Tag Archives: norfolk county

Politics

Ont. Liberals – Our Province Second Only To California For Foreign Direct Investment

1 Comment

Today Minister of Economic Development and Innovation Brad Duguid announced that Ontario is partnering with companies for projects that will help create 550 new jobs and protect 1,056 existing jobs for families. The province is supporting company investments which will create new jobs for families, help spur growth and strengthen local economies.  These new jobs build upon the 97,700 net new jobs that have already been created in Ontario so far this year alone.

Ontario Helps Create Jobs
McGuinty Government Partners With Companies To Strengthen The Economy
NEWS October 27, 2011

Ontario is partnering with companies for projects that will help create 550 new jobs and protect 1,056 existing jobs for families.  The province is supporting company investments which will create new jobs for families, help spur growth and strengthen local economies.  These new jobs build upon the 97,700 net new jobs that have already been created in Ontario so far this year alone.
In the face of global economic uncertainty, Ontario continues to provide strong and stable business conditions which are helping companies create jobs with new
investments across the province. Partnering with local businesses and supporting business is part of the McGuinty government’s plan
Silo Direct Link to Ontario Government Budgets Website  in moving forward to create and support new and existing jobs across the province.

QUOTES
“The foundation of Ontario’s economy is our skilled workers and innovative companies.  Our government will continue its proactive approach to partner with business and industry. We will invest strategically to help companies grow, create jobs and help Ontario progress in this period of economic uncertainty.”
– Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation
QUICK FACTS
*                     Since October 2003, Ontario has created 524,100 new jobs.

*                     In 2010, Ontario was named a top destination for foreign direct investment in North America, second only to California. The province attracted a total of 127 Foreign Direct Investment projects, which created more than 11,200 jobs.

*                     In June of this year, Ontario created more jobs than the rest of Canada and the United States combined.

*                     KPMG calculates that Ontario has an 11.3 per cent cost advantage for research and development relative to the United States.

*                     As a result of the tax changes implemented in Ontario, taxes on business investment were cut in half, making Ontario more competitive and encouraging business growth.

LEARN MORE

Read Ontario’s Progress Report 2011
Silo Direct Link to Ontario Governments Progress Report Website Check out government-funded programs and services.

Visit the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation’s Silo Direct Link to Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation Website  website for comprehensive economic and trade news, including a toolkit for businesses.
Andrew Block, Minister Duguid’s Office, 416-276-0511
Neil Trotter, Communications Branch, 416-325-6716
Silo Direct Link to Ontario Governments Economy News Website

Disponible en français
NOUVELLES
Ministère du Développement économique et de l’Innovation

L’Ontario contribue à la création d’emplois
Le gouvernement McGuinty fait équipe avec des entreprises pour renforcer l’économie
NOUVELLES                                                                           Le 27 octobre 2011

L’Ontario fait équipe avec des entreprises en vue de réaliser des projets qui permettront de créer 550 nouveaux emplois et de protéger 1 056 emplois existants
pour les familles. La province aide les entreprises à faire des investissements qui créeront de nouveaux emplois pour les familles, stimuleront la croissance et renforceront les économies locales. Ces nouveaux emplois s’ajoutent aux quelque 97 700 nouveaux emplois nets qui ont déjà été créés en Ontario depuis le début de l’année.
Alors que la situation économique mondiale est incertaine, l’Ontario continue d’offrir aux entreprises un environnement solide et stable qui les aide à créer des
emplois en faisant de nouveaux investissements dans toute la province. Faire équipe avec des entreprises locales et donner du soutien aux entreprises sont
deux éléments du plan du gouvernement McGuinty de créer de nouveaux emplois et de maintenir les emplois existants dans la province.
www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2011/index.html
CITATION
« Les travailleurs spécialisés et les entreprises innovantes constituent le fondement de l’économie ontarienne. Notre gouvernement maintiendra sa démarche
proactive en faisant équipe avec les entreprises et l’industrie. Nous ferons des investissements stratégiques pour aider les entreprises à prendre de l’expansion, à
créer des emplois et à contribuer à la croissance de l’Ontario en cette période d’incertitude économique. »

– Brad Duguid, ministre du Développement économique et de l’Innovation

FAITS EN BREF
*                     Depuis octobre 2003, l’Ontario a créé 524 100 nouveaux emplois.

*                     En 2010, la province de l’Ontario figurait au deuxième rang des principales destinations pour les investissements directs étrangers en Amérique
du Nord, après la Californie. La province a attiré au total 127 projets d’investissement direct étranger qui ont créé plus de 11 200 emplois.

*                     En juin, l’Ontario a créé plus d’emplois que le reste du Canada et les États-Unis combinés.

*                     D’après KPMG, l’Ontario dispose d’un avantage de 11,3 % au niveau des coûts par rapport aux États-Unis en matière de recherche-développement.

*                     Par suite des modifications fiscales apportées en Ontario, les impôts sur les investissements des entreprises ont été réduits de moitié, ce qui rend la province plus compétitive et favorise la croissance des entreprises.
POUR EN SAVOIR DAVANTAGE
Consultez le Rapport d’étape 2011
http://www.ontario.ca/fr/initiatives/ProgressReport2011/ONT05_039201.html  de l’Ontario.
Renseignez-vous sur les programmes et services financés par le gouvernement http://www.ontario.ca/fr/business_program/index.htm  destinés aux entreprises
ontariennes.
Visitez le site Web du ministère du Développement économique et de l’Innovation http://www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/1medt/fr/home_fr.jsp  pour obtenir des
nouvelles détaillées sur l’économie et le commerce, ainsi qu’une trousse destinée
aux entreprises.

Andrew Block, bureau du ministre Duguid, 416 276-0511
Neil Trotter, Direction des communications, 416 325-6716
www.ontario.ca/economie-nouvelles

Politics

Ontario Green Party Vows To Protect Our Water

Leave a comment


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREEN PARTY LEADER LOOKS AHEAD; COMMITS TO PROMOTING CHANGE DURING MINORITY GOVERNMENT

Toronto – The Green Party of Ontario promises to continue to promote positive change during this minority session of government.
“I am proud of the Green Party’s campaign. The historic gains we made in terms of volunteers, membership and fundraising are accomplishments that build for the future,” said Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario.
“I’m disappointed, but not discouraged by the outcome of the election,” said Schreiner. This election saw the lowest voter turnout in Ontario’s history, and created a minority government.

