Jim Karygiannis is the Liberal MP for Scarborough-Agincourt. He was re-appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport on July 20, 2004. On June 28, 2004, he was re-elected to the House of Commons for a fifth consecutive term with 64% of the popular vote in his riding, which was among the top three ridings in Ontario. He served as Associate Critic for Revenue and Multiculturalism, from 1990 to 1993. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Karygiannis was Associate Critic for Small Business.

Representing one of the most ethnically diverse federal constituencies in Canada –Scarborough-Agincourt – Jim Karygiannis has been an effective voice of the people he serves, taking the concerns of his constituents, on a wide variety of issues, including immigration, taxation and justice to caucus for debate. Jim Karygiannis was a strong proponent of changes to the Young Offenders Act. In 1989, he introduced a Private Member’s Bill amending this Act. Although defeated, the government then introduced similar legislation.

He has been a representative of his constituents’ interests in many countries around the world that face turmoil as well as natural disasters. He has participated in rallies in support of the refugees of Agios Amvrosios in Cyprus. In the year 2002, he led two trade delegations, one to Pakistan and the other to China. He visited the refugees of Afghanistan at the Khyber Pass border with Pakistan and travelled to Somaliland on a fact-finding mission. He travelled to the earthquake zone of Ahmadabad in India in 2001 as well as joined the Team Canada Trade mission to China. In 1999, the President of the Hellenic Republic awarded Mr. Karygiannis the decoration of the “Officer of the Order of Phoenix”. This decoration was presented in recognition of his many public service contributions.

He has been active in community organizations, as a member of the Riverdale Kiwanis Club, and CKFM Children’s Fund Heritage Day Festivals.

Mr. Karygiannis was born in Athens, Greece and immigrated to Canada as a teenager in 1966. He is married, with five daughters.

Jim believes in the power and potential of the human race. He is often quoted as saying that R.A.C.E. stands for Respecting our neighbours, Accepting our differences, Celebrating our rich diversity and Embracing our heritage.

The green bin program is being run by a staff of the city government. They are going to each riding at a time, advertising and educating people about it. In a given budget year, they are able to over certain areas.

North York will be covered in Fall 2005. A meeting will be held on June 11th. Notices and email will be send out.

Ruby Dhalla, MP Brampton Central:

Born and raised in Manitoba, Ruby Dhalla graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Science. In 1995, she moved to Toronto to pursue her studies as a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, graduating in 1999. Since then, Dr. Dhalla has been engaged in private practice and is currently the owner of a chain of rehabilitation health care clinics in the Greater Toronto Area.

Dr. Dhalla has been extensively involved in numerous volunteer activities within the South Asian Community and in health care advocacy. A member of ACTRA, Dr. Dhalla has acted in feature films, television and commercials throughout North America.

She has been involved at many levels of the Liberal Party of Canada. In 1988, she began volunteering for her local candidate David Walker in his successful bid to become the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North Centre, hitherto a CCF/NDP stronghold since 1921. In 1989, she was one of the youngest Liberals to co-chair a senior party annual general meeting.

She has been chair for the Multiculturalism Committee for the Young Liberals of Canada and was appointed to the National Women’s Commission under former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. She subsequently volunteered her assistance in Prime Minister Paul Martin's leadership campaign.

Racial profiling
- Not aware of this either

- Called city hall at 905-356-7521, but told that the Green Bin is not dealt with through them. Asked to call the Region at 905-685-1571

I asked for some updates on the progress of the Green Bin Initiative:
- There has been an increase in diversion rates
o diversion rate – amount of material going into designated boxes…
- 2004 diversion rate numbers are currently being calculated, as they just finished the waste audit on 3 neighborhoods
- Although the diversion rates are increasing, it doesn’t mean all people are using the green build
o a lot of weed and yard waste so it might skew numbers

I was given the diversion rates between April and August 2003:

Prior to Green Bin
20% recycling
14% organics to composite
66% going to the landfill

After Green Bin implementation
24% recycling
24% organics
54% waste going to landfill

So increase in recycled and organic material
Amount of material being land fill has been decreased

In order to help this program, grey and blue boxes were provided, as well as 2 different calendars in the same package. This may be a reason why the diversion rates have not increased more since some people look at the wrong calendar and have not yet adapted to the new schedule and

A new campaign is to look at grass cycling
- promoting leaving grass clippings on the lawn and perhaps will start banning the collection of grass from the side of the street.
- main problem is odor, but leaving grass on the lawn is the more cost effective way to deal with the issue.
- In this way there are no collection costs or processing costs
- As well, compositing is the best way to handle organics
- we promote backyard composting, and using the curb side for dairy products and meat products

Before moving to the provincial scene, Linda served as a City Councillor for Brampton, having been first elected in 1991. In 1999, Linda was appointed by Brampton City Council to serve on a team that evaluated and ultimately struggled with the very complex issue of hydro deregulation. She helped steer the city through the complex sale of Brampton Hydro, saving residents millions of dollars and providing the best protection for employees of Brampton Hydro and residents.

As a Councillor, Linda had a strong record representing the needs of local residents. Linda chaired the city's Administration and Finance Committee for a number of years and in that role often chaired the city's Budget Committee. Linda introduced changes to boost transparency and increase public and council access to the city's budget review process.

In addition to her duties as a Councillor, Linda played a vital role as a community volunteer. Linda sat on the Board of Trade's Governing Council and as a City of Brampton appointee on the Hydro One Board of Directors. She is an active volunteer with the Brampton Youth Hockey Association and the Peel Panto Players.

On October 2, 2003, Linda was elected Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Brampton-Centre. In addition to her parliamentary duties, Linda is a member of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-provincial, municipal and federal relations, Chair of the Legislative Assembly Committee and Chair of the 905 Region Caucus.