Animal crusaders feel Island solution needed to house, assist strays

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-Momentum is building for the formation of an Island-based animal-rescue organization that would provide temporary shelter for homeless pets and coordinate adoption opportunities for these furry foundlings.

"It's something I've been thinking about since I came here 10 years ago," said Rosa Malacek. "I love all animals-I don't make any difference between dogs, cats, lions or elephants-and the vets here can only do so much."

The Assiginack resident, along with husband Derek, lived previously in Windsor, where a non-profit animal-protection society was formed in the early 1990s, and has flourished since. "I knew the lady who started it, after a stray cat came to her door and she decided to keep him," said Ms. Malacek. "Now, 15 years later, it's a big charitable organization."

Windsor's Jazzpurr Society-named after the original kitten that its founder, Dorit M. Girash, welcomed into her home-operates a no-kill, no-cage shelter for cats, as well offers a free spay/neuter clinic.

Ms. Malacek concedes that "Manitoulin is different from a big city, and something like this costs money," but is hopeful that "something similar, if smaller, could grow here."

Particularly alarming to Ms. Malacek and some likeminded animal lovers is the way that stray cats in Assiginack have been dealt with of late. According to the Malaceks, too many are being scooped up and euthanized, rather than sheltered and offered to a good home.

Fionn Closs, who is engaged by the township to deal with stray dogs and enforce its canine bylaw, said he does respond to calls about nuisance cats from time to time, live-trapping them for a fee. The municipality does not have a bylaw concerning cats, he noted, so this service is provided on a private basis.

Once he's collected one of these feral felines-which are easily distinguishable from an errant pet, he said, as "they don't meow or rub against your leg; they try to rip the whole metal cage to shreds"-he will try to find them a home, deliver them to a shelter off the Island, or euthanize them if necessary.

"I have adopted out kittens, or others if they're gentle and adoptable," he said. Mr. Closs said he has a list of people who have expressed a willingness to take in an animal, and will call one of these individuals if he has a suitable candidate.

If that fails, he will of often drive them to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Sudbury, or the Society For Animals In Distress in Elliot Lake-at his own expense-presuming they're relatively healthy and stand a chance of being socialized and paired with a willing owner.

Often, though, the cats are "not cute and cuddly," but rather incurably wild, he said, and can also carry diseases that would infect others in a shelter. In such cases, he keeps them for three days, as is the requirement of the federal act under which he's governed as a pound operator, and then, if there's no other option, puts them down.

"I love cats, and euthanizing them is not my first priority," stressed Mr. Closs. "But I don't want to just drop them off and say good riddance, and then have a Sudbury shelter in lockdown because the cat has feline leukemia."

According to Ministry of Agriculture legislation, to which Mr. Closs must adhere as a pound keeper, animals can be dispatched through one of several options, including electrocution, a blow to the head followed by throat cutting, or a bullet from a firearm.

Administering an injection of euthanol, as occurs in veterinary clinics, is also an option, but not one that an animal control officer can easily perform, unless training in pharmacology is undertaken. And while Mr. Closs could engage a local vet to perform the mercy killing, this carries a sizable tab, "and I'd be bankrupt in no time," he said.

For Ms. Malacek, however, dispatching a cat after a few days in a kennel is far too harsh and abrupt a strategy. "It's too hasty to immediately put a bullet in their head," she said. "They deserve better."

The animal advocate, along with several others who met recently to discuss options, feels more time and energy must be put into finding homes for these waifs, however wild and scraggly they may be. They envision a method to advertise the availability of the animals and a network of foster providers who could keep the strays until a taker emerges.

"None of us has much money," said Ms. Malacek. "But we're trying to find ways to solve this problem in a more humane fashion."

Robin Golding, a seasonal resident who volunteers with a Humane Society chapter in Florida in the winter months, said there are many kindhearted people on Manitoulin who already "do good deeds by themselves" to care for homeless creatures. But the absence of broader support means that many creatures are still left to suffer, and the number of needy animals never really goes down, since few people can afford to have these strays fixed.

"If you do rescue a pet, there's nowhere to take them," she said. "Animal control here, I'm sad to say, is winter."

