Tay Township Report-for August 7th

MPP DUNLOP:

As we approach the half way point of the summer of 2008, I want to update the readers of the Tay Township Report on some of the activities that I have been involved in.

 To begin with, I would like to thank all of those who participated in my 8th Annual Constituency Barbecue held at the Coldwater Curling Club on July 12. Over 400 people attended the event and were treated to good food and entertainment. Thank you so much to the Dave Warren Band, the Simcoe County Cloggers and the Huronia Harmonizers who provided the entertainment.

From July 14-16, I attended the Midwestern Legislators Conference in South Dakota. The Province of Ontario is a member of this organization, along with Manitoba and Saskatchewan and I was asked to attend as the Progressive Conservative representative. The conference touched on key issues such as private-public health care, mandatory retirement, aging at home, transportation and fuel costs. It was interesting to note the key differences between our systems in Canadian provinces and the Midwest American states.

On July 21-25, as Critic and lead for Bill 50, An Act to amend the OSPCA Act, I participated in the Standing Committee on Justice Policy Hearings. The hearings were held at Queen’s Park, London and Ottawa. Bill 50 was originally hailed as a bill to regulate small roadside zoos. All publicity and photo-ops around Bill 50 promoted the regulating of roadside zoos. In fact, when we actually had the opportunity to review Bill 50 the word “zoo” was not even mentioned in the bill. What we have now and what we heard at the hearings is that Bill 50 is an all encompassing bill that is badly flawed. If the bill is passed in its present form by the current majority government, then there will be many upset stakeholders in communities across our province. On August 18, we will be meeting to discuss the Bill, Clause by Clause at Queen’s Park. This is the opportunity when amendments made by all three political parties will be voted on. After Bill 50 is amended, we will begin 3rd Reading later on in the fall.

I also want to add that a key priority of mine, the development and reconstruction of Highway 12, between County Road 23 and Prices Corners is proceeding along quite well.
Although I realize that road construction is always inconvenient to those travelling, I do hope that you understand that this 22 million dollar project will make Highway 12 a safer and easier road to travel. The road construction project was awarded to Beamish Construction of King City who has pits and properties throughout North Simcoe.

Finally I want to thank all those who are so kind to Jane and me as we attend an average of twenty events per week in Simcoe North. It is a pleasure to serve this riding particularly when we visit such diverse communities and organizations during the beautiful summer months.