“We’ve established a solid foundation for the Green Party to grow. The policies articulated in our platform are what Ontario needs, and our organization grows stronger by the day. Unfortunately, vote totals don’t always reflect the strength of a party. I am especially committed to strengthening our democracy by re-engaging the people who didn’t vote this time.”
The Green Party will continue to promote solutions that move the province forward toward a sustainable future for ourselves, our children and future generations. “Our campaign focused on key issues that won’t go away. We will continue to challenge the old parties on tackling tough challenges including local job creation; climate change; access to healthy local food; and responsible government that protects our water, preserves our farmland and puts the needs of our communities ahead of special interests,” says Schreiner.

Contact:

Becky Smit
Green Party of Ontario
(c) 647-830-6486
(o) 416-977-7476
(e) beckysmit@gpo.ca Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Vintage

Songs For Rainy Weather – What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?

Leave a comment

How can we honestly say that today’s rain and overcast skies influenced our choice for today’s 90’s flashback…umm, urr, we can’t. But this throwback track from R.E.M. rocks. Pack your umbrella for the next few days and if you’ve got room on your ipod (we’re guessing you do, and if you don’t drop us a line explaining why not) , add this song to your playlist. It just might be a cure-all for the turn in the weather. Now where did i put my can of orange Crush?
CP

Politics

Ont. Green Party Offers Top 10 List – It’s Easy Being Green

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GREEN PARTY HITS BACK WITH “IT’S EASY BEING GREEN” CAMPAIGN
Toronto, ON – Today, the Green Party of Ontario launched a campaign to dispel the myth started by Kermit the Frog, that it’s not easy being Green.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to let folks in Ontario know that it actually is easy to be Green,” said Rebecca Harrison, Director of Communications. “We know Kermit the Frog started quite the rumour, but we know that our team continues to grow as our message reaches more and more people across Ontario.”

The Green Party compiled a list of top 10 reasons why it’s easy being Green, and has started a online campaign to promote the reasons that it is easy being green. Ontarians can contribute their own reasons at Silo Direct Link To Green Party It’s Easy Being Green Webpage [1] or on Facebook Silo Direct Link To Green Party Of Ontario Facebook Page

The Green Party of Ontario’s membership has more than doubled this year, and the party is running a full slate of 107 candidates in this election.

TOP 10 REASONS WHY IT’S EASY BEING GREEN

10. We get to answer questions about Kermit the Frog at least once every four years. (More often with a minority government!)
9. There is one party that knows how important healthy local food [3] is for our families and communities.
8. Ontarians are already going green. Whether it’s recycling, buying local food or switching off lights, people in Ontario are already choosing sustainable options. It’s time for Queen’s Park to catch up.
7. Only the Green Party has a plan to reduce taxes on the things we want [4] – income and jobs, and put a price on the things we don’t want – waste, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Birkenstocks are comfortable. Come on – you know they are!
5. The old parties have energy plans that reward energy hogs. The Green Party has a plan that saves you money by saving energy. [5]
4. Only one party is calling for an end to corporate and union political donations [6]. Corporations and unions don’t vote – people do.
3. Everyone likes the underdog! We have to work hard to earn your trust and your vote, which is why our sleeves are rolled up and we’re knocking on doors in communities across Ontario.
2. The words “Local Food”, “Mega-Quarry [7]” and “Climate Change [8]” didn’t cross the lips of the old party Leaders in the televised debate once. You know that debate, the one with no clear winner? (Or new ideas?)
1. Because even one Green MPP can make a difference at Queen’s Park. Look at Elizabeth May, Canada’s first Green MP now sitting in the House of Commons, the first Green MPs in Australia and Great Britain, and the first Green State Government in Germany.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications
Green Party of Ontario
(905) 999 – 5479
rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca
Sent from Green Party of Ontario
PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Politics

Ont Liberals:Time To Renegotiate 10 Year Accord For Seniors’ Needs

Leave a comment

For immediate release

ONTARIO NEEDS AN ONTARIO CHAMPION
Premier Ready To Confront Challenges Ahead

LINDSAY — Only Ontario Liberals can be counted on to stand up for Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty told a crowd in Lindsay today.

“When it comes to negotiating with the federal government, we need a strong voice that is willing to stand up for Ontario,” said McGuinty. “We know Tim Hudak won’t go toe-to-toe with Stephen Harper. He’ll simply smile, shrug and do what he’s told — leaving Ontario to pay the price.”

In 2004, the provinces and territories signed a 10-year Health Accord with the federal government that was focused on wait times. That Accord was essential to Ontario’s progress in lowering surgical wait times — because it provided the certainty that was needed for fundamental reforms.

Now, it’s time to negotiate a new 10-year Accord to focus on the needs of seniors. In the next 10 years, 1.6 million Ontarians will turn 65, the traditional retirement age — that’s twice as many people as between 1981 and 1991.

“While Ontario has made significant improvements to health care, we can do even more with a strong federal partner,” said McGuinty. “Sitting down at the table to renegotiate this long-term accord is one of the most important issues awaiting the Premier of Ontario in the years ahead.”

McGuinty was joined at the event by Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock candidate Rick Johnson, whom he praised for his commitment to his community.

“Rick is a tireless advocate for the people of Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock and a strong member of our Ontario Liberal team,” McGuinty said. “He’s delivered a Family Health Team as well as a new MRI at Ross Memorial Hospital to provide families with better health care closer to home.”

A Hudak/Harper partnership would mean significant cuts and would take Ontario off track in perilous economic times. The Hudak PCs also have $14 billion in unfunded giveaways and tax cuts that would mean additional cuts to hospitals and schools. The Horwath NDP would take Ontario off track by introducing a crushing $9 billion in job-killing taxes.

“We need someone that will stand up for Ontario,” said Johnson. “Ontario needs an Ontario champion — Ontario needs Dalton McGuinty.”

For further information –

Ontario Liberal Party Media Office:
416 961-3800 ext. 328

Pour diffusion immédiate
Le 30 septembre 2011

L’ONTARIO A BESOIN D’UN CHEF DE FILE QUI PRENNE FAIT ET CAUSE POUR LA PROVINCE
Le premier ministre doit être prêt à relever les défis qui attendent l’Ontario

LINDSAY — Aujourd’hui, devant une foule rassemblée à Lindsay, le premier ministre Dalton McGuinty a déclaré que seuls les Libéraux de l’Ontario étaient en mesure de défendre les intérêts de la province.