An ultimate goal, she said, would be to establish a Humane Society chapter on Manitoulin, which could provide a centrally located shelter. But in the meantime she feels it's worth setting up a volunteer charitable organization that could at least begin to create a system for harbouring animals, seeing to their health needs, and placing them in loving homes.

"Anything would be better than what we have," she said. "It would be so wonderful if people knew that there was somewhere to take an animal, and if there was a way to help with vet bills."

The Manitoulin Animal Welfare Fund, initiated by Sandy McGillivray of Little Current and administered through the municipality of Central Manitoulin, does offer some welcome assistance for veterinary care of strays, conceded Ms. Golding, but she feels this is only a partial solution to the problem.

"It's a wonderful service but there's a limited amount of money," she said. "It will cover some of the costs, but you have to meet the criteria."

Ruth Frawley, clerk of Central Manitoulin, explained that the fund will cover all of the needles and vet care required for strays that are sick or injured, plus a third of the cost of spaying or neutering.

That's presuming there's money in the fund, which is far from a given. The kitty, so to speak, was topped up quite nicely a couple of years ago thanks to payments made as part of court judgments (one of those court-ordered donations was $10,000), but has plummeted since. "Our poor fund is getting pretty low," said Ms. Frawley. "It's about $1,000 now at the most."

Central Manitoulin, like Assiginack, engages an animal control officer-it's part of the job description of the municipality's bylaw enforcement officer-to deal with roaming dogs. And the township is bound by the same law obliging municipalities to house a stray (whether it's a cat or dog) at a kennel for three days, after which the animal "can be put down," said Ms. Frawley.

Euthanasia, however, is practically unheard of in Central Manitoulin, according to the clerk. "We've never had to do that as long as I've been here," said Ms. Frawley. "We're lucky that people have taken so many animals."

She's a case in point. "I have a stray myself," noted Ms. Frawley. So do most of her coworkers. "Just about everybody in the office has taken something," she laughed.

Four-footed ragamuffins that don't end up in the homes of Central Manitoulin employees are farmed out to other softhearted types in the township and beyond, often via postings at a social-networking webpage that was set up by Michelle Cunning. Technically, Ms. Cunning works as the municipality's asset management coordinator, but she doubles as pet placement manager in her spare time.

"I made a Facebook group called the Central Manitoulin Animal Welfare Fund, and almost 100 people have joined," she said. "We take pictures (of homeless critters) and post them online and people respond very quickly."

In a brief description posted at the site, Ms. Cunning explains that, while she wasn't personally involved in the creation of the Animal Welfare Fund, "I believe in it and I believe it's got potential to do a huge world of good here on Manitoulin Island." However, "funding for organizations like this gets low and then their ability to be effective goes down the drain," she writes. "So, let's get as many Manitoulin residents together and really work together to aid in the rescue and placement of our furry friends into 'forever' homes!"

Group members span the Island, and takers for those creatures that come to the attention of Central Manitoulin staff through the website "aren't just from this township," Ms. Cunning noted. Nor, necessarily, are the animals. "The last one we adopted out, a two-year-old fixed female cat, was from Tehkummah, and it found a home in Little Current."

The municipal office isn't a depot for strays, the employee stressed, so Islanders shouldn't bring animals to the doorstep; but if there's a pet that needs a home, Ms. Cunning and her coworkers will happily post its picture at the Facebook site, as well as post old-fashioned notices in the foyer of the municipal building.

The staff keeps a pictorial record of successful adoptions displayed prominently in the office, too. "We call it our wall of fame," said Ms. Cunning. "We have pictures of all the ones we've found homes for."

As successful as this township has been in managing its strays, and sparing them a pauper's grave, however, Ms. Cunning believes it's an ongoing challenge, and that there's definitely a role for an Island-wide rescue organization. "There is a lot more that needs to be done," she said.

Lara Pennie, another animal crusader in the Assiginack area, agrees. "I really do think it's a desperate situation here on the Island," she said. "We need to pull animal lovers from the different communities together and try to make some sort of difference."

She believes the animal welfare fund provides a noble and useful way to begin to address the problem, but has personally found this service confusing, as have others she's spoken with who thought they might qualify for pet-rescuing help, but weren't eligible for assistance.

