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March 5, 2002
OPSEU report on MOE hits media
A report from OPSEU's Strategic Planning and Policy Development unit given to senior MOE managers last week got some media attention.
A Toronto Star article focused on the temporary and insufficient resources given to MOE by Management Board and fears that they will "melt away" once public scrutiny is diverted.
Why not print up the article and post it on a notice board?
To view the Toronto Star article: http://www.opseu.org/walkerton/quickfix.htm
To read the report: http://www.opseu.org/walkerton/ChallengeofOConnorReport.pdf
To tell us how protection of the environment has been affected by temporary and insufficient resources, e-mail tparkin@opseu.org. All information is confidential.
Clement: Inquiry said Walkerton deaths were inevitable
In a recent interview by the Ottawa Citizen, Tony Clement has told the Ottawa Citizens' Editorial Board that the Report found "even if certain things were done differently, the likely result would have been the same."
Minister Clement needs to do some reading. Mr. Justice O'Connor's Part One report found that:
- The installation of continuous chlorine monitors "would have prevented the outbreak" that killed seven and made 2,400 ill (p. 297)
- "The failure to install continuous chlorine monitors at Well 5 resulted from shortcomings of the MOE" inspection and approvals programs (p. 23)
- Budget cuts made it "less likely" that the need for monitors would be detected (p. 319)
http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/archives/story.asp?id=D435F109-E08D-4122-AD55-8A2131D0F60F
Health Ministry tried to cut water funds from public health units: NDP
On Thursday, February 28, NDP Leader Howard Hampton revealed that several months after the Walkerton crisis the Ministry of Health revoked funding given to public health units intended to ensure safe drinking water.
"After the cameras were turned out, after the news media went home, the province said testing drinking water isn't important at all, send the money back," Hampton told a new conference.
Within hours of Hampton's press conference, Minister of Health Tony Clement issued a press release stating that "when this came to my attention, I immediately instructed my ministry to ensure that public health units will maintain 100 per cent" of the funding.
http://toronto.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=water_feb2802
Original authorized by Leah Casselman, president
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