Dhillon has been worthless. Beckles would be much better for the riding and bring the riding more attention = as he could be the first black Progressive Conservative elected since Lincoln Alexander

This Dhillion dude has a real attitude problem. Seriously, i agree with the comment above, he has been TOTALLY Worthless. A waste of our tax dollars. I feel sorry for poor chaps in this office.

Again, the Ethnic vote will play big here. Mark has good energy and a good spirit.

The Brampton Board of Trade is upset with the Liberals over Memorial Hospital. http://www.bramptonbot.com/pdfs/LettertoPremierHospitalCareJuly07.pdf

This is probably the main issue here

Last campaign Vic Dhillon rode the wave of a strong central campaign and was helped by a general distaste for the Conservative government of the day. Things will be more difficult this time. John Tory has a broader appeal especially to soft liberal voters and McGuinty has a lot of baggage he needs to shed before election day.
As a previous post noted, Dhillon is basically unknown in the riding and the new Conservative candidate has been quick to impress, already forming strong relationships with the Mayor and other senior city councilors. I’ve been to a lot of city events and Beckles seems to be everywhere, already behaving like the incumbent. Even Liberal Linda Jeffrey in the next riding over has publicly expressed her fondness of Beckles at community gatherings.
Personalities aside, this campaign will be fought over two local issues: First, a recent announcement that the new hospital will open with fewer beds than initially promised has caused concern as well as the fact that Brampton may have to cover escalating costs through additional property taxes. Second, Brampton?s large immigrant population is growing increasingly concerned about the ongoing problems skilled immigrants have in finding full employment. Both of these were key part of the Liberal?s last campaign that helped them win this riding. If they can convince voters that there is a good reason why they have broken these promises then they will have a chance. Like a lot of 905 ridings, this one will depend on McGuinty?s ability to repair his image and win back disillusioned voters.

Interesting comments Ian. This should be a good race. Can’t wait to see them face off one on one.

Peel Memorial Hospital Not Closing PDF Print E-mail

Brampton Board of Trade Divisive

Brampton-It appears now that the provincial election is under way the Brampton Board of Trade is intent on dominating the election coverage.

Brampton residents are being targeted by a Brampton Board of Trade campaign scheme to keep Peel Memorial Hospital from “closing.”

Residents are being told by the Board of Trade that the Hospital is on the chopping block. The only problem with their campaign is that the hospital was never going to close in the first place.

“I don’t get it.. is there something I’m missing” stated Vic Dhillon ” it smells to high heaven”

In early July the Premier of Ontario wrote a letter to the residents of Brampton, which was published in the Brampton Guardian, clearly outlining that Peel Memorial Hospital will not close. Please refer to our issues section to review letter.

“why the campaign now..it just doesn’t make sense. I can only assume that politics is at play here”

Just so residents know, assurances have been givin by Member of Provincial Parliament Vic Dhillon, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Health and the Peel Memorial Hospital Board.

Please contact the Vic Dhillon Campaign for clear and concise information about the “real” future of Peel Memorial Hospital.

Funny how Vic Dhillon’s team issues this statement. BUT WHERE HAS HE BEEN OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS!!!

“Just so residents know, assurances have been givin by Member of Provincial Parliament Vic Dhillon, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Health and the Peel Memorial Hospital Board.”

Based on Mr. Guinty’s trend of broken promises - why would you trust him? and where was Vic Dhillon on this over the past 4 years. I don’t see him speaking at Queens Park. ZIP, NOTHING, NADDA.

Dhillon’s comments about Mark Beckles:

Brampton West Tory Candidate “Dazed and Confused” PDF Print E-mail
Conservative Candidate Mark Beckles Confused Over What’s Being Delivered at Brampton’s New Civic Hospital.

Brampton- Vic Dhillon, candidate for the Liberal Party of Ontario in Brampton West squared off against Tory opponent Mark Beckles at a “greet and meet the candidate night” held by the North West Brampton Community Development Association. More than 150 people were in attendance.