Ms. Pennie is keen to help out in boosting this account, and is hoping to stage a fundraiser to that end, "but in order to get people to send funds, I think clarification is needed regarding how exactly the funds are applied," she said.

She also feels that an extra effort, beyond contributing to this pool of pet-helping money, is required. "It's a foundation that's been laid, but we have to build upon that," she said. "I know different areas have their controls, but it's the compassion level that I'd like to build upon. Even some small changes would be better than nothing."

None of the Island's municipalities or First Nations is really set up to accommodate itinerant critters, and the two veterinary clinics can only spare so much kennel space.

Taking an animal to the SPCA in Sudbury, meanwhile, is often impractical, since apart from the time and money involved in making the trip, a charge can be levied if the animal has to be put down, noted Ms. Golding.

The nascent animal-rescue group hopes to create a local option for pet protection that would make both travel to off-Island agencies and euthanization of strays unnecessary. "I would love to have something happen here," said Ms. Golding.

Mr. Closs appreciates the concern about animals being put down, and would also prefer to see every cat or dog he encounters placed in a loving environment, but argues this is not always possible.

"I completely understand," he said. "It's great to save animals, and have a good, happy ending-and I strive to make that happen. But it's not always a reality."
 

Liberal MP takes FedNor bill beyond second reading

Both Northern Tory MPs vote 'nay'

by Jim Moodie

OTTAWA-A bill to make FedNor into a stand-alone agency squeaked past second reading last week, despite the conspicuous objection of the North's two Tory MPs.

Bill C-309, introduced by Nipissing-Temiskaming Liberal MP Anthony Rota, would make FedNor into an arm's-length agency, separate from the Department of Industry. Its champions, including the seven-member NDP caucus in Northern Ontario, point to other economic development bodies in Canada, such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, as examples of regional funders that have this type of independent status.

Industry Minister and Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement voted against the bill, as did fellow Conservative Greg Rickford, the member for Kenora, much to the consternation of Mr. Rota and his NDP allies.

"I am disappointed, but not entirely surprised that Mr. Clement voted against Bill C-309," Mr. Rota told the North Bay Nugget. "The minister and his Conservative colleagues have repeatedly shown a lack of understanding and respect for the people of Northern Ontario, and they have proven once more that they are completely out of touch with the issues that matter most to the people of our region."

Mr. Clement, who holds responsibility for FedNor as part of his industry portfolio, counters that the proposed change is unnecessary and would merely add costs and red tape. "The fact is FedNor works well and has helped thousands of Northern Ontarians for many years," he argued in a press statement. "Now is the worst time for Anthony Rota to try and dismantle FedNor and to create an agency with expensive bureaucracy that would take time to create."

Mr. Rota, however, feels the timing couldn't be more appropriate for a change of this nature. "At a time of economic uncertainty, I believe the (industry) committee owes it to the dozens of communities and municipalities throughout Northern Ontario that have publicly endorsed this bill to do everything it can to ensure that this legislation moves forward," he told the Nugget.

C-309 was introduced in February, but has its origins in the previous parliament and a related bill that was brought forward by New Democrat Tony Martin, MP for Sault Ste. Marie. Mr. Martin's proposal similarly called for the bolstering of FedNor into a full-fledged regional agency, but went a provocative step further by demanding that Parry Sound-Muskoka, the industry minister's own riding, be withdrawn from the agency's purview.

At the time, Mr. Martin told the Expositor that, in his view, the extension of Northern Ontario to include Parry Sound and Muskoka had resulted in a cash grab for Conservative-held cottage country, and that the traditional boundary should be restored. "Historically, looking north-south, the feeling was that the French and Mattawa Rivers were the dividing line," he said.

Mr. Rota supported the Martin bill on its first reading, but shortly thereafter came up with his own FedNor-revamping strategy, as is reflected in the current bill-one that echoes many of the Soo member's arguments but stops short of redrawing the regional map.

Both the Nipissing-Temiskaming member and his New Democratic counterparts in the North feel that the federal agency has suffered under Tory rule. They contend that, since the Conservatives took office in 2006, the FedNor budget has been slashed by nearly $7 million a year.

