PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 1 Week of Jan. 23, 2020 911 caller by Surjit Singh Flora and Alex reporting Gregory driver left in Code red as the cold Brampton NEWS Page 3 New EarlyON declares “healthcare program touts emergency” development supports NEWS Page 10 Auto leader selected as Brampton biz king BUSINESS Page 11 Brampton Councillor Martin Medeiros (centre‐left) speaks alongside fellow Councillors Charmaine Williams (left) and Jeff Bowman (right) after a delegation by Concerned Ontario Doctors regarding inadequate healthcare fund‐ Trout Stay ing at the city’s regular council meeting on Jan. 22, 2020. (PWN Staff) Care, not cuts, should be driving grant urgent healthcare funding, all doing our best to chip in, but at Hot Despite Brampton’s healthcare system, a ensure that the emergency depart- the end of the day, we need the coalition of doctors and residents ment at Brampton Civic Hospital province to step up." Winter told Brampton councilorsl receive an additional 850 beds and Bringing the motion forward was Wednesday. adequate inpatient services, and absolutely essential, because the The city’s ongoing battle for ensure that the hospital bed count city’s “hallway medicine” crisis and Storm provincial healthcare funding in is equivalent to the provincial av- overcrowding is constantly used as the face of rapid population growth erage per capita. an example of what health care and chronic underfunding led to "There's no frustration I hear crises look like nationally, said SPORTS Page 15 council approving a motion that more often in the city than people Singh. “Brampton deserves its fair declared a “healthcare emergency” telling me horror stories (about share and our residents deserve at its Wednesday meeting. Brampton hospitals),” said Mayor the basic right of having access to Caledon The motion, brought forward by Patrick Brown, addressing Dr.’s adequate health care.” Wards 9 & 10 city councillor Kulvinder Gill and Ashvinder Last month, councillors passed a Rings in New Harkirat Singh and unanimously Lamba, and local resident Sanjay resolution that recognized the ur- passed by council, states that the Madgal who spoke about the chal- gent needs of the city’s health care Decade at city declare an emergency for its lenges alleviating pressures on system, including major funding healthcare system, and that city local hospitals. gaps, long wait times, and hallway Winterfest staff liaise with from the federal “As physicians, you're powerful medicine. The resolution re- and provincial government and advocates. You see the front quested immediate action from all representatives from William lines.... your story, unfortunately, health care system providers. LIFESTYLE Page 19 Osler Health System (WOHS) to is common," said Brown. "We're Continued on Pg 4 PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 2 PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 3 Jan. 23, 2020 | PEEL WEEKLY NEWS | NEWS3 Suspect wanted in connection No first-term report cards due to strike, school board says with homicide found dead Students in Peel may Term One report cards cards by multiple school A suspect who was Rakeshbhai, who profession.” be out of luck when it for elementary students." boards, including Peel, wanted in connection media reports later re- Any residents with comes to getting their The strike also impacts Toronto and York Region with the death of his vealed had split up additional informa- first-term report cards, if Individual Education among others, Education ex-wife has been with Heeral last year. tion regarding the ongoing strikes are any- Plans (IEP). In their mes- Minister Stephen Lecce found dead in Rakeshbhai was case are asked to call thing to go by. sage to parents, the board said that union leaders The Peel District said that while IEPs will are risking student suc- Toronto, Peel Police later found dead by Peel Police at (905) School Board revealed be updated with goals cess and preventing par- revealed earlier this authorities on Jan. 17. 453-2121, ext. 3205. earlier this week that due and expectations, but are ents from seeing valuable week. In a statement, police to an ongoing work-to- currently unable to be information about their The suspect, 36 said they are rule campaign being con- provided to families. child's performance in year-old Rakeshbhai not pursuing ducted by the Elementary "We know how impor- class. Patel, was being the matter as a Teachers' Federation of tant progress reports are "It underscores our sought by police in re- criminal in- Ontario (ETFO), report to families and students, government's insistence lation to the death of vestigation. cards are unable to be is- and that marks, learning that teacher union lead- 28 year-old Heeral The board of sued for more than skills and teacher com- ers cancel these strikes Patel, his ex-wife, who directors at 100,000 elementary stu- ments are valued," said that are hurting our kids," was found dead on Villa Leonardo dents in the system. Peel District School said Lecce, "and it only Jan. 16 near the Fogal Gambin, the "While regular assess- Board director of educa- strengthens our belief Road and Nexus Av- nursing home ment practices continue, tion Peter Joshua Tues- that parents want our enue area, located by where Heeral this term, per job sanc- day. "At the same time, government to invest in the Etobicoke border. worked, also tions, elementary teach- report cards are not the front-line services, not in Peel Police’s Homi- said Friday ers are writing and sole, nor are they the compensation and other cide and Missing Per- that they were providing marks, but are most important records demands, for some of the not inputting them elec- of achievement data we highest-paid educators in sons Bureau ruled the “heartbroken tronically,” the board have for your child/teen. the country." death suspicious and by the tragic wrote in a statement They are simply one up- Look for additional began an investigation loss of a young Tuesday. “At this time, date on progress." coverage of the strike ac- into Heeral’s death. team member Heeral Patel, as seen we are unable to provide Responding to the deci- tion in upcoming editions A warrant was later who was com- in an undated image. parents/guardians with sion to not issue report of Peel Weekly News. issued for the arrest of mitted to her (Facebook) 911 caller reporting dangerous driver left in the cold by Surjit Singh Flora A Mississauga driver play any form of con- The voluntary adop- two days ago recom- Commission of Canada Ontario does not have who was worried some- trol. Gill later said that tion rules were also mending the Ontario prepared a report called legislation to govern the one would be killed by he had to chase the adopted by the NENA government that those Matters related to delivery of 9-1-1 service an erratic driver is upset speeding vehicle be- in 2006, stating that 90 who misuse 9-1-1 be Emergency 9-1-1, in or to provide secure that when he called cause he was convinced per cent of the 911 calls punished. which an elephant funding for it. emergency 911 for sup- that the driver could kill should be picked up by In Alberta and Nova drawing represented It is probably time for port, he was put on hold himself and others on the operator within ten Scotia, a wrongful 9-1-1 the various branches of the local, provincial, for six minutes. the road. seconds. caller can be fined telecommunications and federal govern- Sam Gill made the Upon calling 9-1-1, The concept of pick- $5,000 for a first-time services. The branches ments to consider the news last month when however, an operator ing up the phone within offender and a $10,000 included Public Safety responsibility of the he recorded a video of put him on hold for ten seconds is misused fine for a second-time Canada, Ambulance state and take steps to himself driving and more than six minutes. by many people. When offender. Services, Fire, Police, improve the 9-1-1 sys- filming a driver weaving During that time, the it comes to Peel Region, Following the death of Provincial Emergency tem. These steps should erratically in and out of driver of the other vehi- this area is well-known four people in two acci- Management, Rogers, include punishment for oncoming traffic on a cle is shown slipping in for false 9-1-1 calls dents last year, the Shaw, telephone com- the negligence, hiring busy road at night. and out of oncoming made for frivolous rea- Coroner's Jury in On- panies and local police the right amount of “9-1-1! Pick up!” Gill traffic while Gill honked son. tario ruled that the services. staff, and making the 9- can be heard yelling as his horn and yelled for Last year, a man provincial government According to a report 1-1 system the epitome films the other vehicle people to get out of the called 9-1-1 because a should create an inde- by the Telecommunica- of sophisticated tele- swerving around the way. restaurant put tomatoes pendent body that had tions Commission, the phone technology. road, mounting the This is not the only in his chicken sandwich the power to improve health of the “9-1-1 ele- Gill, after his experi- curb and hitting a case in Mississauga that that he didn't order. An- the 9-1-1 system and phant” is shown deteri- ence seeing dangerous snowbank so hard at has resulted in concerns other case involved a raise awareness about orating significantly. driving in Mississauga, one point that it took off over the usage of the woman who called the the emergency line in The reasons for its iss worried about what one of the vehicle’s emergency line and po- police to come and give public. poor health include a might happen to his headlights. tential misuse. In fact, her a ride, as she was The question also large gap in the public's family or any others if Gill, who spoke to the National Emergency late heading to work. arises as to why such expectations and the ac- there is another emer- media outlets last week, Numbers Association In 2017, Peel Region persons should not be tual reality of the 911 gency such as this one said he wasn’t sure if the (NENA), which regu- received 3,565,911 calls, jailed under the law for system, no standardized or any kind. driver was impaired or lates emergency phone out of which 313,000 "interfering with the set-up, no regular "We've lost our faith, in medical distress, but services in Canada, has bogus calls were logged. functioning of the po- source of funding, and and that's not a good realized the vehicle was not set standards that These figures point to lice". the absence of any fed- feeling," he told the CBC a danger to other mo- require the adoption of why Mississauga coun- A few years ago, the eral government over- earlier this month. torists and didn’t dis- emergency services. cil passed a resolution Telecommunications sight. PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 4 Jan. 23, 2020 | PEEL WEEKLY NEWS | NEWS4 STAY IN Mississauga budget brings 3.24% increase TOUCH A 3.24 per cent tax in- including the hiring of a tion of six new fire stations, The 2020 operating PEEL WEEKLY NEWS crease, a $1.6 million invest- planning and zoning exam- support for the city's cycling budget for the Stormwater 306 Lakeshore Rd. E., ment in 40km/h speed iner to manage demand, programs and redevelop- Program was also approved, Lower Level limits for residential areas renovation of Churchill ment for the Burn- and totals $43.8 million, and a program leader for the Meadows Community Cen- hamthorpe and Carmen with infrastructure, flood re- Mississauga, Ontario Vision Zero initiative are tre, 32,600 more service Corbasson Community Cen- lief projects and outreach L5G 1G9 some of the changes and im- hours for the MiWay transit tres. activities planned. The 2020 Direct: 905‐990‐0932 provements outlined in Mis- system and the hiring of a In summary discussions increase for program is two sissauga's 2020 budget, program leader for the Vi- before the budget was ap- per cent, or $108.20 per www.peelweeklynews.com which was approved sion Zero initiative, which proved, Mississauga Mayor stormwater billing unit, up Wednesday morning at their seeks to curb injuries and Bonnie Crombie said that $2.10 from last year. PUBLISHER regular council meeting. deaths on city streets. $1.6 the strikes the right balance In a statement, city man- The budget approval, million will also be invested between keeping taxes in ager Janice Baker said that Peter Whitaker which was deferred to Jan. for the implementation of line with inflation while con- council's commitment to 22 after councillors elected new 40km/h speed limits in tinuing to deliver services service excellence, fiscal re- publisher@ to wait last month for Peel residential areas, as well as residents expect. sponsibility and continuous peeldailynews.com Region to unveil its 2020 30km/h school zones within “We will continue to strive improvement are key ele- operating and capital neighbourhoods, while a to deliver value for money ments of business planning. budget, means that Missis- further $3.8 million will be for residents while making "Construction and mainte- NEWS/INFO DESK sauga residents will see their invested to help build new the strategic investments nance costs are rising and residential property tax in- fire stations, trucks and needed to stay competitive, we are experiencing growing newsdesk@ crease by 3.24 per cent, or equipment as well as en- be prepared for future needs in our city including approximately $88.18 for a hanced public education growth and attract people affordable housing, more peeldailynews.com $680,000 property. The res- programs and outreach. and businesses from around transit infrastructure and idential tax increase is split $2.9 billion will be in- the world," said Crombie. funding for growth on the between 1.60 per cent from vested over the next ten "Investing in transit and waterfront. With competing COMMUNITY DESK the city and 1.64 per cent years to handle major capi- new initiatives such as the pressures and priorities, the from the region. tal projects, including the long-awaited Churchill two per cent special levy we catherine@ The approved budget in- design of the new Cooksville Meadows Community Cen- are continuing to use helps cludes $4.4 million in Community Centre, renova- tre will ensure our City is keep our infrastructure in peeldailynews.com spending for new initiatives, tion of libraries, construc- prepared for the future.” good repair.” PEEL WEEKLY NEWS Council passes “healthcare emergency” motion MANAGING EDITOR Continued from Pg 1 isting, multi-tiered health- lock", when a hospital has increasing operating hours for Alex Gregory care system with layers of more than 50 or more pa- LCBO stores, alleging that has newsdesk@ The city has conducted a padded bureaucracy has been tients admitted with no avail- also given preferential treat- peeldailynews.com number of advocacy cam- putting patient care on the able hospital rooms. More ment to Osler's Etobicoke paigns to bring awareness to back burner. than 5,000 patients are seen General Hospital due to it the issue of overcrowding and The second phase of the new in hospital hallways each year, being in his home riding. "We DIGITAL funding concerns over the last Peel Memorial Hospital has she told councillors, and the can see how important Ontar- few years, including last year's been approved, but is only in situation must change. ians' health is for Premier MEDIA/WRITER #FairDealForBrampton peti- the early planning stages and "I can't stress enough that's Ford," she said. Jonathan Giggs tion, keynote speeches at remains many years away what's impotant to realize is In a statement issued major conferences including from completion. Gill said the that being in a hallway is not shortly after council's motion Alex Gregory the Association of Municipal- 200 beds slated for the site about convenience... but it im- was passed, Brampton South ities of Ontario (AMO) annual fall well short of the 850 pacts patient outcomes," said PC MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria meeting, and support of major needed to bring Brampton up Gill, who referred to the con- said that the province is com- SPORTS fundraisers like Hockey Night to the provincial average, with ditions as "third-world". mited to protecting health CONTRIBUTORS in Brampton, which helped many ending up on waitlists Madgal also spoke about his care. Dave Robinson raise funds to purchase new for weeks or months at a time experiences taking care of his “After years of inaction medical equipment for to see specialists. 91 year-old father, who was under the previous Govern- Benedict Rhodes Brampton Civic and Peel Me- "Access to a waitlist is not discharged at Brampton Civic ment, hospitals were left un- Brendan Lang morial. access to medical care," said last year after suffering a derfunded and hallway So far, the petition has gen- Gill, who noted that more stroke and losing his mobility. healthcare had become the erated over 18,000 signatures than a million in the province Madgal's father was later norm. Premier Ford and our BUSINESS/LIFESTYLE from local residents voicing do not have access to a family readmitted to the hospital government have made it their support, but much more doctor. after coming down with pneu- clear that we are committed to EDITOR must be done, not only to pro- Brampton features the low- monia, and died in a hospital protecting what matters most Alex Gregory vide support and funding for est number of hospital beds hallway. – health care." the hospital as the city grows, per capita in Ontario at 0.9 The experience "eroded my Saying "actions speak but to get residents motivated beds per resident compared to faith in Brampton's health- louder than words", Sarkaria CONTRIBUTORS to voice their concerns before the provincial average of 2.3 care system," said Madgal, pointed out investments in Elizabeth Banfalvi a family member ends up with beds. Gill added that Bramp- who urged councillors and the mental health supports for substandard health care. ton receives the lowest per province to act on real solu- local residents and the cre- Dmytro Basmat "Until you deal with it, it's capita funding in the tions and funding. "I hope you ation of 325 long-term care Surjit Singh Flora not an issue... but as soon as province, at $937 per resident make healthcare a top prior- beds at sites like the Tullam- that happens to you, it is an - the second-lowest in ity... if we can't take care of ore Care Community Centre. Pat Graham issue," said Wards 3&4 city Canada. The provincial aver- our sick, what good are we?" He also said that he worked Marc Patrone councillor Jeff Bowman. age is approximately $2,000 Gill's presentation was with the Ministry of Health to "(Hospital funding) is critical, per resident. made on the same day that a provide Osler with $500,000 Heather Raithby and has been critical for ten- COD accused the Ford gov- scathing CBC News report to complete a proposal for the Catherine Soplet years plus. We need to get ernment of violating the was released, with data ob- planned Phase II develop- more angry about it." Canada Health Care Act for tained from a Freedom of In- ment at Peel Memorial. The Urgent Care Centre at not providing adequate fund- formation Request revealing Bringing the motion for- the new Peel Memorial site, ing to meet basic health care that some of the province's ward today was absolutely es- which opened in 2017, was needs in Brampton, adding busiest hospitals, including sential, said Brown. built to accommodate 10,000 the province cut hours at the Richmond Hill Hospital, Pe- "Brampton's hallway medi- patients per year and is al- Peel Memorial urgent care terborough Regional Health cine and overcrowding is con- ready operating at 587 per centre in July 2019. Centre and Hamilton General stantly used as an example of cent above capacity, seeing “The tragic part is that as we Hospital suffered from con- what health care crises look more than 75,000 patients continue to be neglected. Our stant overcrowding and hall- like nationally. Brampton de- each year. health care crisis continues to way healthcare through the serves its fair share and our Dr. Kulvinder Gill, founder escalate as our population first six months of 2019. residents deserve the basic of Concerned Ontario Doctors growth continues to increase Gill said that the province, right of having access to ade- (COD) and a Brampton physi- at an astronomical rate,” Gill including Premier Doug Ford, quate health care.” cian who operates her own said, who spoke about the reduced operating hours for private practice, says the ex- prevalence of "Code Grid- healthcare centres while also PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 5 Jan. 23, 2020 | PEEL WEEKLY NEWS | NEWS5 Opinion Taxpayers don’t have the spare change for Harry and Meghan roles as senior mem- Canadian public, who that in the future, if be more than $10 mil- Being a resident of bers of the Royal Fam- enjoy the beautiful they decide to move on lion. This could include England, they can stay ily last Wednesday, the faces of the Royal Fam- to L.A. after we paid items like protecting without a Visa for up to U.K. media has been ily, find their presence millions of dollars for their personal guard, six months, but how thrown into a frenzy. 'far from pleasant'. their security and ac- vehicle, and secure en- long will they keep How could they do According to a survey commodation. I wish closure. going back and forth? this to the Queen? by Angus Reid, 73 per the PM would stop Experts with knowl- Our Immigration What does this new cent of Canadians want being starstruck and edge of Canadian im- Minister has the right With the blessing of "progressive role" Prince Harry and would negotiate the migration law are to make anyone a Per- Queen Elizabeth, mean? Who will be Meghan to avoid all terms rather than questioning whether manent Resident Prince Harry and paying for their secu- costs, including their throwing our tax dol- the Royal couple will under certain circum- Meghan, the Duke and rity costs overseas? own security, without lars at them. come to Permanent stances. Will this open Duchess of Sussex, will Now the question is burdening Canadians. 73 per cent of Cana- Residence, whose abil- the way for the Royal be dividing their time raised that, "who will Only 3 per cent of dians think nothing ity to meet their condi- couple? in the U.K. and Canada be paying for their se- Canadians are in favor should be paid, but tions does not appear Why not? If the 19 during a "period of curity costs over here of the Royal couple's Prime Minister Justin to both. Prince Harry year-old girl who fled transition" as they take in Canada?” expense, while 19 per Trudeau pointed out has not even com- from Saudi Arabia's a step back from their It's about money. cent are in favor of the that Canada would pleted a university de- strict regime was wel- official duties as senior The Canadian taxpay- majority of the ex- have to bear some of gree, and by the age of comed by then Foreign members of the Royal ers do not want to pay pense. the Royal couple's ex- 35, it is impossible to Minister Chrystia Free- Family. for their security. Why Although 69 per cent penses, which would get a number through land at the Toronto The decision comes should they? It’s noth- of Canadians are include the cost of se- his express entry. Pearson Airport, why after a week of ram- ing personal. They are ‘Prince Harry crazy,’ curity provided by the Anyway, being a Per- not do something for pant speculation about hugely wealthy and not this madness is limited RCMP. manent Resident or the Royal family chil- a rift in the family fol- our financial responsi- only to his celebrity Experts who provide Citizen of Canada for dren. lowing Prince Harry bility. with a well-rounded security for the most Prince Harry and Just another couple and Meghan's bomb- Most importantly, appearance and important people think Meghan would mean on the trail, but recog- shell announcement they are fighting for celebrity character. the Royal couple's an- becoming 'King's sub- nizable nonetheless. that indicated they their own freedom, In fact, there is a nual security cost could jects.' would reduce their and it's "indepen- steady increase in the Royal workload and dence." number of Canadians Getty Images become "financially in- So, these two can pay who want to see dependent." They are their own way - with Canada get out of the leaving the U.K. for the millions, and they Constitutional Coinage Canada. are sure to make pri- of the British Empire. On Monday, the vately. Canadian tax- In 2016, 38 per cent of Queen released a state- payers don't have the Canadians were ment saying the Royal spare change; on the against being the pro- Family "respect" and contrary. prietor of the Royal understand their desire The bottom line is family; now, that num- to live a more inde- that the Canadians are ber has increased to 45 pendent life as a fam- not ready to let them per cent. ily, while remaining a have their cake and eat While everyone feels valued part of the insti- it too in Canada, while "honoured" or "spe- tution. we all bow, scrape, and cial" because Prince Since the couple fund their visits and se- Harry and Meghan made their decision to curity. would choose to live "step back" from their It is shocking that the here, the sad part is PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 6 PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 7 Jan. 23, 2020 | PEEL WEEKLY NEWS | NEWS7 Trio nabbed, major drug Family’s search for justice stalled by beleaguered court system stash seized in Brampton After waiting almost filed by the Tiwari fam- while the hospital seven years for their ily alleges a wrongful doesn’t remark on in- Three residents controlled substance arrested and day in court, a family, death, while a breach dividual cases involv- living in a down- and trafficking a charged with two whose son was able to of privacy suit alleges ing patients, “we have town apartment controlled sub- counts of possessing commit suicide while that staff members and continue to ex- building were ar- stance, and will ap- a controlled sub- he was supposed to be were negligent by at- press our sincere con- rested by police last pear in Brampton stance and one under close observa- tending a potluck dolences for the week and charged court on Feb. 20. count of trafficking. tion at Brampton Civic lunch, rather than family's loss." Hospital in June 2014, closely supervising Smitiuch Injury Law with multiple of- A 24 year-old He will appear in has been advised that Prashant Tiwari. PC’s Michael Smitiuch, fences, police have woman, of no fixed Brampton court on their wrongful death In an interview last who is representing the revealed. address, was Feb. 13. trial scheduled to start week, Prashant’s fa- Tiwari family along- 22 Division’s Foot charged with three Residents living in in Brampton this ther, Rakesh Tiwari, side Luke Hamer, said Patrol Unit executed counts of breaching the area who may month will not start said the ongoing mat- that the case has been until 2021 - because ter is “one travesty a slow crawl to justice. a search warrant at recognizance, and have additional in- there is not a single after another," indicat- "This family deserves an apartment in the appeared in Bramp- formation regarding courtroom available in ing that it will be at answers and accounta- Main and Queen ton court on Jan. 16 the case are asked to the GTA. least seven years fol- bility and shouldn't Street area last to answer to the call 22 Division’s On June 26, 2014, lowing his son's death have to wait years to Wednesday (Jan. charges. Foot Patrol Unit at 20-year-old Prashant before more answers get it. This is a serious 15). A 20 year-old male (905) 453-2121, ext. Tiwari of Brampton are given regarding his access to justice prob- took his own life, while son’s death. lem that the Ontario Upon investigating from Vaughan was 2233. he was supposed to be "First the medical government needs to the scene, authori- under close staff super- system let us down, immediately address." ties discovered that vision in the psychi- now it's the courts." Look for further up- three individuals atric unit of Brampton In response to email dates on this case and were selling drugs in Civic, one of William requests from media others in future edi- the immediate area, Osler's two hospitals. outlets, an Osler repre- tions of Peel Weekly A Statement of Claim sentative said that News. and a large quantity of fentanyl and co- caine, along with as- sorted drug paraphernalia, was seized at the scene. A 45 year-old Brampton man, who wasn’t identified by name as of press time, was charged with possessing a Enjoying the new format? Look for more news, business, sports and lifestyle coverage at a business near you as Peel Weekly News returns to print on Monday, Feb. 3! Stay tuned for additional developments, and thank you for your loyal support of local journalism! PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 8 PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 9 Jan. 23, 2020 | PEEL WEEKLY NEWS | NEWS9 Opinion I’m in favour of an “aid in dying” law. Are you? by Surjit Singh Flora A peaceful, tranquil ment of family and That means in the exploited, especially if have been eliminated? People have a right and painless death friends. abstract that a person the reasonably foresee- Do Alzheimer's pa- to kill themselves, dou- might mean something But at this moment, ought to be able to en- able death sentence tients allow them to bly so if they suffer different to you than to the family may have to list the aid of trained has been removed? express their desire to from living. Could you someone else. make some tough deci- medical personnel to Will people not go out die? do the right thing: let Your grandmother sions. When someone assist his/her decision of their way to leave More than 2,500 them go? Everyone has might want to know does not recover to die. their relatives' friends Canadians have ac- the inalienable right to when death is near so quickly, the families This "right to die" for the sake of their cepted death with live their own lives as she can have a few last need to decide to re- has been recognized in own personal inter- medical assistance in they wish as long as it words with near and move these aids and some countries. ests, or will doctors the last three years does not interfere with the dear ones. Your allow the person to die There is a need for make the wrong deci- since Bill C-14. With others' rights. mother might want to or keep their loved one change. In Sep. 2018, sions? the kind of human Fundamental to this die quickly and not on a ventilator and the Quebec Superior Besides, many other rights watchdog in right is the right to end linger. Perhaps your feeding tube indefi- Court ruled that the questions are being Canada, this trend is their lives. Doctors mother has said she nitely. provisions of the fed- asked of the public. far-fetched. should be free to assist wants to be in a hospi- The federal govern- eral government's laws For example, should The truth is that be- people who freely tal where she can re- ment has since on this issue are very children under the age fore the passage of Bill choose to end their ceive treatment for her launched an online restrictive. of 18 be allowed to die C-14, the Canadian lives in such a way as illness until dying her consultation that aims According to Bill C- themselves? Medical Association to make this as pain- last breath. to find a "death sen- 14, passed by the Lib- Especially children conducted a survey in less as possible. Many people desired tence with medical as- eral government in who can decide for which 63 per cent of Would you support a to be surrounded by sistance" from the 2016, a person may be themselves. Should doctors were not in "death with dignity" or near and dear ones, Canadian public so the allowed to die with both the doctor and favor of paying their "aid in dying" law in and many of them just government can make medical assistance the patient agree that patients premature Canada? I am in favor want to be alone. a law-changing on only if his death can be all treatment options death. of an "aid in dying" law Of course, sadly, Mar. 11. accurately estimated many of them often Should assisted sui- even if death is reason- never get to choose. cide for mental illness ably foreseeable. When a doctor says be legal? Yes! Ab- Although the above something like, "I'm solutely! But only for decision applies only sorry, things are not those suffering from to Quebec, the decision good. There are none long-term physical was not challenged by of the other treatments pain, and in a coma the Supreme Court of for us to try. We did from years on the hos- Quebec or the Federal our best," that might pital beds, otherwise Government, which made you sad, hurt or those who have made it necessary to your feelings, close the lived a "full life." change the law. door to the possibility In the abstract, yes, One of the questions of a cure, but it does everyone should have that can be asked is not stop the need for the right to decide to what steps should be medical support. Nor end his/her life pain- taken to prevent the does it end the involve- lessly as possible. deceased person being PDN January 23, 2020_Layout 1 23/01/2020 3:11 AM Page 10 Jan. 23, 2020 | PEEL WEEKLY NEWS | NEWS10 New Peel program connects families with drop-in programs by Alex Gregory A new drop-in pro- Peel,” said Nakiema wanted to ask the Children’s Centre re- coming child develop- connections they need gram is helping to Palmer, the manager question, ‘Why do source consultant ment services to all to support their child’s lighten the load for of the region’s Early families use EarlyOn Melissa Wells. “This is families. developmental jour- families throughout Years and Child Care centres?’ For families helpful because it is an Special needs sup- ney, said Bhupinder the region. programs. "Families, who didn't use the environment their ports are provided to Heer, manager of clin- Earlier this month, regardless of where service, we wanted to child attends, plays children attending be- ical services at Peel Peel Region unveiled they enter our system, understand the barri- and grows in already. fore and after school Children’s Centre. its new EarlyON Child should have access to ers." Families are excited to programs, as well as li- “This service will Development Sup- this resource." The region saw an receive informed an- censed child care, help parents and care- ports program, which One of the Region’s increase in consulta- swers to typical child though the region. The givers feel more confi- gives parents and key priorities is to pro- tions with families at development con- same supports will be dent in their parenting caregivers access to vide inclusive, wel- EarlyON Centres from cerns. made available role by building trust- expertswho can offer a coming child Oct. - Nov. 2019, as They also appreciate through the EarlyON ing relationships with wide array of supports development services regional staff rolled having a safe place to Centres. a variety of resources and services. to families throughout out a pilot version of voice their questions "How do we create in the community.” The new program, the region, specifically the program. about their child's de- opportunities where The pilot for the De- which is offered at ex- accessible play-based The feedback they velopment needs and families feeel empow- velopment Supports isting EarlyON centres learning opportunities received from the receive resources ered as they move out will continue through throughout the region, and access to local re- early consultations and/or referrals to of EarlyON? We’re the balance of the is billed as the first sources. made them realize next step options.” giving families the year, and Early Years program of its kind in For Palmer and the that early identifica- Wells’ view is shared tools and resources staff will report their Peel, and allows par- Early Years team, un- tion of a child’s needs by the region’s Early they need to ask the findings regarding the ents to talk to Re- derstanding the barri- is paramount to fos- Years and Child Care right questions," said program and feedback source Consultants, ers that prevented tering healthy devel- director, Suzanne Palmer. this fall at regional who can discuss op- parents from learning opment, said Palmer. Finn, who said that a Families who use the council. portunities for special- about the EarlyON Children often key priority is provid- program will receive ized services, answer program and building process a large ing inclusive and wel- the information and questions about their supports for a child’s amount of basic infor- child(ren)’s develop- early development mation before the age ment and connect was a key factor in the of five, and recogniz- them with play-based creation of the sup- ing their strengths and learning activities. ports. abilities can help in- EarlyON Centres in “We wanted to take fluence their success the region offer free a critical look of the in school and through drop-in programs for program and under- the rest of their life. families with children stand where the gaps To that end, the De- aged six and under. were for dedicated velopment Supports The Child Develop- support for families Program was created ment Supports offer for childhood develop- in partnership with better and more ment,” said Palmer, the region and Peel meaningful supports who noted that the Children’s Centre. to families, a regional team wanted to un- “I think the new manager told Peel derstand factors like service is accessible Weekly News earlier geographic area, so- because it is meeting this month. cioeconomic level and families in a comfort- “It's a critical pro- language that influ- able community pro- gram for us... it's the enced their choice of gram setting at the first of its kind in daycare program. “We EarlyON,” said Peel