During the meet and greet, Tory candidate Mark Beckles , speaking after Vic Dhillon applauded the new Brampton Civic Hospital and the services being offered to the community, seemed confused as to what the actual services were being offered at Bramptons’ new Civic Hospital, ” I don’t think William Osler Health Civic Hospital will have any MRI’s as far as I know.”

” It’s concerning that a candidate who is running to represent the people of Brampton doesn’t understand what has occurred at our new community hospital” said, Vic Dhillon. ” as liberals we have taken great leaps to make sure that health care remains a top priority for the people of Ontario”

For full details regarding services being offered at Bramptons new hospital please visit www.williamoslerhc.on.ca

“Well, I go to the new Hospitals’ website and here are the services they offer:

http://www.williamoslerhc.on.ca/body.cfm?id=43

Diagnostic Imaging Services

William Osler Health Centre offers advanced digital diagnostic imaging technology combined with access to a broad array of experts. Our radiologists, technologists, nurses, and administrative staff are committed to providing accurate and timely diagnostic imaging services in a friendly environment both for our patients and referring physicians.

Tests and Procedures

Outpatient diagnostic radiology services include general radiography (x-ray), MRI, CT scans, mammography including the Ontario Breast Screening Program, ultrasound, diagnostic radiography, fluoroscopic procedures, bone density testing and nuclear medicine procedures.

Two Locations to Serve You

Diagnostic Imaging Services are offered at both hospital sites to meet your needs; the Etobicoke General Hospital and the Peel Memorial Hospital in Brampton. Click on the following links for information on the services offered at each location and to find maps to the facilities.

* Etobicoke General Hospital

* Peel Memorial Hospital

Notice I do not see “BRAMPTON CIVIC HOSPITAL” . Thus Mark Beckles is correct. There may be one but Dhillon needs to stop acting like his boss - and start trying to be honest.

Do a search on MRI’s and here is what u get:

http://www.williamoslerhc.on.ca/body.cfm?id=130

Welcome to the MRI Centre

William Osler Health Centre

Peel Memorial Hospital

20 Lynch Street

Brampton, ON L6W 2Z8

Tel: (905) 796-4250

William Osler Health Centre is pleased to offer state-of-the-art MRI technology to our community. We are the only facility in the province that provides both closed and open options for our patients.

Peel Memorial is NOT the Brampton Civic Hospital. Mark Beckles is correct again.

William Osler may have MRI’s but the new hospital according to the website does not.

Dhillon + McGuinty = up to $900 per tax payer with no results.

The Voters are not stupid!

Vic Dhillon is trying to take credit for the New Brampton Civic Hospital. But why does he ignore the fact that is was the Progressive Conservatives who indeed started building the hospital?

And now Dhillon is attacking the Brampton Board of Trade over the hospital. WOW…

Beckles supposively ripped Dhillon’s but as we have seen the Premier says … “the Peel Memorial Hospital will be redeveloped, starting in 2009.”

Hold on, so we will still be short beds until when?

Do nothing Dhillon needs to go

THINK - the new hospital isn’t even open yet… when it does at the end of Oct it’ll have an MRI.
and it started construction a full year after tony two tier was defeated - most useless self promoting political opportunist i ever met. tony two tier had eight years as the PC mpp under harris/eves to do something, but did nothing and didn’t get it done.

it’s also comforting to know that peel memorial will still be open and offer mri services - god knows brampton needs it.

i also remember dhillon at the 2005 announcement for the redevelopment of peel memorial… and at the last couple of tours with the premier and health minister this year and last. it is kind of odd that the board of trade and mayors office have launched this campaign… doesn’t make sense. hospital board members don’t understand what’s the issue either - the hospital is staying open.

point 1: susan fennell understands peel memorial will stay open.