A third of the budget, in the estimation of the NDP, has been siphoned off to eastern and southern Ontario. That's largely because, apart from supporting projects in the North, the agency also channels funding to Community Futures Development Corporations-such as our own LaCloche-Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation-that are quartered in balmier corners of the province.

Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, fully supports Mr. Rota's bill to retool the regional funder, arguing in a release issued last week that the current incarnation of FedNor "shows a lack of understanding of the characteristics of Northern towns and lack of respect for local budgets."

Ms. Hughes pointed to an application made by Hearst for financial help to realize a Green Technology Centre, which got "the complete run-around." FedNor officials first told the town "that it should repurpose the initial application and make it a business centre, as opposed to the tourist centre that was originally envisioned," she said. "When they heard back from FedNor next, it was to tell them the application was not appropriate for FedNor."

Claude Gravelle, Nickel Belt MP and NDP critic for FedNor, heaped scorn on both Mr. Clement and Mr. Rickford for failing to back the Rota bill. "It is a real shame that the only MPs the Conservatives managed to elect in Northern Ontario won't stand up for the region," he said in a release.

According to Mr. Clement, however, the legislation is unworkable. "Any bill that costs money needs royal recommendation and this bill didn't have it," he stated. "That means this bill will no longer be voted on and it can never become law."

The FedNor minister claims that those pushing for a new version of FedNor are aware that the bill isn't likely to be enacted, and are simply trying to "score cheap political points" by pretending it's a plausible idea.

"Anthony Rota, Tony Martin and others know that FedNor is working for Ontarians and that instead of wasting taxpayer dollars on creating a whole new agency, we should use the network of programs that already exist," he argued in a release.

Mr. Rota maintains that establishing FedNor as a separate entity would ensure that the program would not be subjected to further cuts, while allowing for greater accountability, as the agency would be required to report to parliament on a regular basis.

Bill C-309 passed second reading by the narrow margin of 144-142 and will now move to the Committee on Industry, Science and Technology for further discussion and fine-tuning.

Giant hogweed plant invades Manitoulin

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-A lofty plant with a flowering top that can spread as wide as three feet, giant hogweed might be tempting to touch or even transfer to a garden, but Islanders are being warned not to cozy up too much to this showy intruder.

"It looks like a big white umbrella," notes Christine McCartney, a market gardener and member of the Gordon Women's Institute, which has been sounding an alarm about the presence of this herbaceous oddity on the West End. "You see it and think, 'Isn't that a pretty plant.' But it's very dangerous, so we're trying to get the message out to the public not to dig it up."

Giant hogweed, it turns out, isn't just a foreign species that can compete with native varieties, but behaves as a sort of extra-tall toxicodendron-the family that includes poison ivy-with the capacity to produce a painful skin reaction among susceptible individuals.

According to an invasive species website jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the weed's watery sap contains compounds that sensitize skin to sunlight and can cause burning and inflammation if you happen to brush up against this nasty secretion.

"Blisters occurring from contact with hogweed sap can develop into purplish or blackened scars sometimes up to 48 hours after exposure," warns the Invading Species Awareness Program site. Exposure can also cause "recurring dermatitis," while contact with the eyes is definitely to be avoided, as it "can lead to temporary or possibly permanent blindness."

Ms. McCartney, who first noticed the towering specimen while driving around last summer, says she initially found it enticing and can understand how "it could be an attraction to people who want to beautify their gardens." Having since learned of its noxious qualities, she and other members of the Women's Institute now want to see it stamped out, or at least contained.

"We want to see what can be done to eradicate it before it gets too big a foothold," she says. "There's a lot of information about it on the Internet, and none of it is good."

Ms. McCartney recently sent a letter to this paper, on behalf of the Women's Institute, to spread awareness about the non-native weed-which resembles cow parsnip but reaches considerably bigger proportions-and the group has also registered its concern with the township of Gordon/Barrie Island, which boasts at least one obvious patch of the problematic plant along the Golf Course Road.

Council "took their concern seriously and has taken action on it," assures Carrie Lewis, clerk/treasurer for township. "We're looking at getting rid of it-what we can get rid of."

