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Page 15, News, Tuesday, January 15, 1991 New education policy for religion programs Education Minister Marion Boyd has announced a policy which will permit public school boards to offer pro- grams of education about reli- gion that reflect the multifaith nature of Ontario's society but are not indoctrinational. "Our province enjoys great diversity. We can find strength in the constantly changing multifaith nature of Ontario by understanding how the belief systems of the world's religions provide individuals and communities with meaning and a sense of purpose," Mrs. Boyd said. "Programs in education about religion must ensure that children from different religious backgrounds learn how to grow. together through an appreciation of their dif- ferences." The policy was developed following a review of the Ontario Court of Appeal deci- sion of January 30, 1990, regarding religious education. These measures replace the interim policy which has been in effect since February 28, 1990, and include the follow- ing: * Boards of education may provide programs of educa- tion about religion in grades 1 to 8 during the school day for up to 60 minutes per week. * A resource document for grades 1-8 will be developed in English and French and will be distributed to educa- tors and other interested groups for comment within 18 months. * Boards of education can continue to make space avail- able in school buildings, as they do for various communi- ty-related activities, for indoctrinational religious classes outside the instruc- tional program of the school day. The Charter of Rights, however, requires equality of treatment, and boards that exercise this option must make space available to reli- gious groups on an equitable basis. ; This policy, which will become effective January 1, 1991, does not affect schools operated by the Roman Catholic Separate School Boards. The parts of Regulation 262 which deal with religious education in elementary and secondary public schools will be revoked and amended to reflect the policy. It was further announced that secondary schools may continue to provide an optional credit course in world religions, as specified in the History and Contemporary Studies cur- riculum guideline.In her announcement the Minister also made public the Report on Religious Education in Ontario Public Elementary Schools which was submitted to the previous government by Dr. Glenn A. Watson. Dr. Watson was asked to recommend options for an appropriate religious education policy for public elementary schools. "Dr. Watson's recommend- ations were made without benefit of the court decision, which was announced just a day before he submitted his report," said Mrs. Boyd. "While Dr. Watson recog- nized the necessity of a multi- faith approach to education about religion, one of his major recommendations is at variance with the court deci- sion." Legal counsel to the gov- ernment advised that to devote between one-third and two-thirds of a program to the study of one particular reli- gion, as suggested by Dr. Watson, would give primacy to that faith and would con- travene the Charter as inter- preted by the Court of Appeal. "I believe that the policy can be seen within the con- text of the long-established vision of elementary and sec- ondary public schools as open and accessible to all on an equal basis," commented Mrs. Boyd. curriculum Increases in Canada Pension Plan benefits Over 2.5 million Canada Pension Plan recipients will have their benefits increased effective January 1, 1991, the the Honourable Perrin Beatty, Minister of National Health and Welfare announced recently. The annual adjustment, which this year is 4.8 per cent, is based on increases in the Consumer Price Index, Statisuc Canada's cost-of-living measure. The Minister also announced increases for people who become eligible for Canada _ Pension Plan benefits in 1991. Here, too, rates are increased each year to keep the benefits in line with general increases in salaries and wages. For those who become eligible for benefits in 1991 the maxi- mum monthly retirement pen- sion at age 65 will be $604.86. A contributor can begin receiv- ing a retirement pension as early as age 60. The amount will be reduced for pensions beginning before age 65 and will be increased for those beginning after age 65. The maximum amount for a person becoming eligible for a disability pension in 1991 will be $743.64 per month while benefits for disabled contribu- tors' children and orphans of deceased contributors will be $113.14 per month per child. Maximum benefits paid on behalf of contributors who die in 1991 will be $339.96 for sur- viving spouses under age 65 and $362.92 for surviving spouses aged 65 and over. Survivor ben- efits are no longer discontinued on remarriage. Those whose benefits were discontinued on remarriage can apply to have their benefits reinstated. There is also a lump sum death benefit payable under the Can- ada Pension Plan; the maximum dayable in respect of contribu- tors who die in 1991 will be $3,050. Canada Pension Plan benefits are based on a person's actual zarnings and contributions for she period during whfich that Jerson could have contributed to che Plan. There are yearly mini- num and maximum earnings ievels between which persons contribute. For 1991 these levels are $3,000 and $30,500 respec- ively. The maximum contribu- ions are $632.50 for employees juring 1991. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Reminds you to stick to the Trail Every year, in Ontario, people are hurt and killed because they snowmobile on unsafe ice or ride on highways. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs urges you to os STICK TO THE TRAIL The Municipal Freedom of -- Information and Protection of Privacy Act ...1s now in effect. This Act covers all municipal corporations and a 'wide range of local including those in education, police, health, roads, public boards - utilities and conservation authorities. Each of these organizations is required to have - for access by the public - a listing of the general classes of records and personal information. While the law provides for a right of access to_these records, limited by certain specific exemptions, it also protects your personal information. Each organization will have an individual - designated as the Information and _ Privacy Coordinator - who can assist you when making a request. If, however, you are not satisfied with decisions, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (1-800-387-0073) _ will be available to review the case. Information, about this Act, can be obtained from: The Freedom of Information and Privacy Branch, Management Board Secretariat, 56 Wellesley Street West, 18th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1Z6 (416) 327-2187 VW Ontario oe oe ee rer rere ee Pe ewe CPV ECE CK EAP EES Foes IMAGINE'S New Year's Resolution 1103 I'm going to hug my kids more often - and help them learn what it means to embrace community causes, too. [NOTICE TO CREDI- P7C 4W6 TORS AND OTHERS Anyone having a claim aginst the Estate of ALEC TWEEDIE, Retired Maintenance Superintendent, late of the Town of Terrace Bay, District of Thunder Bay who died on the 29th day of November, 1990 is required on or before the 29th day of January, 1991 to file with the undersigned solicitors particulars of their claim duly verified, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to those claims of which Notice shall then have been given. DATED this 10th day of December, A.D., 1990. CARREL + PARTNERS Barristers & Solicitors P.O. Box 638 THUNDER BAY, Ontario eas a aa COe#nptavstestnanxeetner na