Mayor, Premier meet to talk about PMH future
Metroland - Brampton Division
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Page: 01
Section: Brampton Guardian
Byline: PAM DOUGLAS, Staff Writer
Column: 4
Dateline: Article

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty personally assured Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell that Peel Memorial Hospital (PMH) will not close after Brampton Civic opens this fall.
“He absolutely confirmed Peel Memorial was not to close for a single day,” she said.
She asked if PMH would shut down for a short period. “He said, ‘No, this hospital is not closing at all.’ So there’s your confirmation,” she said. Fennell went to Queen’s Park Wednesday for a scheduled 30 minute meeting with McGuinty that lasted for more than one hour. “My job is to bring these issues (important to Bramptonians) to the premier as they arise. My position is as a broker of good outcomes.” “We all want the same goal,” she said, noting “It really is a provincial job to fix this.” She also told McGuinty the hospital needs a citizen’s committee
to offer input into how PMH can be refurbished.
She said the hospital’s current board is made up of “good, hard-working, smart people, but they don’t live in Brampton.” “It might be time to look at the government structure as well as
a local planning committee,” she said.
Fennell described the meeting as positive, frank, and amicable that neither were in a hurry to bring to a close.

PMH will remain open promises Ontario premier
Metroland - Brampton Division
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Page: 01
Section: Brampton Guardian
Column: 1
Dateline: Letter

Congratulations to the people of Brampton! Your new Brampton Civic Hospital will be open in a few months. Your new state-of-the-art hospital, the biggest in Canada, will nearly double hospital bed capacity in the community and can accommodate an amazing 90,000 emergency department visits every year. Our government, on behalf of Ontarians, is pleased to invest $589 million in construction costs for this new facility to ensure the people of Brampton have access to the best health care. Bramptonians have expressed concerns directly to me about the future of the Peel Memorial Hospital in downtown Brampton. I want to reassure the people of Brampton that Peel Memorial Hospital will stay open and will continue to deliver essential health care services. As Minister of Health, George Smitherman, announced in October 2005, the Peel Memorial Hospital will be redeveloped, starting in 2009. Peel Memorial will be home to a modern facility providing outpatient and ambulatory services to patients every day.

To help us determine exactly which services should be offered at Peel Memorial, our government has asked the Local Health
Integration Network (LHIN) to work with the William Osler Health Centre to develop a plan for service delivery across the
hospital’s three site network and the broader community. This is in keeping with our government’s belief that the local community is best positioned to assess its health service needs and priorities.

More than 100 hospital construction projects are underway or planned right across Ontario. Local communities are proud to
invest in their hospitals and I look forward to learning more about Brampton’s plans to contribute its share towards its
hospitals. Our government is proud to work with the people of Brampton and the surrounding community to dramatically improve their access to quality health services. I want to thank everyone in the community for their support and advice for these projects. I also offer my thanks to your representatives at Queen’s Park, Linda Jeffrey, Kuldip Kular and Vic Dhillon, for their tireless advocacy on behalf of their communities. Through our combined efforts, the Brampton Civic Hospital will
be a crown jewel in Ontario health care and a renewed Peel Memorial Hospital will ensure continuity of care from a much-
loved Brampton institution.

Dalton McGuinty,

Dalton has broken 70 promises. He has so much creditability, lol…

Peel Memorial Development, Announced by the previous Conservative Government, so come on Dalton, you can do better than that.

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2003/05/23/c5089.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

Dhillon has NOTHING to do with this unless he was in the previous Conservative government. Plus, that is not the Brampton Board of Trade’s issue.

Dhillon spent more time in the legislature acknowledging his visiting friends and accusing John Tory of being racist - instead of standing up for Brampton West.

Another Liberal lie in this riding,
http://hansardindex.ontla.on.ca/hansardeissue/38-1/l005a.htm
Hon Mr Smitherman: I’m also pleased to say that the people of Brampton will have a public hospital of which they can be proud and which will open as planned in 2006.

Last time we checked, it is 2007 right now.

In a strongly worded letter to Dalton McGuinty, BBOT President Linda Ford has urged the Premier to keep Peel Memorial Hospital open, calling the closing a “health care crisis” for Brampton.

“Hospitals are a responsibility of the provincial government, and as such, your government is accountable for ensuring that Brampton has adequate hospital care that is commensurate with our large and growing population, and with the higher levels of service provided throughout the province.”

Even when Brampton Civic Hospital opens with 479 beds, a ratio of one bed for approximately every 1,000 residents, “it is clear that even with a new $900 million hospital, Brampton will be under-serviced in hospital care - unless Peel Memorial Hospital remains open,” Ford said.