« Quand il s’agit de négocier avec le gouvernement fédéral, nous avons besoin d’une voix forte, prête à s’élever pour prendre fait et cause pour l’Ontario », a souligné M. McGuinty. « Nous savons que Tim Hudak ne s’opposera pas à Stephen Harper. Il se contentera de sourire, de hausser les épaules et de faire ce qu’on lui dit de faire — laissant ainsi l’Ontario payer le prix fort. »

En 2004, les provinces et les territoires ont signé un accord décennal pour consolider les soins de santé. Cet accord était notamment axé sur la réduction des temps d’attente, et a joué un rôle essentiel pour faire diminuer les temps d’attente ontariens en matière de chirurgie — il nous a en effet donné les certitudes dont nous avions besoin pour mettre en œuvre des réformes fondamentales.

Aujourd’hui, l’heure est venue de négocier un nouvel accord décennal mettant l’accent sur les besoins des personnes âgées. Dans les dix années à venir, 1,6 million d’Ontariennes et d’Ontariens fêteront leur 65e anniversaire, l’âge où l’on prend généralement sa retraite — cela représente deux fois plus de personnes qu’entre 1981 et 1991.

« Même si l’Ontario a accompli des progrès majeurs dans le domaine des soins de santé, nous pouvons faire encore mieux à condition d’avoir un partenaire fédéral fort », a rappelé M. McGuinty. « S’asseoir à la table des négociations pour discuter des termes de cet accord décennal, voilà l’un des enjeux clés qui attend le premier ministre de l’Ontario dans les années qui viennent. »

Lors de l’événement d’aujourd’hui, Dalton McGuinty a été rejoint par Rick Johnson, le candidat de la circonscription de Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, qu’il a félicité pour son dévouement à servir sa collectivité.

« Rick défend inlassablement les intérêts des résidentes et résidents de Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, et c’est l’un des acteurs majeurs de l’équipe du Parti libéral de l’Ontario », a déclaré M. McGuinty. « Il a contribué à la mise en place d’une équipe de santé familiale et d’un nouveau système d’IRM à l’Hôpital Ross Memorial, dans l’objectif de fournir aux familles des soins de santé de meilleure qualité, plus près de leur domicile. »

Un partenariat entre M. Hudak et M. Harper se traduirait par des coupures drastiques, ce qui ferait déraper l’Ontario dans un contexte économique périlleux. Le Parti PC de M. Hudak offre des cadeaux et des réductions d’impôt non financés de 14 milliards de dollars, ce qui se traduirait par des coupures drastiques pour les hôpitaux et les écoles. Quant au NPD de Mme Horwath, il compte introduire 9 milliards de dollars sous forme d’impôts destructeurs d’emplois, ce qui risque également de mettre l’Ontario sur la mauvaise voie.

« Nous avons besoin de quelqu’un qui prendra fait et cause pour l’Ontario », a affirmé M. Johnson. « La province a besoin d’un chef de file prêt à se battre pour l’Ontario — l’Ontario a besoin de Dalton McGuinty. »

Renseignements :

Parti libéral de l’Ontario – Relations avec les médias

416 961-3800, poste 328

Politics

Ont. Greens: End Biased School Funding Based On Religion

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREEN PARTY OF ONTARIO ADDRESSES INEQUITY IN PUBLICLY FUNDED SCHOOLS

TORONTO, ONTARIO – The Green Party of Ontario today called for a Citizen’s Assembly to address the transition to a single school system (French and English), a move which several other provinces have made
over the past decade.

“Greens believe in a fair, equitable, and financially responsible school system that enriches learning for all students. All Ontarian’s fund our school system, and it is government’s job to ensure that the public has a voice in how that money is spent.” said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.

Currently both Public and Catholic boards are funded per student from the same public fund. Canada ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on May 19th, 1976, with the consent of all provinces, including Ontario. In November 1999 and again in November 2005 the same committee censured Canada again for failing to ‘adopt steps in order to eliminate discrimination on the basis of religion in the funding of schools in Ontario.’

“Our current system operates under a constitutional privilege that dates back to when women were not permitted to vote,” explains Justin Trottier, Green Party candidate for Parkdale High Park. “Other provinces, like Quebec, have achieved a bilateral agreement with the Federal government to unify their school boards so that no particular faith is being funded by the province.”

Recently the issue of inequality in our school system has been underscored by Catholic school boards openly denying students the freedom to form Gay Straight Alliances to create more inclusive environments for students and staff.

“Ontarians pride themselves on their diversity,” said Toronto Centre candidate and LGBT rights activist Mark Daye.”Our education system needs to reflect that.”

The Green Party of Ontario believes that our education system must be fair, equitable and efficient for all students, teachers and families. The Green Party is the only party with a plan to allow Ontarians to address equality in our school system, by moving towards one publicly funded school system, in French and English.

GREEN MPPS WILL:

* Call for a citizen’s assembly to review moving to one publicly funded French and English school system to study and offer recommendations on the constitutional, procedural and logistical issues relating to a single public school system in Ontario. The citizens assembly will provide an opportunity for all Ontarians to comment on and participate in this important discussion. Citizen input is essential to help determine the best way forward.

FACTS:

* Under the Constitution Act of 1982, Constitutional change in an area of provincial jurisdiction (such as education) can be accomplished through bilateral agreement between the province and the Parliament of Canada alone. Ten post-1982 amendments have been made to the Constitution, five of which concern denomination education rights. Quebec and Newfoundland once had denominational school systems. Both provinces modernized their school systems in the 1990s.

* Ontario’s school boards are publicly funded according to the province’s ‘funding formula’, which is based primarily on student enrolment. Municipal ‘school support’ designations have no effect on the amount of funding a board receives. Catholic taxpayers are not the sole supporters of Catholic schools. All taxpayers support all schools.

* Canada ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on May 19th, 1976, with the consent of all provinces, including Ontario. In November 1999, the United Nations Human Rights Committee found Canada in violation of the equality provisions of that Covenant by virtue of Ontario’s discriminatory school system. In November 2005 the same Committee censured Canada again for failing to ‘adopt steps in order to eliminate discrimination on the basis of religion in the funding of schools in Ontario.’

