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Letter sent to Minister Gerretsen regarding the Proposed York Region Odour Control Facility
    I am writing to you to express the concerns of many local residents of my riding...
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Durham’s Accident Awareness receives an early gift from Insurance Bureau of Canada
    Durham’s Accident Awareness receives an early gift of $5,000 from Insurance Bureau of Canada at MPP Wayne Arthur’s office in front of a crashed vehicle.
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Rouge Valley Ajax-Pickering Emergency Department Sneak Preview
    After years of planning, fundraising and construction, the community finally got a preview of the newly-expanded emergency department at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering (RVAP).
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Centennial College - Groundbreaking Ceremony
    On October 23, 2009, Centennial College officially announced the groundbreaking for the new Library and Academic Facility at the Progress Campus.
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Groundbreaking Celebration at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus – new Instructional Centre
    On September 24, 2009, I had the pleasure of taking part in the ceremony to mark the groundbreaking for the new Instructional Centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.
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Provincial News
Test Scores Rise For Ontario Students
    McGuinty Government Preparing Students For Future Success
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Ontario Attracts Clean Energy Manufacturing Plants
    McGuinty Government Brings Investment and up to 1,400 Jobs To Ontario
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Keeping Drivers Safe
    McGuinty Government Implements New Drinking And Driving Measures
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Consultations Begin On Public Sector Compensation
    McGuinty Government Takes Next Step In Plan To Manage Responsibly
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Province Takes Action on Eco Fees
    McGuinty Government Committed To Keeping Household Hazardous Waste Out Of Environment
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Ban On Hand-Held Devices Starts In October McGuinty Government Making Ontario's Roads Safer

September 30 – Ontario's ban on hand-held devices while driving will take effect on October 26, 2009.

The new law will make it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices.

Following a three-month period that begins October 26, where the focus will be on educating drivers, police will start issuing tickets on February 1, 2010.

Studies show that a driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a crash than a driver focused on the road.  Other studies show that dialing and texting carries the highest degree of risk of all cell phone-related activities.

Police, paramedics and firefighters will continue to be allowed to use hand-held devices when performing their duties. All drivers may use hand-held devices to call 9-1-1. 

Read more about Ontario's new road rules for the use of wireless communication and electronic entertainment devices while driving, including exemptions.

Review key research on the effects of driving while distracted.

Read scenarios that show how drivers can make a few simple changes to comply with the new law.

Find out more about the Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation Act, 2009.