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Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012
yorkregion.com
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York could gain 3 federal ridings Have your say
Proposed changes would split Aurora between 2 districts
4You can provide feedback on the proposed changes online at federal-redistribution.ca 4Public hearings on the proposed boundaries take place at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites in Richmond Hill Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. and Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. 4You can also weigh in through our poll at yorkregion.com
By L.H. Tiffany Hsieh
thsieh@yrmg.com
York Region could be better represented in Ottawa with three additional members of Parliament proposed this week. However, some critics are concerned with the cost of adding 30 MPs across the country and the mix of rural and urban areas within ridings. Markham-Unionville Liberal MP John McCallum praised the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario for doing a good job redistributing the ridings to reflect the shifting and increasing population. “What they’ve done doesn’t strike me as unreasonable,” Mr. McCallum said. “My preliminary reaction is I’m not complaining.” Ontario will gain 15 electoral districts as a result of population growth. Alberta and British Columbia will each get six more and Quebec, three. Every riding in York Region will be affected by the shifting boundaries. Four of the region’s seven existing ridings — York-Simcoe, Newmarket-Aurora, Richmond Hill and Markham-Unionville — will keep the same names, but have different boundaries. The other six ridings proposed are Markham, Markham-Stouffville, Oak Ridges, Vaughan-Thornhill, Vaughan-Woodbridge and Aurora-Richmond Hill. The Markham-Unionville riding will stretch north of 19th Avenue and lose part
of south and southeast Markham to the proposed Markham and Markham-Stouffville ridings. These changes are “fairly neutral”, Mr. McCallum said. However, he suggested the rejigging could be done without increasing the current 308 MPs by taking seats from some slower-growing provinces and moving them to provinces experiencing faster growth. “Let’s do it in a way that does not impact the taxpayers,” Mr. McCallum said, pointing out each MP is estimated to cost taxpayers about $600,000, including salaries, office and travel budgets. “The idea is to preserve the community as the foundation of our ridings,” he said. “I’m being cautious because there’s a domino effect, but it’s good for York Region.” Under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, the commission’s main aim in See CONSERVATIVE, page A10.
U n i o n s r a lly a g a i n s t p r o p o s e d l e g i s l a t i o n STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE
Teachers drop strike vote plans By Teresa Latchford
tlatchford@yrmg.com
STAFF PHOTO/NICK PERRY
York Region teacher Laurie Provenzano waves a flag during a protest against the provincial Liberals’ move to enforce contract terms through legislation at Queen’s Park Tuesday.
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Bill Jenkins BROKER OF RECORD
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The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation will forgo strike votes in all bargaining units in Ontario, except those in which school boards are seeking conciliation. The strike votes were planned as part of the regular negotiation process, not due to a breakdown in local bargaining, York Region District 16 federation president Colleen Ireland said. “We have said all along that we had not planned job action and that staff would be in schools as expected on the first day,” she added. Local units, including York Region, continue to negotiate in local bargaining to achieve collective agreements to be ratified locally, provincial federation president Ken Coran explained. Since the units are making progress with school boards, the strike vote is no longer needed. Many developments related to bargaining have come about since the federation announced strike votes at the end of June and members are adjusting their actions according to the progress. “The start of the school year is not in jeopardy,” Mr. Coran said. Teachers rallied at Queen’s Park Tuesday to encourage Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals to withdraw proposed legislation that removes workers’ bargaining rights and, instead, allow local bargaining to continue.
Cardinal Golf Club’s Steve Courneyea takes a shot out of greenside bunker yesterday. Golfers will get an extended season if the forecast of warm fall weather is accurate.
Warm weather keeps rolling Experts predict more warmer-than-average months ahead
‘That’s 17 months in a row that are warmer than normal. We’re on a roll here.’ Dave Phillips
By Simon Martin
Environment Canada senior climatologist on the recent trend of warm weather
smartin@yrmg.com
There’s no reason for you to wave goodbye to the balmy temperatures that have blessed us all summer, just yet. The above-average temperatures will continue into fall, which could put into question the tried and true fashion rule of no white after Labour Day, according to weather experts. “If your muscle shirts and tank tops are off-white, go for it,” Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips said. September will get off to a scorching start, with temperatures pushing the low 30s on the weekend, Mr. Phillips said. He’s predicting temperatures in September, October and November will be above average in York Region, which would add to a record streak. Since March 2011, every month has seen above-average temperatures. “That’s 17 months in a row that are warmer than normal,” Mr. Phillips said. “We’re on a roll here.” Temperatures in the fall should continue to be a few degrees above normal, Weather Network meteorologist Dayna Vettese agreed, noting Labour Day weekend will be nice and hot.
“I wouldn’t pack away the T-shirts or shorts,” she said, adding it will get cool at night, so sweaters and pants may be necessary. Looking back at the summer and the intense sun, Ms Vettese said York Region was lucky to twin record high temperatures with significant rainfall. “The heat of the summer was relentless. It started early and didn’t go away,” Mr. Phillips said. The average temperature from May through August was 20.1 C, which is the highest average record for the region, according to Mr. Phillips. The previous highs were in 2010 and 1991. There have been 26 days during which temperatures have broken 30 C and Mr. Phillips expects a few more days to be added to that tally. What’s remarkable for the area is while Niagara and southern Ontario were stricken with drought-like conditions, York Region received above average rainfall. The readSee WINTER, page A11.
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