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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, February 22, 2012 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Generally, Canadians are considered a giving people. In times of natural disaster or conflict, we often are among the first to lend a hand. Even locally, we often prove ourselves to be selfless, eagerly contributing to a variety of causes if we are able. From donating to health fundraisers to volunteering in needy nations, and donating to local food banks here at home, Oakville residents, like others in Ontario are very generous. Why then, when it comes to organ donation, do we have such an abysmal record? A recent report released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), showed donor rates have stagnated in the country since 2006 and thousands of Canadians languish on wait lists for organs that may never come. Public awareness campaigns and countless stories of grateful organ recipients have done precious little to help increase organ donation in Canada. The numbers -- or lack of -- are both disheartening and staggering: · In 2010 there were 1,022 organ donors (which led to 2,103 transplant procedures) -- an increase of only five donors (29 procedures) since 2006 · 229 Canadians died waiting for an organ in 2010 · 135 people needed a new heart in 2010 -- 22 people died waiting for one · At the end of 2010, 3,362 patients were waiting for a new kidney -- the need for kidneys has doubled in the past 20 years Dr. Gary Levy, director of the University of Toronto Transplantation Institute, said Canada has a "disorganized, dysfunctional (organ donation) system with little accountability." He said work in a number of areas is needed, including better co-operation and co-ordination between hospitals and jurisdictions. Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO of Ontario's Trillium Gift of Life Network, said the agency has been working hard to increase donor rates in the province and that the CIHI report "does not represent the reality in Ontario." In 2010, she stated, there were 200 deceased donors in Ontario, up from 128 in 2001. While any increase is good, that number is hardly impressive, especially if you are the patient waiting for an organ that may never come. It is clear we can all do more when it comes to organ donation. Discuss it with your family and if you choose to be an organ donor, let your loved ones know your wishes now, as it could render decision making much easier in a time of crisis. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Donors needed OAS needs more study Re: OAS not sustainable on current path, Oakville Beaver, Feb. 16, 2012 I read with much interest the piece by our MP Mr. Young on the need for Old Age Security (OAS) reform. Unfortunately, politicians tend to give a limited view of any issue so their position looks good. The projected cost of OAS in the year 2030 given by Mr. Young does not indicate the government's forecast for the economy to that date nor does it indicate that all OAS payments are claw backed if the recipient earns too much. As income rises, the clawback increases to a point where some will see the clawback bite into their pension. Some OAS high income eligible retired persons will even prefer to forgo the OAS to avoid that situation. The real disheartening part is that those vulnerable seniors in the future earning less, will see the whole OAS clawed back for two years. Their sacrifice will not be matched by our well-pensioned MPs who recently rebelled at the suggestion they reduce their free air travel from 64 to 52 flights per year and rebelled at the suggestion that they reduce their airplane seats from business to economy. I guess what is good for the goose is not good for the gander. The letter also suggests that Canada should follow Australia and Germany. Nowhere did I see whether Australia and Germany have a pension system the same as Canada, so the comparison could be misleading. The next comparison was the fear one -- do this or we will end up like Italy and Greece. This comparison is also questionable. What we need from our politicians is a free and open presentation of all the information as the Parliamentary Budget Officer has suggested. Hopefully, we get that before a government with a majority forces its decision on us. G. Duncan, Oakville Letter to the editor Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Gairloch gallery needs creativity The Town of Oakville budget committee's notion of severing and selling off the gallery portion of Gairloch Gardens is beyond jawslacking. If the estate's house has become unsuitable as a permanent home to Oakville Galleries' needs, perhaps Oakville Galleries should indeed seek a new home, some other benevolent donor willing to provide one, or rethink the way they're using Gairloch, rather than carving up this Oakville jewel of a property, open to all, in the name of underwriting its own expansion. Surely, with a little creative thinking, the estate house can continue to honour the request by the donor to serve as a display space for some segment of Oakville's contemporary art community with more modest requirements. I stand with William Gairdner, whose grandfather, James Gairdner, bequeathed this rare and irreplaceable lakeside property to the Town for the benefit of all of the Town's residents. It is a gift to be protected and cherished. Intact. Some things are more precious than money. D. Mills, Oakville Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver or @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @BeaverSports @Halton_Photog