ACTUALITÉ / NEWS “Smart road” ideas please Cumberland ward councillor vision@eap.on.ca Cumberland Some of the plans the City of Ottawa has in mind for improvements to part of Highway 174 get a thumbs-up from Cumberland ward councillor Stephen Blais. “This is great news for Orléans and Cumberland residents,” Blais stated in a press release. “This new technology will allow us to monitor traffic conditions and provide residents timely information on congestion and potential alternative rou- tes.” Ottawa is moving ahead with developing an “intelligent” traffic system corridorforthesectionofhighwaybetween Trim Road and The Split. The goal is to reduce the chances of traffic jams along the part of the highway. Right now both the city’s traffic management system and commuters rely for the most part on real- time on-the-spot reports from drivers who may be phoning or texting in their informa- tion to either city hall or any one of several radio and television traffic report sites. As part of plans for the planned light- rail transit system for that area, and the futurewidening of that section of Highway 174, Ottawa public works will install traffic monitoring cameras to provide real-time monitoringanddetectionofpotentialtraffic jam situations. The current camera feeds are available to the public online at http:/ /traffic.ottawa.ca. Other planned improvements include: an Automated Vehicle Roadside Detection System (AVRD) to monitor traffic volume, vehicle speeds, and lane occupancy to better detect potential congestion situa- tions; installation of permanent Variable Message signs (VM) on off-ramp approaches to warn motorists about road conditions ahead, including alerts about road closures, lane blockages, and active construction. The city’s Traveller Information system will also see upgrades to provide more up- to-date reports to commuters and the general public through the intervactive website, phone, email, and various social media links. The goal is to both help public works adjust its operations to allow smoother traffic flows and also give motorists more advance information on road conditions so they can plan their own routes into and out of the city. Upper Canada schools keep Labour Day schedule vision@eap.on.ca Eastern Ontario Students at schools in the Upper Canada school board district can breathe a sigh of relief. They won’t be seeing an earlier start to their back-to-school schedule next term. The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) has decided to stick to the post-Labour Day weekend start for the school calendar. UCDSB trustees decided not to follow the example of the Catholic District School BoardofEasternOntario(CDSBEO),which is switching to an Aug. 30 start this year for its 2012-2013 school term. UCDSB consulted with unions, parents councils, and staff associations on a draft calendar proposalthatdidsuggestanAug.31school start date. It was discarded in favour of the Sept. 4 startup date with that last day of school being June 28.
Canadians are living longer and costs for the Old Age Security (OAS) are rising. On April 1, 2023 the Government of Canada plans to start raising the age of eligibility for OAS and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) from 65 to 67.*
What does this mean for you?
54 or older as of March 31, 2012
You may still obtain OAS/GIS at age 65
The age of eligibility for OAS/GIS will change gradually between 2023 and 2029
53 or younger as of March 31, 2012
Starting in July 2013, Canadians who are eligible for, but not yet receiving OAS will have the flexibility to delay receiving it in exchange for a higher monthly amount at a later date.
The number of working-age Canadians for every senior is decreasing**
6
5
The number of working-age Canadians per senior is decreasing, placing additional pressure on the OAS program.
4
3
2
1
0
1990 2030 **Source: 9th Actuarial Report on the Old Age Security Program 2012
For a free brochure or more information visit www.ServiceCanada.gc.ca/retirement or call 1 800 O-Canada (TTY 1-800-926-9105)
*Subject to parliamentary approval
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