In 1985, Mississauga had a population 100,000 less than Brampton has today when Credit Valley Hospital was built, and the Ministry of Health of the day saw fit to keep Trillium Hospital open.

“Brampton expects and frankly deserves the same level of care.”

The letter urges the Premier by way of Order in Council, to commit funds and provide a directive to keep Peel Memorial Hospital open.

“We appreciate that time is required to fully assess and develop an appropriate redevelopment plan for Peel Memorial Hospital for 2009, but this process can occur while the hospital remains open. It is viable that Peel Memorial can remain open in the interim at some functional level, and The Brampton Board of Trade would be pleased to participate in developing such options. There are many examples where hospitals have been redeveloped while continuing to deliver health care services, without closing. A commitment in funding is needed to ensure that this occurs, and will send a strong signal to the community of Brampton that we will have two hospitals.”

Ford said it is “unreasonable and onerous” to expect our community to raise more than $250 million for Brampton Civic and then contribute to Peel Memorial. She says additional costs associated with building Brampton Civic have forced the community share at 30 per cent to increase from an originally agreed upon $120 million to $250 million.

“The fact that we have exceeded $100 million in fundraising to date demonstrates that the Brampton community is meeting its original obligation. However, many potential contributors in our community, both individual and business, want to ensure that they are contributing to the two hospitals that we have been promised - not just one.”

She said despite commitments, made by the previous provincial government and the McGuinty government that Brampton would have two hospitals, the definitive answer is still unknown.

“It is abundantly clear that Brampton has for too long been severely under-serviced with the hospital care that we have been receiving. Our residents and businesses expect and demand nothing less than two hospitals.”

Ford urged the Premier to “immediately demonstrate a commitment” to two hospitals in Brampton.

“There should be no further debate about Brampton receiving the level of hospital care that we deserve,” she said.

“hospital board members don’t understand what’s the issue either”

So the Board is stupid? And attacking the Board of Trade is smart.

No wonder Mark Beckles is leading and will probably win this seat. He will be a much stronger voice for Brampton West than Dhillon.

“hospital board members don’t understand what’s the issue either” - awkward phrasing, me and my bleary eyes, my bad.

what i meant to say is hospital board members are aware that peel memorial will remain open, they just don’t understand why there’s a campaign being led by the board of trade saying otherwise - that it’ll close. hospital board members know that’s not true - the hospital will remain open.

i don’t live in brampton anymore but i know vic has done a lot of good over the last four years as mpp (and an extra nine as beaumier’s staffer).

along with the other brampton mpps he’s delivered a new hospital, renovating the peel memorial hospital, 410 extension (formerly the 205 ;-), funding for brampton’s new rapid transit initiative acceleride, go transit expansion, nearly a 100 more police officers, better schools, brampton development corporation, he saved the knight’s table when no one else would help, and he introduced a private member’s bill protecting vulnerable workers from temp agencies that has been enacted - a big issue with newcomers and those in lower income brackets. vic has a good record.

dude, i don’t know why you got all personal with him. it seems like you have an axe to grind and it’s quite petty.

liberals have been good for brampton.

b/c politics is a hobby, here are some positive results from dhillon:
Knights Table finds new home
Metroland Papers
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Page: 3
Section: Brampton Guardian
Byline: PAM DOUGLAS, Staff Writer
Column: B
Dateline: Article

Brampton’s only soup kitchen finally has a new home after months of searching.

“I’m very excited,” said Nilda Patey, executive director of the Knights Table. She said she felt like her letter to Santa had been answered.

Renovations need to be done on the new building, at 116 Kennedy Rd. S., south of Clarence Street, but she said the Knights Table will move in before the end of next month.

“It’s walking distance from downtown. The clients should be fine and the landlord seems very fair,” she said.

The new location is more than twice as big as the current storefront operation on Nelson Street. The Knights Table had to vacate its current site by the end of January. The landlord no longer wanted to rent to the organization.

Patey had been trying desperately to find a new home for the Knights Table since the summer, but doors were closed wherever she went. No one wanted to rent to a soup kitchen, she said. Frustrated, she went public with an appeal to find a new home and get an extension to stay put until a new place was found.

