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Disposition of the Resolutions By Anne Dyas I In response to the resolutions from the St. Pauls WI. Perth South District. re- ported in the Fall 2000 Home d: Country. the following can be reported: From the Minister of Transport David Tumbull: "Last fall I announced a comprehensive Action Plan for Safer Roads in Ontario.“ Initiatives in the plan include a campaign to promote safe driving habits through public education and the establishment of an Ontario Advisory Group on Safe Driving. This group is to examine the efâ€" fectiveness of current measures and identify further initiatives targeting agâ€" gressive driving and the promotion of safe driving practices. Specifics: Re: request for stiffer penalties and higher fines â€" “In August 1998. we signifiâ€" cantly increased the fines for running red lights and in September of that year legislation enabling municipalities to establish community safety zones (CSZ) was proclaimed into law dou- bling the fines for speeding and running red lights in a C52.“ Re: request for rest areas and wider paved shoulders â€" “ Rest areas are provided in conjunction with service centers on our freeway systems Currently there are 20 onâ€"highway servtce centers spaced ap- proximately every 80 kilometers along Highway 40] . which are open 24 hours a day. seven days a week. In addition. from May to October each year. I9 pic- nic/rest areas adjacent to the centers are also open." A recent freeway sign proâ€" gram indicates to drivers where specific offâ€"highway commercial estab» lishments providing food, fuel and accommodation are located. “Shoulders are generally installed on all 400 series highways There are, how ever. a few spot locations where it is not feasible to install shoulders due to bridge structures and land restrictions.“ 6 Home l Country, Spring 20” Re: request for helicopter patro! â€" “ Meth- ods involving helicopter patrols are the responsibility of the Hon. David Tsubouchi." From David Tsubouchi, Solicitor General: “Road safety and traffic enforcement are the priorities of the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The OPP is responsible for enforcing the Highway Trajj‘ic Act (HTA). The Ministry of Transponation (MTO) is responsible for determining and setting penalties" Mr. Tsubouchi also speaks ofthe Ontario Advisory Group on Safe Driving. “with a mandate to review issues similar to those mentioned in your resolution." He also said we were correct to send a copy to the Minister of Transportation. David Turnbull. OPP Commissioner Gwen M. Boniface advises: “Although air patrol has been used effectively in the past, the OPP currently uses a variety of enforcement techniques. such as laser speed measuring devices with interceptor cars and unmarked patrol cars to combat aggressive drivers. I am further advised that the OPP helicopter has pro- vided a unique support role in specific traffic enforcement initiatives." From Dalton McGuinty: “We share your concerns and your corre- spondence has been forwarded to our Policy and Research Staff." Beoverton WI Donates to Medical Centre I In response to the resolution from the Ivanhoe WI. Hastings North District. reported in the Fall 2000 Home Country. the following can be reportgbl From the Minister of the Environment, Dan Newman: A Permit To Take Water (Pl [W) is re. quired for those wishing to remove more than 50,000 litres per day from a Surface or ground water source. The application must be supported by a hydro geological report providing technical assessment of the maximum extent of influence to water lev- els and risk of detrimental environmental impacts due to the proposed water re- moval. “All P'T'I'W proposals are reviewed in great detail by technical expens in the Min- istry." Once a permit is granted. should any water supplies be interfered with. the per mit holders must restore those supplies to an equivalent of pieâ€"impacted water con- ditions. The Director who approves a P'I'I'W has the authority to reduce or halt water taking at any time if it is causing an environmental impact." “This province needs a comprehensive groundwater management strategy, called for repeatedly by both the Provincial Auditor and the Environmental Commis- sioner." From Dalton McGuinty: Anne Dyes is the FWIO Lobbying Coordinator. She can be reached at RR 3, Cochrane ON PDL 1C0. Phone: 705-272â€"688fi Fax: 705-272-3425 , As the/r mlllonnlum project, members a! the Beovertan Women’s Institute presented a cheque for $3000 to the Beavertan Medical Centre to help pay [are new ultra sound machlno. Summon WI mom- ‘ bars Mabel Anderson (centre left) and Cars Mlaras (centre rlght) are plcturod wlth Medl- cal Contra reprosentatlvos Rita Murdoch (far left) and Judy Dotemmnn-Easton (Ior rlght) cutting the ribbon 8' M0 dedlcatlon ceremony. Submitted by Margaret Hamlet. Baavonon WI. Ontario. Photo courtesy of tha Erode Citlz