* Source 2005:
The State party should adopt steps in order to eliminate discrimination on the basis of religion in the funding of schools in Ontario.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications
Green Party of Ontario
rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca
905-999-5479 Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Links:
——
[1] rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca
[2] Silo Direct Link To Green Party of Ontario Press Page

Politics

Ont. Greens Pledge: Will End Corporate And Union Election Donations

1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Green Party will eliminate corporate and union donations to political parties
Orangeville, Ontario – Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner (Simcoe-Grey) and Deputy Leader Rob Strang (Dufferin-Caledon) announced the Green Party’s plan to reform the Ontario electoral system to ensure that special interests take a back seat to the priorities of Ontarians.

“It takes a lot of money to run a political campaign the likes of the old line parties. Primetime advertising, a fleet of buses emblazoned with their faces – all cost money,” said Schreiner. “This type of extravagant spending has become the norm, making corporate and union donations the lifeblood of the old parties.”
The problem lies in the fact that corporations and unions don’t vote – people do. And when corporations and unions are allowed to donate, the people in them are effectively allowed to exceed the contribution limits of other individuals set by the province.
“With the province facing controversial developments that threaten farmland and clean water like the mega quarry in Melancthon, we need to ensure that the voices of Ontarians are paramount to that of developers,” added Strang.

Corporate and Union donations have been prohibited in democracies around the world including the Federal government in Canada. By ending such donations, the Green Party argues that politicians remove even the appearance of undue influence.

“Politics as usual in Ontario is not working,” concluded Schreiner.
“Only one party has the courage to change the way parties function from the campaign up. That is why we need Green MPPs at Queen’s Park.”

Your Green MPPs will: ● End corporate and union donations to political parties, candidates and campaigns in provincial and municipal elections

Media Contact: Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications Green Party of Ontario 905-999-5479
rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Links:
——
[1]
http://press.gpo.ca/http://press.gpo.ca/index.php?q=civicrm/mailing/optout&reset=1&jid=153&qid=39207&h=dda107b6bc6ee0b6

Politics

Ont. Green Party: Back-room Collaboration Excluded Us From Televised Debate

Leave a comment

GREEN PARTY OF ONTARIO CALLS FOR DEMOCRACY IN PROVINCIAL LEADERS’DEBATE

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Green Party of Ontario Leader, Mike Schreiner, penned an open letter to Ontarians today. Despite public outcry, the Green Party of Ontario was excluded from the provincial leader’s debate.

“I would have welcomed the chance to go head to head with the other Leaders,” says Schreiner. “As a small business owner who grew up on a farm, I know first-hand how to create jobs and responsibly manage our financial and natural resources. Greens are tackling the tough issues with straight talk and sensible, long-term solutions that need to be heard in the debate.”

The Green Party is running a full slate of 107 candidates in every riding in the province in this election. The Green Platform, released before the other parties’, tackles the major challenges facing Ontario today, with a long-term perspective that secures our children’s future.

The Green Party is clearly part of a growing global political movement that has elected officials all over the world – including seats in Germany, Britain, Australia and most recently, in Canada at the federal level with the election of Elizabeth May earlier this year. The Greens in the German state of Baden-Württemberg also formed government earlier this year, a global first.

Irrespective of the consortium’s decision to exclude the Greens in tonight’s debate support has been gaining for their inclusion in this election:

* According to an Ipsos Reid poll released on Monday, September 26, three quarters of Ontarian’s agree that the Mike Schreiner should be included in this year’s Leaders’ Debate.

* People across the political spectrum support fair and inclusive debates – municipal councillors, community leaders and members of all parties have signed a grassroots campaign ‘Mike at the Mic [1]’, started by Dave Meslin, a Toronto community activist.
* TVO has recently announced that Green Party candidates will be included in all of their election debates. This decision was made democratically according to Steve Paiken, “…after seeking input from our production team, [we] realize that the Greens had fully developed, and in some cases, quite different positions from the three mainline parties on a host of other issues as well.”
* Dozens of organizations, including the City of Mississauga, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have asked for the Green Party’s position on a wide variety of issues.

“The other parties speak about issues that area carefully calculated to gain power,” said Schreiner. “They neglect the real issues facing Ontarians and someone needs to make them answer for that.”
————————-

AN OPEN LETTER TO ONTARIANS

Dear Neighbours,

Tonight (Sept 27, 2011 CP) , many of you will watch the only televised Leaders’ debate in this provincial election.

I would have welcomed the chance to go head to head with these professional politicians. But I am sorry to say that you won’t have a chance to hear from the Green Party during the debate.

Unfortunately, the decision to deny the Green Party a seat at the table for this debate was made by a few non-elected broadcasters meeting in a back-room in collaboration with the three old parties.

I know you were looking forward to hearing a voice that reflects your desire to fix politics as usual.

To make sure Ontario is leader in the twenty-first century global economy, we must make the connection between a healthy environment and a strong economy. We will lower payroll taxes on local businesses to make it cheaper and easier to create good local jobs and lower income taxes so your money can support our local economy. Our plan to put a price on carbon will create jobs, strengthen our economy, balance the budget and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.

We need smart planning that puts clean air, water, land and communities first – instead we have the Liberal’s fair-weather environmentalism where decisions about mega-quarries and gas-plants only come when it’s politically convenient.

The Conservatives want to pull us back into the last century with their energy plans that will kill green energy and borrow billions to build expensive, inflexible new nuclear.

All of the old parties have irresponsible plans that borrow money to subsidize the wasteful use of energy.

The Green Party of Ontario is the only party helping you to save money by saving energy. Our green energy plan starts with low cost solutions that prioritize energy efficiency and conservation. Our plan will create good local jobs across the province and reduce the amount of money the province must spend on new sources of energy.

We are the only party dedicated to making family farming a top priority in this province, so we can all enjoy fresh, affordable food on our tables, today, and in the future.

We are the only party calling for a smart, fair, equitable school board system with a plan to engage citizens in determining the best way forward.

These are tough issues that the Green Party would have raised in the debate. And while the other parties may be too afraid to give us a seat at the table, our voice will not be silenced, nor will it slow our growth. We have policies that will improve your life and our communities today, tomorrow and years from now.

