SECTION 2 - Examples of Materials
Distribute hand-out # 10 - Ontario admits role in deaths. Have participants read silently and sum up in their own words. Clarify as necessary. Re-write the statements as direct quotes.
Ask, "From the chronology, what were the guidelines that the government violated?"
Point out that before privatization, the ministry and the medical officer of health would have been told of problems. Government labs could have been disciplined for not following those guidelines - they would be held accountable. Private labs have no legal duty to report contamination to health authorities.
Ask, "Why do you think these guidelines were violated?" If participants come up with cutbacks and privatization, write these words on the flipchart. If not, consider participants' opinions and then proceed to the next activity.
Distribute hand-out # 11 - Before Walkerton ... Read aloud and discuss. Write key words and points on the flipchart.
The high cost of common sense
Write the words common sense on the flipchart. Discuss the possible meanings.
Ask if participants know how these words were used by the ontario Conservative Party and its leader, Mike Harris. Write Common Sense Revolution on the flipchart. See if participants know what kinds of promises the party made and record key points on the flipchart - e.g. government downsizing, tax cuts, cutbacks in public services, municipal reform.
Ask, "What did this have to do with the Walkerton water crisis?" Discuss ideas. Write key words on the flipchart.
Distribute handout # 12a - The high cost of common sense. Have participants read the article silently, then discuss the main gist as a group. