March 2011
Well constituents, another month with health care as your #1 priority. Without a doubt you want the government to call an independent judicial review. You want the opportunity for the doctors and other health care professionals to feel free to speak out without retribution or job loss. You want the government to get to the bottom of the matter and provide those findings to the public. As the health critic I will continue to pressure the government as per your clear direction. It is important we get the answers, fix the problems occurring in the system and move on.
Secondly was education and the recently released budget on the funding. The dollars provided or as you say “lack of” has put incredible pressure on our local school boards to make some very difficult decisions on where to cut. I met with trustee Carol Bazinet of CBE and she has shared with me some of the grants that have been reduced or eliminated.
Grade 4 to 6 class size has been eliminated.
Enhanced ESL, eliminated.
These are just two that are shocking to me and of course the possible layoff of teachers. I have said publicly that the government could do cuts in other areas without affecting students, teachers and parents. Our future lies in how our children are educated and we need to support them as they are our precious commodity.
We are still receiving emails on the petition to “Save Glenmore Park” and we are keeping track of all we receive.
Lastly, I want to thank you for participating in my recent phone survey. Annoying as it is it provides me with your priorities and what you want me to push the government on. The results of the phone stats are:
| Issue | % |
| Health Care | 54.9 |
| Education | 8.5 |
| Seniors | 10.8 |
| Economy | 8.6 |
| Children & Families | 4.0 |
| Paying down the Debt | 4.9 |
| Infrastructure | 3.6 |
| Safer Communities | 2.1 |
| Environment | 2.6 |
We will once again be hiring a STEP student for the summer. I’ve done this every year since I was elected and I don’t know who learns more, the STEP student or me. The student we hire provides us with their thoughts and views on their future. Many of our previous students keep in touch and it is amazing to watch them grow, graduate, start working, marry and have families of their own.
Again a big thanks to all those who participated in the phone survey, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. As always I look forward to hearing from you and I will be out door-knocking once I’m out of session.
Take care!