She notes that the municipality "already sprayed some this spring," but this doesn't mean the monster flower will instantly disappear. "When it comes to noxious weeds, you have to be patient-you can't get rid of it overnight," she says.

The township is also limited to dealing with occurrences of the plant along roadsides and in other public areas, according to Ms. Lewis. "We can't do anything about it on private property."

While hogweed is far from rampant on Manitoulin, it does exist in a few areas, including some confined by fences and property lines. "I have seen it in more than just Gordon Township," says agricultural representative Brian Bell, with one example being at "a private residence in the central part of the Island."

Mr. Bell, who was consulted by Gordon/Barrie Island regarding an appropriate line of attack to deal with the potential menace, believes it may not be perfectly accurate to deem the plant an invasive species, since it occurs in other parts of Northern Ontario and might have been introduced years ago through settlement patterns.

He recognizes that "it can be a concern health-wise," although this would only be "at a certain time of year, and if the person touching it got the resin on their skin." He feels the chances of this are slim, given the spotty occurrence of the plant on Manitoulin, but notes that "children might be curiously attracted to it," since it grows so big.

According to the province's Invading Species website, a hogweed plant can climb as high as six metres-19 feet!-during its flowering stage in late summer. "It's pretty impressive," says Mr. Bell. "It looks almost like bamboo."

The biggest risk, though, could "ironically come down to the road crews if they have to remove it without herbicide," says the ag rep. "If people mechanically remove it, at a certain stage of growth, they should be cautious."

While he hasn't personally fielded a lot of complaints, and doesn't feel there's a need to panic, Mr. Bell says the plant has created enough concern in certain areas that "some townships are even considering putting in a bylaw for control measures."

Originating in Asia, hogweed first made its way to Europe, and thence to North America, where the leggy perennial was seemingly coveted as an ornamental garden addition. But it can also run amok, posing a risk not just to the dermatological health of humans, but the ecological equilibrium of pre-existing flora.

According to the University of Alaska-yes, hogweed has even spread now to the Arctic-it flourishes along roadsides and riverbanks, where it "forms a dense canopy, outcompeting and displacing native species."

This habitat hogger holds the Guinness record for world's biggest weed, and has even been acknowledged in song, through a tune by British prog-rockers Genesis, titled "The Return of the Giant Hogweed." (Sample lyric: "Nothing can stop them/Around every river and canal their power is growing.")

At least a few Islanders think this noxious colonizer should be nipped in the bud, however, and would prefer to see it leave our area-and never come back.

Google Maps declares Goat Island a new provincial park

by Jim Moodie

GOAT ISLAND-A sketch created a few years back for the waterfront project in Little Current rendered nearby Goat Island in a vivid green hue, which seemed odd enough at the time, given the lingering coal piles, calcium tanks, and the absence of anything too leafy, unless you counted poison ivy.

This urge to green Goat Island recently got grander and more global, however, with our homely brownfield (definition: "a former industrial or commercial site where future use is affected by real or perceived environmental contamination") being elevated to park status by the folks at Google Maps.

If you go to this handy web resource, and focus in on Little Current, that mostly barren and semi-toxic landmass to the north of the swing bridge shows up as a solid green chunk, surreally overlaid with the title "La Cloche Provincial Park."

Mike Erskine, a longtime contributor to the Expositor and keen observer of all things local and off-kilter, said he came across this curiosity while attempting to provide directions for visitors.

"I had invited a number of people from out of town to our home in Little Current and, like many people do these days, I decided to include a link to a Google map showing our guests how to get to our place," he said. "I did a double take when I saw Goat Island and the coal docks marked as a provincial park and thought to myself: 'When did that happen?'"

Well, it never did, of course, except in the alternate reality of a glitch-prone web universe. There is an actual La Cloche Provincial Park-a bit obscure, but bona fide-located on the North Shore near Sagamok. It encompasses most of La Cloche Lake, a considerable chunk of the La Cloche Mountains, and part of the area once taken up by the historic Fort La Cloche.

That's on the Google map too. But this genuine park has somehow wandered south and replicated itself on the smaller, grittier, CPR-owned topography of Goat Island.

Tamara Micner, a communications worker with the Toronto office of Google Canada, explained in an email that "these inaccuracies do come up from time to time, and we appreciate when people note them and help us fix them."

The fault doesn't entirely lie with Google, though, according to Ms. Micner. The digital cartography provided through this site combines information gleaned from many sources, including "web-search results, data submitted directly by local business owners, publicly available Yellow Pages directories, and so on," she noted.

And the map info and satellite imagery "come from third parties such has TeleAtlas, so the maps' accuracy does depend largely on those third parties," she indicated.

The onus to correct any glitch apparently rests less with the web giant itself than the groups that provide information to Google, or have an interest in getting it set straight.

"It's possible to edit location information within Google Maps by searching for a specific place-such as this provincial park-and clicking on 'more info,' then 'add to or edit your business,'" communicated Ms. Micner. "In this case someone from the provincial park would probably need to edit the information."

Meanwhile, visitors receiving Google-assisted directions from Island hosts, along with anyone independently planning a vacation to our shores, may find themselves a bit perplexed if they pull off Highway 6 at Goat Island, hoping to pitch a tent amid this alleged haven of provincially protected greenery. The rail company owning this piece of hazardous real estate may be a bit mystified-and ticked-too.

After his own moment of bafflement, Mr. Erskine shortly concluded that he "would have definitely heard about (Goat Island becoming a park) if it had been announced." His next thought was: "Oh, isn't that going to cause some serious issues for the landowners-not to mention the innocent folks who would wind up trespassing because they honestly thought it was Crown land."

Ironically, or tellingly, enough, there was, for many years, a park on Great Cloche Island, the bigger landmass directly north of Goat Island. That one was for real-it was even free, as a sign proudly proclaimed-but it didn't last. A couple of years ago this camping spot was closed down because of liability concerns.

EDITORIAL
 

Literal 'dead end' at Hwy. 17/Rd. 55 needs fixing

All four fatal accidents in the Sudbury region last weekend were preventable.

Certainly the horrendous mishap that claimed the lives of three teenagers was. The individual charged with running them down on Regional Road 88 in Hanmer has been charged with impaired driving in addition to the numerous other charges he faces. This fact alone shines the bright light of relevance on the province's newly revised "barely tolerable" regulations regarding alcohol consumption and the operation of a motor vehicle.

But the other mishap where the operator of a motorcycle lost his life in a collision at the intersection of Regional Road 55 and Highway 17 (where the old Highway 17 intersects with the near-beginning of the new four-laned route into-and around-Sudbury) is equally tragic, with the added fillip of being somewhat predictable.

Since what is now Regional Road 55 ceased to be Highway 17, with the four-laning of the road some 20 years ago, this is the third fatality at this very confusing intersection, not to mention all of the near-misses to which many, many people who travel this corridor routinely can attest.

This most recent fatality occurred after an individual came to a stop at the Regional Road 55 and Highway 17 intersection and then turned right, towards Sudbury. Evidently she hadn't seen or correctly gauged the speed of oncoming motorcycles. The lead rider collided with the car and perished. Another rider also hit the car but has survived.

The first accident at this intersection involved someone unfamiliar with the layout coming to a stop at the intersection and then turning left-into oncoming traffic. She hadn't realized the highway was divided at that point and that she had to steer around a median to put herself, correctly, in the westbound lanes.

Another fatality took place when the driver of a car, also coming away from the Regional Road-Highway 17 intersection and planning a left-hand turn, had their vehicle struck as they attempted to cross the intersection.

Each of these situations is different from the others, but this many fatalities at a fairly remote intersection calls for immediate study and remediation.

It is very clear that having a local road simply meet a four-lane, divided highway with a posted speed limit of 90 km/hr. simply doesn't make sense where access to, or across, the busy road is controlled only by a simple stop sign.

Granted, we cannot always protect people from themselves, but it is the job of the Ministry of Transportation to ensure the travelling public that the roads they're using are as safe as possible.

The people who live along and use Regional Road 55 must have access to Highway 17 and, given the history of this access over the past two decades, it is clearly time that access is controlled via an overpass.

Ontario is presently spending millions of dollars on a series of overpasses and bridges south of Sudbury and north from Parry Sound, as the extension of Highway 400 between these two centres inches forward, with a predicted completion date of 2017.

Clearly, there is money available to fund major projects like this one.

In the scheme of things, an overpass connecting Highway 17 and Regional Road 55 with controlled exits and ramps will be a relatively small investment.

But it must happen-and soon. This intersection has been a dea end, both figuratively and, tragically, literally as well, for too long and far too often.

Letters to the Editor
 

Blended sales tax adds burden to consumers

Ratepayers urge province to maintain PST exemptions

To The Expositor:

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letter was originally sent to Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty and is reprinted here at the authors' request.

Dear Premier McGuinty,

As an association dedicated to assisting taxpayers in our municipality, we must strenuously object to the new blended GST and PST tax that will be applied to most goods and services. Currently, there are many items exempt from part of this taxation. However, under the new blended tax, many more items will be taxed. These items are in daily use by consumers who are taxpayers, resulting in an onerous burden in a time of hard economic realities. Taxpayers are already feeling the pinch of recession and increased property assessments. Now, all taxpayers will once again feel the added taxes this new blending will create. We strongly urge the government to rethink their institution of this tax and continue to exclude those items currently exempt from the PST.

the executive of the NEMI Ratepayers' Association

Mark Volpini, chairman; Pam Derks, vice-chair;

Irene Callaghan, secretary; Sam Nardi, treasurer;

Linda Case, treasurer; Jack Wood, director;

Chris Bousquet, director; Tony Ferro, director

Harper, Ignatieff meeting has revealed visions for future

Liberal party needs exciting AMK candidate

To the Expositor:

The one benefit that came out of the showdown between Michael Ignatieff and Stephen Harper over the last few days is that both parties can get better prepared for an election, and they showed all Canadians what their visions are for Canada in the future.

Mr. Ignatieff has still to do this-to release a set of policies that can demonstrate how different he and his party are from PM Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada. He will have to work hard at that, because the recent events have inevitably given the impression that if he can agree to Mr. Harper's budget, they can't be too far apart.

Mr. Harper seems to be aiming for a smaller, less ambitious branch-plant Canada. I hope Mr. Ignatieff can convince us that his vision is greater, because Canada has the potential to be just that!

On the local front, in the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing riding, I hope that the Liberal organization can come forward with an exciting candidate. Now they have some breathing room to do so.

It would be a terrible shame to continue to look back at the illustrious past of this riding, to put forward names from the past, when the riding really has a great opportunity to look forward and propose a candidate who has the background and skills to address some of the major technological and societal challenges that face us in the 21st century.

Paul Darlaston

Kagawong

MPP should be speaking on behalf of riding

Leader shirking responsibilities

To the Expositor:

Many polite and respectable persons have given me the courtesy of calling and asking why I am constantly complaining about the lack of action on behalf of Mike Brown, provincial MPP for our area.

Recent activity in relation to the provincial body eHealth Ontario is a case in point that I offer up as reason to those people who are nice enough to call me for an explanation. Today, on radio 94.1 CKNR Elliot Lake, Mike Brown expounded on how he could not understand why there was no money available to assist those residents of St. Joseph Island who are in fear of losing their hospital, Matthews Memorial.

Why Mr. Brown does not understand is beyond me and demonstrates he is up to his neck in this scam by his totally ignoring the problem even exists. The eHealth CEO, Sarah Kramer, has doled out $5 million in untendered contracts, and two independent individuals were hired by this same office at $700,000 a year by your taxes. The CEO who did this gave herself a bonus of $114,000-your tax money-which is twice the allowable rate. This bonus was explained, by the way, as award for negotiating cancer treatment deals. Ms. Kramer has a $380,000 salary on top of that.

The CEO also received a separation gift of many more dollars. I just had a lady from my village canvassing in the rain on behalf of cancer. I wonder if she knows about Ms. Kramer.

Mike Brown, you are as guilty as Sarah Kramer is by not speaking on behalf of us, and expressing our disgust with her and the leader (a term I use loosely) of your party for not taking immediate action.

Larry Killens

South Baymouth