We will continue to reach out to Ontarians face-to-face, as our 107 candidates continue to knock on countless doors to earn your trust, and your vote on Oct 6th. We will continue to listen to you and present solutions to the issues that matter to you.

In my travels across our great province, I have been awed and inspired to see the commitment and dedication of thousands of individuals – people just like you – making their communities a better place.

Please take a moment to check out our platform. It’s time for a better, more sustainable Ontario. It’s time to vote Green so we can work with you to fix politics as usual in Ontario.

Thank you,

Mike Schreiner
Leader of the Green Party of Ontario

Media Contact:

Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications Green Party of Ontario
(c) 905-999-5479
(e) rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca
Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Links:
——
[1] Silo Direct Link To Ontario Green Party Press Website
[2] rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca

Politics

A Need To Rethink Health Care

2 Comments

Amongst all the vital issues of provincial significance that get discussed at this time of year, there is no doubt that health care remains as the number one priority for people in Ontario.

Unfortunately, while health sector spending accounts for about 46 cents of every tax dollar allocated, the size and scope of our health system obscures the most important person: the patient.

All too often, care in Ontario is structured around forms, processes, long lines, and bureaucracy, when it should be built from the patient out.

Over the past eight years, money that should have gone to nurses, emergency rooms, and frontline patient care was instead diverted to salaries and expenses for fancy health care consultants. The lessons learned from the billion dollar e-health boondoggle should not be forgotten.

As Ontario’s Opposition we have watched too long as we pay more and get less in health care services. It’s time for patient-centred reforms that make the patient – not bureaucracies, not administrators – the focus of our health care system.

Tim Hudak has announced plans to grow our investments in health, while instilling the patient centred focus we deserve.

Specifically, we will increase annual investments in health-care by $6.1 billion by the end our first term. At the same time we will introduce a rigorous system of patient satisfaction and health outcome measures including the establishment of wait time guarantees for emergency room visits.

To accomplish our goals we will need to take aim at eliminating fraud and waste in health care and reducing administration.

The Ontario PC plan will target the costly health bureaucracies that take money from direct patient care. We will put a stop to scandals like eHealth and limit health care dollars towards ever-expanding salaries for administrators.

For example, the LHINs are unelected, unaccountable, faceless bureaucracies that the Dalton McGuinty Liberals hide behind whenever there are beds to close, emergency rooms to shut, or nurses to lay off. To date, $300 million health care dollars have been diverted from frontline care to pay for salaries and administration. We will close the LHINs and redirect those dollars to patients.

We continue to advocate bringing more doctors to communities that need them. We will do this by encouraging doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work collaboratively. We will increase residency placements for medical students from Ontario who have training outside Canada and want to return home to practice. Locally, the excitement surrounding plans for a new Port Dover Health Centre – ideally building on the success of the Delhi Community Health Centre – will go a long way to attracting and retaining physicians and other health professionals.

Our plan also includes improvements in health care for Ontario seniors with 40,000 long-term care beds – 5,000 new and 35,000 upgraded. And we will give homecare users more dignity, more flexibility and more say in determining where they acquire these important services.

For all we pay in taxes, we should receive the highest quality services in the country. In many cases, it’s not about more money but rather about rethinking and revitalizing the way our services work. We will work to ensure we receive the world class health care services we deserve.

Politics

Ontario Green Party: Concerned Only 7000 Ont. Farmers Under 35 Yrs

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Green Party Food and Farming Strategy: Better Food, Better Jobs, Better Ontario

Toronto, Ontario – The old parties at Queen’s Park have failed to promote and protect Ontario Farmers. Only the Green Party has championed this issue, calling for an Ontrario Food and Farming Strategy.

“Ontario needs real change at Queen’s Park. The empty rhetoric of the other parties has only led to fewer local farmers and the closure of local food processors,” said Schreiner. “Only a Green MPP will raise this important issue to ensure all Ontarians have access to healthy local food. We will push for accountability and demand
action.”

The Green Party of Ontario is committed to making a healthy food and farming system a provincial priority. The Green Party’s Ontario Food and Farming Strategy supports Ontario farmers, while providing all citizens access to healthy local food within a framework of sustainable, local agriculture.

“Ontario has only 7,000 farmers under the age of 35,” added Schreiner. “Without action on this issue today, Ontario’s food system will crumble.”

It’s time to strengthen our food system so that Ontario can feed itself and others.

The Green Party’s Ontario Food and Farming strategy includes:

* Investing $200 million over four years for a comprehensive healthy school food program.
* Supporting Buy Local campaigns and set targets for government institutions.
* Setting a standard for purchasing forty percent Ontario food for all public institutions.
* Investing $100 million over four years to reward farmers for stewardship practices which provide environmental and societal benefits.
* Establishing an Ontario Food and Farming Policy Council to coordinate planning across ministries and consult diverse stakeholders.
* Investing in rural infrastructure, research and innovation, bio-based product manufacturing, distribution hubs, farmer co-ops, organic and specialty crops.
* Cutting red tape for family farms and local food processors; implement smart regulations that recognize differences in the size of operations.
* Eliminating tax penalties and reduce zoning restrictions to facilitate local, on-farm food enterprises and innovative sources of farm income.
* Improving income stabilization programs so they are more ccessible for family farms, cover a wider range of products and don’t penalize farmers who experience bad years.

For more details on the Green Party’s commitment to supporting farming in Ontario,visit:
Silo Direct Link To Green Party of Ontario Press Site

Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications
Green Party of Ontario
905-999-5479
rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca
Rebecca Harrison Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Links:
——
[1] Silo Direct Link to Green Party of Ontario Site
[2] rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca

Politics

Ont. Liberals Pledge To End Great Lakes Runoff – Improve Beaches

1 Comment

For immediate release

STRENGTHENING PROTECTION FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT
Ontario Liberal Plan Introduces Next Chapter To Keep Our Water Clean

TORONTO – Only Ontario Liberals will protect our air, land and water, Children and Youth Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues Laurel Broten announced today.

“Ontario families care deeply about the safety of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we grow,” Broten said. “Today we’re taking the next step in our Ontario Liberal Plan to safeguard our environment for our children and our grandchildren.”

Ontario Liberals will defend Ontario’s precious water resources for future generations with a Great Lakes Protection Act that will be the next chapter in clean water for Ontario. It will also ensure that Ontario keeps its edge as a world leader in clean-water protection.

It’s a $52 million program that will help:
*Clean up the pollution hot spots identified by scientists, targeting Nipigon Bay, and Peninsula Harbour on Lake Superior, Detroit River, Niagara River, and the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario as the next priorities.
*Better prevent pollution and runoff such as phosphorous from getting into the Great Lakes by working more closely with our regional partners.
*Reconnect Ontarians with the Great Lakes in their communities, by promoting recreational opportunities, improving beaches and supporting community programs.

“Ontario Liberals have been one of the most environmentally progressive and successful governments in North America,” Broten said. “We’re proud today to continue building on our strong record of environmental protection.”

Since 2003, Ontario Liberals have reduced coal-fired electricity by more than 90 per cent – the equivalent of taking 7 million cars off the road. We have reduced pesticides in our waterways by 80 per cent and permanently protected a combined area of greenspace the size of Great Britain. We are also North American leaders for drinking water standards, endangered species legislation and pollution laws.

Under the last PC government, water inspectors were fired and Ontario earned a reputation as one of the worst places in North America for environmental protection. The Hudak PCs would take us backwards – their $14 billion hole would mean deep cuts to environmental protection. The Horwath NDP has turned its back on the environment.
– their priority would be to subsidize gas-guzzlers and they have consistently failed to support our progressive environmental initiatives like the Endangered Species Act, the Far North Act and the cosmetic pesticides ban.

“Protecting our environment is a responsibility we bear towards the next generation,” Broten said. “We – and our children and grandchildren – need the strong, steady environmental stewardship that only Dalton McGuinty can provide as we protect our environment by moving forward, together.”

For further information –
Ontario Liberal Party Media Office:
416 961-3800 ext. 328

Politics

Ont. Greens Plan – Expanding Combined Heat And Power Projects

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London, Ontario–Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner announced the party’s plan to expand combined heat and power (CHP) targets to conserve energy and establish a more efficient power system in Ontario.

“Eliminating waste is essential to increasing efficiency and reducing utility bills,” said Schreiner. “Most large buildings and factories in Ontario use natural gas to provide heat. Instead of allowing waste heat to escape unused, why not use these same molecules to provide two services: heat and electricity?”

CHP plants have an overall energy efficiency of 80-90%, an improvement on the 33% efficiency of a standard nuclear reactor. Because of their very high efficiency, CHP plants provide an affordable and flexible source of base load power. “CHP can be implemented at factories, schools, hospitals, malls and large commercial buildings,” added Schreiner. “Plus CHP has the added bonus of providing secure backup power in case of power outages. Given the efficiency gains and affordability of electricity generated by CHP, we believe the current generation target of an additional 500 MW from CHP is far too low.”

CHP can be and is often implemented as part of a district heating system that provides efficient low-cost heat to multiple buildings. Schreiner made the announcement in London, which is home to one of the longest-running district power systems in the province.

The Green Party energy plan includes:

* Increasing electrical generation targets and capacity factors for Combined Heat and Power.
* Prioritizing grid access for affordable Combined Heat and Power projects.
* Supporting the development of efficient district heating and clean energy recovery projects, which includes amending the Ontario Energy Board Act to allow Ontario’s electric and gas utilities to invest in district energy projects.

Media Contact: Rebecca Harrison Director of Communications Green Party of Ontario (c) 905-999-5479
rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca

Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Politics

Green Party Leader Schreiner:Our Plan To Create 20,000 Jobs

Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Schreiner announces Green Building Program to create 20,000 good local jobs and reduce energy bills

Guelph, Ontario – Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner announced the Green Party’s plan for a Green Building Program today. A Green Building program will reduce energy bills and create thousands of jobs in the construction and trades sector in communities across the province.

“Only the Green Party will deliver sensible, long-term solutions that create jobs and save us money by saving energy,” said Schreiner. “We will not borrow money, like the old parties, to offer short term subsidies that mostly benefit the biggest energy users.”

The Green Building plan would provide $1.6 B in refundable tax credits for homeowners, tenants and businesses over 4 years to invest in energy efficiency and building retrofits.

“When we decrease our consumption we provide real relief to rising energy costs for all Ontarians,” added energy entrepreneur and Guelph Green Party candidate Steve Dyck who’s own retrofits have helped him invest in his local economy and save money. “Eliminating waste and increasing efficiency will make our province more competitive.”

The Green Building Program would create an estimated 20,000 jobs across the province, according to estimates by Robert Pollin Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Heidi Garrett-Peltier PERI Research Fellow entitled Building the Green Economy: Employment Effects of Green Energy Investments for Ontario.

“These investments will create green jobs in communities across Ontario,” added Schreiner, “This is something that cannot be achieved with the short term energy subsidies offered by the other parties.”

Ontario is home to numerous businesses that focus on energy efficiency and conservation products and retrofits.

“The kind of Green Building Program that the Ontario Green Party is proposing will create more jobs, have a positive impact on the environment and take Ontario’s economy into the 21st century,” says Stephen Carpenter President of Enermodal Engineering of Kitchener.

The Green Building Program will:

* Provide $800 million in refundable tax credits for home owners and tenants over four years for investments in energy efficiency and building retrofits. This will include an Electric Hot Water Conservation Program for conversion of electric hot water heaters to solar thermal.

* Provide $800 million in refundable business tax credits over four years for businesses to invest in energy efficiency and building retrofits, making our businesses more efficient and competitive.

* Strengthen energy efficiency standards to ensure new buildings use less energy for heating and cooling by revising the Ontario Building Code.

* Set a minimum EnerGuide Rating of 86 for all new buildings by 2013 and ensure all new homes and buildings are solar-ready so owners have the option of easy and affordable installation of future solar investments.

* Develop a long-term strategic plan to move our homes and buildings towards Zero Net Energy, with a time table to raise Ontario’s minimum legally-binding energy efficiency standards for new homes, buildings, appliances and equipment to help reduce our energy bills.

* Make it easier for Ontarians to obtain information and advice on energy efficiency, conservation and building retrofits.

* Require home energy efficiency audits and make the results available to potential home buyers and renters so people can make informed choices regarding the operating costs of their homes and apartments.

* Work with the banking sector to design a provincial program that facilitates “energy saver” mortgages and loans at preferential rates for homeowners investing in energy efficient retrofits.

* Develop an Ontario wide framework for a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program, as an innovative local government solution to help property owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements – such as energy efficient boilers, upgraded insulation, new windows, solar installations, etc. – to their homes and businesses.

Press Conference Information:

9:30am Press Conference – Guelph

Mike Schreiner will join Guelph candidate Steve Dyck in making an important announcement about energy savings.
Location: 39 Hearn Ave. Guelph, ON

12:00pm Press Conference – Kitchener

Mike Schreiner announces Green Building Program in Kitchener. Steve Carpenter from Enermodal will attend.
Location: Enermodal, 582 Lancaster St. West, Kitchener, ON

 

Media Contact:
Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications
Green Party of Ontario
(c) 905-999-5479
(e) rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Politics

Discussing The Inclusion Of The Green Party of Ontario In Ontario Leader’s Debate

Leave a comment

Green Party of Ontario (GPO) Leader Mike Schreiner will be joined by Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May to discuss the inclusion of the Green Party of Ontario in the upcoming Leaders’ Debate and the difference one Green MPP can make at Queen’s Park. Both Green Leaders will be available for comment.

WHO: Mike Schreiner, Elizabeth May

WHEN: Friday September 9, 2011

TIME: 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Queen’s Park Media Studio

CONTACT:
Rebecca Harrison
Director of Communications
Green Party of Ontario
(c) 905-999-5479 [1]
(e) rebeccaharrison@gpo.ca

Sent from Green Party of Ontario
PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Politics

Strenghtening Human Rights In Ontario

Leave a comment

McGuinty Government Announces Appointment

Ontario is taking the next step to strengthen the Human Rights System to provide faster, more accessible justice for those who have faced discrimination, and to ensure better protection of the human rights Ontarians cherish.

Andrew Pinto has been appointed to conduct a review of the implementation and effectiveness of changes resulting from amendments to the Human Rights Code that came into effect on June 30, 2008.

Mr. Pinto of Pinto Wray James LLP is a prominent human rights and employment lawyer. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto where he teaches administrative law with a focus on tribunals, agencies, boards and commissions. He is also past chair of the administrative law section of the Ontario Bar Association, and past chair of the equity advisory group of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Public consultations will be held. This review is expected to be complete by spring 2012. For updates on the status, please visit: Human Rights Review

QUICK FACTS

In June 2008, the Ontario Human Rights system was reformed to include:

  • The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to offer direct, early access to additional adjudicators with the expertise to fairly resolve discrimination claims.
  • The new Human Rights Legal Support      Centre’s team of lawyers and paralegals provides free assistance throughout Ontario to people who believe they may have faced discrimination.
  • The Ontario Human Rights Commission to address the underlying causes of discrimination with a strengthened capacity for public education, policy development, research and monitoring.
  • A commitment to conduct a review of the new system’s progress after an initial three-year period.
  • Under the new system, parties have direct access to expert adjudicators and more claims are settled before an application needs to be filed at the Tribunal.

LEARN MORE

Terms of Reference

Find out more about human rights in Ontario.

 

Li Koo, Minister’s Office, 416-326-3266

Brendan Crawley, Communications Branch,

416-326-2210

ontario.ca/attorneygeneral-news

Disponible en français

 

Politics

Ontario Gov’t Calls For New Health Care Deal

1 Comment

Ontario Calls For New Long-Term Deal On Health Care

McGuinty
Government Committed to Helping Families

Ontario is calling on the federal government to work with the provinces to deliver a new long-term deal on health care.

 

That’s the message Premier Dalton McGuinty delivered today during a speech to the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.

 

Ontario welcomes Ottawa’s recent commitment to 6 per cent increases in health transfers, but Ontario is also seeking a long-term commitment from the federal government — who pay only 23 per cent of Ontario’s health costs.

 

Further health care reforms are needed to meet the needs of Ontario’s rapidly aging population. A new long-term deal should focus on giving seniors more options in their homes and communities.

 

Ontario has made significant progress in health care. This is in part because the current health accord invested in strategic reforms such as wait times and access to care. In fact, Ontario is now a national leader in reducing wait times and 94 per cent of Ontarians have a family doctor.

 

QUOTES

 

“Ontario is moving forward with improvements to our health care system. We can do even more with a strong federal partner. The renewal of long-term funding for health care will be the most important issue facing our governments in the coming years.”

— DaltonMcGuinty, Premier of Ontario

 

QUICK FACTS

 

  • The current 10-year federal health agreement expires in 2014.
  • In the next 10 years, 1.6 million Ontarians will turn 65, the traditional retirement age — that’s twice as many people as between 1981 and 1991.
  • According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, seniors account for 14 per cent of the population but 44 per cent of health care spending.
  • The Fraser Institute’s 20th annual waiting list survey found Ontario had the shortest wait times for surgical and other therapeutic treatments.
  • The 2011 Wait Times Alliance report showed that Ontario had the shortest total wait times in Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

LEARN MORE

 

Here’s a check-up on our health care system.

 

Ontario seniors are successfully receiving care at home now.

 

 

 

Premier’s Media
Office: 416-314-8975

 

ontario.ca/premier-news

Disponible
en français

Culture

A Dollar For Compressed Air – Are You Getting Gouged?

Leave a comment

The Silo does a lot of travelling and we take notice of the highs and the lows that go along with working in parts of four counties.  Some standouts are the comparative condition of the roads, the comparative prices of gasoline and diesel and one thing that surprised us: the rising cost of compressed air and the variations in the amount of time you get for the compressed air.

But why do we notice these things?

You see, we live in a wonderfully exotic environment. In just a few months time, air temperatures can vary between -20 degrees C to + 25 degrees C and this temperature jump combined with a (seemingly) growing number of potholes means checking your vehicles tire condition and pressure is a must. If you want to drive safely and economically and comfortably.

And that’s the rub

The vast majority of service stations are no longer Ma and Pa operations that cater to the automobile enthusiast. Sure they have candy and coffee and DVD’s and scratch lottery tickets. But what about putting the word ‘service’ back into service station? None of us on staff are old enough to remember a time when pulling your car into a gas station meant at a minimum a check under the hood. None of us are old enough to contemplate a time when your car was jacked up and inspected like a ship in dry dock. But all of us are aware of the rising cost of not only fuel but compressed air.