The extension was agreed to, and Brampton West-Mississauga MPP Vic Dhillon took on the challenge of finding a new location. Patey credits him with saving the day.

“It wouldn’t have happened if Vic Dhillon hadn’t stepped in. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have gotten it. He held quite a few meetings at his office.”

She called him “a politician that put his action where his mouth was.”

“It was definitely a lot of work, but it’s our duty,” Dhillon said yesterday. He said he wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and searched for a site, negotiated with the landlord, and secured a lease.

“For the first time, in over three months of up and down negotiations, we have a signed lease and a key in our hands. This new location will help in the table’s mandate to ensure there is a welcoming place and a warm meal for those less fortunate. This is fantastic news just in time for the holiday’s, the best Christmas present for me ever,” said Dhillon.

It was official just before Christmas and the lease was signed yesterday. Patey said she was so happy when she heard the news that she jumped up and down, and there were tears in her eyes.

“In the long run, I think we’ll be better for it,” she said of the move.

Because there is more space, there will be room to operate a proper food bank, something the old location couldn’t do.

MPP stepped up for Knights Table
Metroland Papers
Friday, December 31, 2004
Page: 4
Section: Brampton Guardian
Column: A
Dateline: Editorial

In this space three months ago, we urged politicians in this city to step up to the plate and help Brampton’s only soup kitchen find a new location.

Nilda Patey, executive director of the Knights Table, appealed to city council for help, but was frustrated by the general lack of commitment she received.

That’s when the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families stepped in and bought the Knights Table three more months at its current location in the downtown core. The group was being asked by the landlord to leave and could not find any other landlord willing to rent to them.

Then, in stepped Brampton West-Mississauga MPP Vic Dhillon, who proved our point that all the Knights Table needed was someone with some authority to take the lead on this.

The rookie MPP really took up the challenge, and made the difference. He worked hard to find an appropriate site and then was instrumental in helping hammer out the details of the lease. It is now a done deal and the Knights Table will be in new, better surroundings by the end of January.

There is still something missing, though. Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell’s response to the crisis was to say she believed the real issue was a failure to access social services to help Knights Table clients, something along the lines of giving them a hand up, not a hand out. That’s great, we couldn’t agree more, but we wonder how much progress has been made in that regard in the last three months?

Dhillon deserves a lot of credit for seeing someone in need and doing something to help. He proved he could be an effective leader. What we would like to see from him now is a move at the provincial level to address a closely related issue in a much broader sense.

During their reign, the provincial Tories shut down several government- run institutions and literally put out onto the street many people lacking the mental capacity to survive. This ridiculous decision needs to be reversed, sooner rather than later. It was no doubt done to save money, but the toll it has taken has proven to be much too high. The Liberals have a chance to right that wrong, and maybe Dhillon is the man to tackle it.

Too many cooks save the broth; MPP came to the rescue when diner was forced to close Brampton’s poor will have a new place to eat in new year
The Toronto Star
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Page: B2
Section: News
Byline: Dino Sossi
Source: Toronto Star

Faced with closing, a non-profit diner that has long provided a place for hot meals and comfort to many of Brampton’s poor and homeless has found a new home.

“Our fight to find a new location is over,” a relieved Nilda Patey, executive director of the Knights Table, said yesterday after it was announced that the diner will be moving to a building on Kennedy Rd. S. at Clarence St. - about 2 kilometres from its present location on Nelson St.

After extensive renovations, officials hope to open the doors on Feb. 1.

“I couldn’t think of better timing for something like this to happen,” said MPP Vic Dhillon (Brampton West-Mississauga). “Their lease is expiring in a couple of days and people would have literally been left in the cold. This is what the holidays are all about.”

The diner serves up to 250 meals a day, 365 days a year. It was established by the Knights Of Columbus in 1990 as a soup kitchen to feed the poor.

But by serving its clientele so well, the Knights Table became a victim of its own success.

“It became an issue of ‘not in my backyard,’” Patey said. “People would say to me, ‘You are doing a good service, but we don’t want to see you.’”

There were also a number of complaints about loitering and panhandling, and last summer two windows in the complex housing the diner were broken by patrons.

The landlord served the Knights Table with an eviction notice for Oct. 31, but an extension was given to January.

When the diner had trouble securing a new location, Dhillon used his network of friends in Brampton’s South Asian community to provide help.

“If it wasn’t for Vic, we wouldn’t have opened this new place. He knew the landlord and property,” Patey said. “He made the communications and hosted all the meetings to reach the agreement.”

Dhillon introduced the management of the diner to Jaswant Singh Birk, the owner of the plaza where the diner will be housed.

“The new landlord is very community-oriented,” Patey said. “We’ve doubled our square footage from 2,000 to almost 4,000 square feet. We will have more space for our Good Neighbour Program, where we deliver baked goods to subsidized and low-income housing units and also have a fully operational food bank.”

Dhillon was modest about his role in the opening of the new location.

“I wanted to get involved with this constituency because it is my community,” he said. “Anyone could be in that situation. We each owe a duty to help the less fortunate, especially people like myself who are in leadership roles and have the resources to help address these things.”

License ‘temp’ agencies
The Toronto Star
Monday, December 11, 2006
Page: A18
Section: Editorial

Every now and then, a private member’s bill comes along that should be acted on quickly by the government.

Such is the case with a bill that would protect some of Ontario’s most vulnerable workers, namely those who struggle in temporary and part-time jobs.

The bill, which passed second reading last week in the Ontario Legislature, calls for a licensing scheme for all employment agencies. Those agencies using unethical or illegal practices would lose that licence.

Liberal MPP Vic Dhillon (Brampton West-Mississauga) introduced the bill last month after he was deluged with complaints from his constituents, many of whom are Asian immigrants, following an article in the Toronto Star focusing on the struggles faced by workers employed by “temp” agencies.

They complained of unpaid wages, having to pay “placement fees” of up to $150 and of deliberately being denied steady employment.

Such actions are unconscionable. Temporary workers make up 13 per cent of the Canadian workforce, yet Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, brought in 60 years ago to safeguard workers’ basic rights, makes no mention of them.

The government recently moved quickly to adopt a private members bill to protect homeowners from unknowingly being duped out of their homes through mortgage fraud.

It should act with the same haste to protect some of our most vulnerable, poorest workers.

MPPs target ‘temp’ boom
The Toronto Star
Friday, December 8, 2006
Page: A01
Section: News
Byline: Rita Daly
Source: Toronto Star

Vulnerable workers gained support yesterday in their bid to achieve protection from “temp” agencies that use unethical or illegal means to exploit Ontario’s transient workforce.

Liberal MPP Vic Dhillon (Brampton West-Mississauga) has been pushing for a crackdown on the burgeoning temporary employment industry with a private member’s bill in the Ontario legislature. The bill received second reading yesterday.

Dhillon, who introduced the bill last month following a Toronto Star story on the struggles faced by temporary workers, said he’d heard enough about abuse endured by his constituents and is urging his own government crackdown on the industry.

His constituents, many of them Asian immigrants, have called or visited his constituency office in recent months upset about unpaid wages, being forced to pay “placement” fees of $150 to get work and being deliberately denied steady employment. Dhillon said some agencies are purposely sending two or more workers to a single full- time company job just to keep workers dependent on the agency.

The bill calls for a licensing scheme that will require an annual renewal from the Ministry of Labour for all employment agencies. Those who engage in unethical or illegal practices would lose their operating licence. The bill now goes to committee for further discussion.

“These people are basically at the mercy of these agencies and there is no law or regulation that is watching them,” Dhillon said in an interview yesterday.

“People have been sending a strong message to me. It’s not one where they don’t want to work, want easier work or they want higher paying work. They just want some steadiness in their employment lives.”

Private members’ bills are generally considered long shots unless they are adopted by the government. A recent example is the private member’s bill the government turned into legislation dealing with mortgage fraud.

Employment agencies have flourished in recent years as factories and warehouses, offices, nursing homes and retail outlets opt to hire cheaper labour from the unregulated industry of employment agencies that pay up to 40 per cent less than permanent wages. Many offer few benefits, no statutory holiday pay or termination pay.

About 13 per cent - or 1.7 million Canadian workers - are temporary, performing seasonal or casual agency work. StatsCan figures show one in five new hires is now a temporary worker, compared to one in 10 in 1989.

Companies that use temp agencies avoid paying employee benefits and can dismiss workers at will. Temporary workers were traditionally used by companies to fill short absences, but are now often hired for months or years but without the benefits that go with permanent employment.

Dhillon said many manufacturing companies in his riding are taking advantage of the growing temp industry and the new immigrants moving into the area desperate for work.

There are an estimated 1,300 employment agencies in Ontario, more than 500 in Toronto alone, and the industry continues to grow. The Workers’ Action Centre, a grassroots advocacy centre for temporary and part-time workers, has been shocked to discover fly-by-night agencies peddling labour out of apartments and basements when it followed up on workers’ complaints.

The centre has been calling for regulation of the industry since the former Conservative government repealed the Employment Agencies Act in 200l.

A number of MPPs from all three parties, including several of Dhillon’s Liberal colleagues, argued in favour of the bill in the legislature yesterday.

Citing the Star story that highlighted the plight of eight Somali women who lost their temporary agency jobs, Liberal MPP David Zimmer (Willowdale) said: “All of us here owe a duty to protect these kinds of temp workers. That’s what the legislation is designed to do.”

Sylvie Hyndman, owner and co-president of Dynamic Employment Solutions Inc., a 10-year-old employment agency, said yesterday she welcomes regulation in an industry that has attracted too many unscrupulous business people. She said while her company spends money and time training workers about their health, safety and employment standards’ rights, other agencies don’t bother and then win employers’ contracts by offering up cheaper labour.

“We could be quoting for the same business and theirs could be $2, $3 or $4 an hour (per worker) less than mine because they cut corners that cost lives in some cases, or they rob the temp,” she said.

The Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services, with a membership of more than 1,000 executive, permanent and temporary employment agencies, has a code of ethics for members. But membership is voluntary, so many agencies fall outside the association. There is currently no self-regulation of the industry.

ACSESS executive director Amanda Curtis said yesterday she couldn’t comment on the bill until she saw it.

“If this is something that is fair and equitable and would be good for the industry, we would obviously work with government to look at it,” she said.

THINK AGAIN - I never never read such claptrap. Dhillon has accomplished absolutely nothing in 4 years. His claims in his pamphlets which you obviously wrote are laughable they are so blatently untrue. Does Dhillon think the people of Brampton are idiots? Yet there he is deliberatly and repeatedly misleading people - guess he learned that skill from his boss Dalton McGuinty…

shrug. just look at the earned media above. you can’t buy that kind of press… but you can work hard to earn it. Vic’s a local guy working hard for his constituents. he isn’t a flashy guy with his grill all over the local fishwrap in staged photo-ops.

http://hansardindex.ontla.on.ca/hansardeissue/38-2/l050a.htm

Mr. Vic Dhillon (Brampton West-Mississauga): I’m very proud to rise today to represent the citizens of Brampton West-Mississauga after all the good news in our government’s latest budget.

Investments in Brampton and Mississauga announced by our government since we took office in 2003 include the Highway 410 extension to Highway 10; the Highway 427 environmental assessment; the new Brampton Civic Hospital; redevelopment of Brampton Memorial Hospital; the new cancer centre at Credit Valley Hospital; additions to the Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga; additional carpool lanes on Highway 403 in Mississauga; a $95-million contribution to Brampton’s rapid transit program, AcceleRide; $65 million in this year’s budget for Mississauga’s Transitway; gas tax funding for Brampton and Mississauga transit; GO Transit investments; a GTA youth centre; small class sizes; textbooks and education investments; and more police officers. These initiatives amount to well over a $1-billion investment in Brampton and Mississauga since our government’s election in 2003.

After eight years of Conservative rule, Brampton and Mississauga were in a situation of regressive policy and deficits, and infrastructure, health and education deficits. Highway 407 was sold for short-term political opportunism. That is a great example of Conservatives working against the public interest. Our residents have been shortchanged by previous governments for far too long.

FACT CHECK!!!!

FACT CHECK

* When I check the Credit valley hospital website – PC’s started the Cancer Centre, http://www.cvh.on.ca/admin/about_chronicle_events_2003.php

* The Trillum Health expansion was started by the PC’s, http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2003/05/23/c5056.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

* On the 410 extension – PC’s announced that too, http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2003/06/23/c6395.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

* Peel Memorial Development, PC’s announced that too, http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2003/05/23/c5089.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

And why did I read a letter from Linda Jeffries saying that the Memorial hospital site is going to be de-commissioned?

the pc’s were always good at photo-ops and reannouncements of announcements. the liberal government actually made it happen. that’s something they should be proud of.

Actually, if you read the press releases, actual money was allocated in each case. A press release with actual money. Go tell Credit Valley that $9 Million is just a press release.

Why is Dhillon LYING? And how is up with that Linda Jefferies letter?

credit valley hospital isn’t in Brampton. Ask linda jeffrey.

Having just witnessed Vic Dhillon’s performance at the Strong Communities Coaltion debate tonight I can honestly say I have never seen a worse excuse for an elected official in my life. Petty, immature, awful speaker, no substance at all, and too irresponsible to even stay for open questions. He actually left half-way through just as questions were asked - too scared to actually face his own voters. Up to now I just knew he was a liar and a lousy politician. Now I think he’s a slimy, dishonest and immature person who is an embarrasement to Brampton. And he’s closing our hospital. God willing he will need a new job come Oct. 11th.

whoooooooo wheeeeeeeeee you’ve got entitlement issues! pull the axe away from the grind stone and stick to the issues. talk about petty name calling!
Vic’s record:
-saved the local soup kitchen the knight’s table
-introduced (and became law) a bill protecting temp workers restoring protections the tories stripped away under harris/eves
-95 more police officers for brampton
-better PUBLIC schools, no strikes, test scores up, smaller class sizes
-ontario’s newest and biggest hospital
-reversing the $10 million cut from peel memorial
-renovating and keeping peel memorial open
-greenbelt to contain sprawl
-investments in sheridan college
-410 extension
-go transit expansion
-$100 million for brampton’s rapid transit initiative acceleride… still waiting on John Tory’s friend Steven Harper to deliver on their funding commitment
-brampton development corporation
-and so on and so forth…

Can Liberal Vic Dhillon hold Brampton West?

yes - Lib

It’s alomost over. All I can say is that the Conservitives have lead such a negative campaign in this election in Brampton West, one has to wonder if they even know that most people see that they are being duped.

I am refering to Peel Memorial Hospital.

I quess Mark Beckels and to a lesser extent the green party candidate just focus on false accusations about the Hospital being closed.

I guess the $95 Million the Liberals will be giving Peel doesn’t account for anything.

I understand that Neil Davis, the son of the former Premier and financial backer of Mark Beckles has funded the Brampton Board of Trade campaign to “save Peel”.

A little birdy told me that he has a number of buildings he owns in the area and he is worried that business will be affected.

Only a Tory would worry about his business first over peoples health.

That is complete crap Paul. I for one will enjoy the retirement party to end Vic’s lousy 4 years as an MPP. Brampton deserves better.

Dhillon hasn’t knocked one door. But most importantly on Oct 28th Peel Memorial is CLOSING!!!!

Tony Clement left money and plan for Peel Memorial. I know this because he knocked my door yesterday explaining this.

Why after 4 years have the Liberals let the doors close?

Beckles would be a much better representative for Brampton West and will keep these Liberals in check

Wow, Paul!!!!!!!! You are soooooooo caught up in “blaming” and “discrediting” the political party you feel the whole planet should “despise” as much as you do, it makes me feel YOU should run for office!!!! YOU sound as bad as THEY do! You sound like you would “solve” everything. NO ONE else is competent acording to you. RUN already. The world has been waiting for someone like you for a long time. Fix everything. You’re the miracle what with all the empathy and kind words and recognition for all the good that HAS BEEN DONE that Brampton has been waiting for. THANK GOD! I’m sure you’ll have my vote.?