Compelling evidence, health officials lobbying and public support has led to the amendment of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act to prohibit smoking in a vehicle carrying children under the age of 16. As of January 21, 2009, any Ontarian who is smoking or holding lit tobacco in a vehicle while a child is present can be charged by police. Although the maximum fine is only $250, voluntary compliance is the primary objective.
The aim is to protect children from the harmful effects of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS). SHS can be at least 27 times more toxic in a vehicle than a home because of the smaller space. Opening vehicle windows does not eliminate the risk. SHS contains the same 4,000 chemicals as first-hand smoke, such as tar, arsenic, acetone and ammonia, with some of the chemicals in higher concentrations.
Children are especially vulnerable to SHS because their bodies are still developing. They breathe more air relative to body weight and metabolize the SHS toxins faster than adults. Exposure to SHS can result in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), asthma, ear infections, cognitive and behavioural issues, and adult onset cancers.
Caregivers can share these tips to help parents to make their vehicle a smoke-free zone:
For free information or confidential support to quit smoking, smokers can call the Smoker’s Helpline at 1.877.513.5333 or visit www.smokershelpline.ca . Child care facilities can request a Thanx Mom or Dad for the smoke-free ride poster through York Region, Health Connection 1.800.361.5653.
Recently, the Toronto Police Services Board announced changes to its policy for agency participation in the Police Reference Check Program for the Vulnerable Sector. These changes were announced in the March 27 letter to all agencies having a Memorandum of Understanding with the Toronto Police Services.
A requirement of the new policy is that every agency must certify that its management (and human resources personnel, if any) have an understanding of the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) as it applies to hiring and/or approval of volunteers and at least one agency member whose responsibility includes review and assessment of the suitability of volunteer applicants will receive training on the Code as it applies to volunteer selection.
The training requirement, according to the Toronto Police Services letter, “may be met … through training on the Human Rights Code delivered by a consultant, the Ontario Human Rights Commission … (through an agency like Volunteer Toronto …) or through a self-study program (FREE) undertaken by the responsible Agency member using resources available on the Commission’s website”.
For self-study program on line: FREE
Ontario Human Rights Commission
http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/news/prc_iterimguide_item/view
For Forms: FREE
Police Reference Check Program
http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/prcp
Make sure to save the date October 8, 2009 on your calendars for the PCPC Annual General Meeting… watch for more information in the upcoming months!
Location: Mitchell Field Community Centre (89 Church Avenue – at Yonge and Finch)
Registration: 7:15pm
AGM: 7:30pm
As a non-profit, co-operative charity, we need you, our members, to approve the audit and elect the Officers for 2009/2010.
The Third Week in July is National Drowning Prevention Week! Next to traffic accidents, drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in Canada. Completely preventable, drowning can happen to anyone. Swimming is a life skill that everyone needs to learn – it is no different than fire safety or street-proofing our children.
For more information visit the Lifesaving Society’s website (www.lifesaving.ca) and for 10 Water Smart Tips please visit Water Smart Options link on the Lifesaving Society’s website (www.lifesaving.ca/main.php?lang=english&cat=watersafety&sub=water_smart)
Remember that all of these fundraising ideas, and many more can be found in the Governance Series Workshops (Member’s Only Section) of the PCPC website www.pcpcontario.org
Book Sales: Encourage members to donate books that they really enjoyed but no longer have space for and if possible, get in touch with local bookstores and ask for donations of new books; book sales can be dragged down by donations of dull books that no one really wants; then, not only won’t you make money, but you will have to dispose of the books!
The Douglas Utting Foundation
Address: c/o Fraser Beatty, First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1B2
Contact: Timothy G. Utting, President
Funding Interest: Mentally Disabled Children
Granting Region: Ontario
The Dov Zimmerman Z”L Foundation
Address: 134 Clanton Park Road, Downsview, Ontario, M2H 2E7
Contact: David Zimmerman
Funding Interest: Disabled Children
Granting Region: Toronto Area
The Drake Foundation
Address: 140 Fullarton Avenue, Suite 2004, London, Ontario, N6A 5P2
Contact: John C. Drake
Telephone/Fax: (519) 433-5101 (telephone); (519) 433-9193 (fax)
Funding Interest: Children
Granting Region: Ontario
Most of the little schoolhouses from yesteryear were painted red because red was the least expensive paint colour!
PCPC: Parent Co-operative Preschool Corporation
1571
Sandhurst Circle, PO Box 63512, Toronto, ON • MIV 1V0
Tel 416-410-2667 (Toronto)
E-mail info@pcpcontario.org
Website www.pcpcontario.org or
www.pcpctoronto.org
Terms and conditions
PCPC is a registered charity. You can make a donation
by credit card via PayPal here.
List of centres »
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e-newsletter 25: Bill 168, preventing violence in the workplace · June 17
Free seminars on Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) · May 18
e-newsletter 24: Full Day Learning · May 18
Full-Day Learning Act passed: update and links · April 29
PCPC centre featured in Star article · February 8
All 'Going Green' articles on one page »
Going Green 23 · January 15
Going Green 22 · December 17
Going Green 21 · December 4
Going Green 20 · November 20
Going Green 19: A Brief Overview of “Green IT for Dummies” · October 27
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