As we make our way around the different county lines and roads, our vehicles are taking a toll. On average, the roads are spotty and checking tire pressure has become a bit of an obsession. [If any of you are driving a vehicle with Nitrogen or another gas in your tires, please let us know if you’ve noticed a difference]

We are shocked by the rising costs of air pumps. The average cost of filling your tires is now 1$. The fill rates vary between pump manufacturers and it’s plausible that station owners may adjusting the length of time that 1$ will buy. We will report back our findings.  In the meantime- visit Burcham’s Service on Main St. in Port Dover for FULL service gas [sorry no diesel] and FREE compressed air. Pay attention to the warning sign above the air pump- this is a high pressure nozzle but when used properly, does a great job of filling your tires at no cost.  CP

 

Culture, Earth

Ancient Stones Being Discovered

Leave a comment
An artifact recovered near Port Dover, ON

Generations of Haldimand and Norfolk citizens have found and collected stone artifacts from their lands. Artifacts were kept out of intrigue and interest and often displayed prominently within homes. Some were valued as family heirlooms, others placed in boxes and kept packed away on a shelf. This is where I enter the story. My name is Lorenz Bruechert and I am an archaeologist.

Not long ago a land owner told me that artifacts had been collected from his family property over many, many years. I was invited to make an examination because the owner knew they might be important to my regional archaeological study (www.haldimandarchresearchproject.com). There still was a little hesitation, primarily out of concern that I might confiscate the artifacts. But that is not what I do. My interest in private collections from prehistoric times is based in public outreach and education.

I was able to provide the owner with a time period of the artifacts, the type of rock used in their manufacture, and their origins. You see, I believe it is important to foster trust and to empower landowners with information, thereby ensuring their collections are valued, respected and hopefully made available for scientific study.

Private collections reflect the richness of our homelands and confirm the reality of past human occupation. Trying to make sense of who primitive occupants were and how they lived is helped immensely by studying the ages and quantities of found artifacts. Artifacts date from within historic periods to as far back as when glaciers still existed in Southern Ontario. In fact, many land owners are surprised to learn that their collections are much older than a few hundred years.

At least 80% of human history is represented by stone artifacts. The rock used is generally a sedimentary variety containing silica. The more silica a rock has, the easier it is to break apart. The geological name for the type of stone used in most tool manufacture is chert or flint. Chert formations date as far back as the age of the dinosaurs. They were scoured and scraped by the movement of glaciers and carried along until the glacier melted. What this means is that an artifact found in Haldimand or Norfolk may have originated thousands of kilometers away!

In Southern Ontario, stone tool artifacts have been recovered and dated within several different main time periods. Each period shows variations thought to reflect climate changes that made an impact on animal and plant species. As species changed or disappeared, new types of stone tools were manufactured to keep up with these transitions. Dating artifacts, therefore, helps to identify migrations of different people groups across our counties’ deep past.

Most landowners truly enjoy having their artifacts interpreted. Their private collections remain intact and local people become, in a sense, guardians of local history. If a family is not interested in acting as stewards, I always encourage them to donate their pieces to a local museum, to ensure that the artifacts remain in the community.

Lorenz Bruechert will return soon for another installment of local archaeology. You can contact Lorenz at hnarproject@gmail.com.

Earth

Southern Ontario Four Hundred Billion Years Ago

1 Comment
Phacops rana roughly translates to “frog eyes”

Picture yourself swimming in the shallows of Lake Erie over 400 million years ago. You might come up with all kinds of ideas of what primitive life was like. Some might imagine archaic sharks and bony, lobe-finned fish, but I bet very few would conjure up Phacops Rana.

Great Eyesight

This specialized trilobite can be found throughout Norfolk County in shale deposits and occasionally on our beaches, embedded in fossilized chunks of coral. One member of The Silo team discovered a beautiful specimen preserved this way, but it takes a keen eye to recognize them. That’s because the only way to find them is to identify the one feature of Phacops Rana that is its namesake: phacopid eyes. You see, this trilobite had two large eyes that were full of round, swiveling lenses, giving the creature an advantage when it came to escaping predators.

Earth

Cultural Artifacts Complicate Plans For Any Construction

4 Comments
Flaking and percussion bulbs point towards human manufacture

This stone shows signs of ancient human manufacture. Percussive bulbs result from being hammered and chipped, and facial flaking along the sides are strong indicators. It was retrieved in April 2010 from the then drained shoreline of Silver Lake millpond in Port Dover, Ontario. In the vicinity of the stone were animal bones and glacial till.

According to Ontario’s Heritage Act– municipalities must

  • Provide clear standards and guidelines for the preservation of provincial heritage properties.
  • Enhance protection of heritage conservation districts, marine heritage sites and archaeological resources.

Even when cultural artifacts are not immediately discovered, a cultural assessment must take place to establish any archaeological remains. The Cayuga Bridge construction project was delayed due to this requirement.

Reviews

Moon

Leave a comment
Art imitates rural life.

If you’re like me and grew up on a rich diet of 1980’s science fiction films, you should walk (no make that moonwalk) to your nearest video store and ask for MOON. This little gem is an existential journey into the mind of a lonely farmer-astronaut and hits close to home. Sure there’s the usual high contrast and gritty sci-fi production values, but there are also some poignant connections to our rural habitat. Picture a massive, rambling, white combine harvester gathering hay under a full, late fall moon, except that in this case the moon is the earth. A tiny, lonely man is hunched over the controls in an elevated and sealed cockpit. Now remove all semblance of colour, add a few craters and hills, and you get part of what makes this film so familiar and, dare I say, rural.

Growing up here as a boy I imagined that the once plentiful silos and drive-sheds in Norfolk (especially the aluminum ones) were rocket platforms and moon bases. Even the large, four wheeled crop sprayers had a space age look to them. And that is why I felt especially connected to Duncan Jones’ incredibly moving MOON. It pulled me in and felt familiar.

If I had to bet the farm I’d say the production designer looked at both farms and farm machinery while working out the aesthetics of this movie. But more than that, the story pulls at your heartstrings.

Sam (played by the remarkably versatile Sam Rockwell in a breakthrough role) is a lonely astronaut working on the moon, farming the soil for energy until he begins to suffer from extreme isolation- complete with lucid dreams and hallucinations. What follows next is one of the finest surprise plot twists in contemporary cinema.

Satisfying space fiction from son of iconic rocker David Bowie. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.