 a.m. ‘til 6 p.m. Blyth 7 a.m. ‘til 9 p.m. To thank you for your support we offer A ONE DAY CASH & CARRY SALE 17% off all purchases & orders All items must be paid for on the day of sale - NO REFUNDS OR RETURNS lie meetings scheduled for March 17 and 18 where there will be input into federal costs for such things as UI, welfare and health care. "There will be on-going communiciation with the public to see if the people in Huron Bruce will help us decid­ ed whether or not we can continue to support all these programs." "I don't have any preconceived ideas. We have to clean up our act. We can no longer have people going from generation to genera­ tion believing it's their God-given right to live off taxpayers," Mr. Steckle said. He added that he hopes the peo­ ple of the riding will come to the meeting "fired up" and ready to talk about what they see as mistakes with the system. "I intend to take back whatever ideas they may pre­ sent." It is this type of open forum that the Liberals are hoping to continue to build, he said. Noting that the budget has also outlined plans for the next budget Mr. Steckle said he feels the government has already taken steps towards this. "I hope we have gained back some of the trust in politicians."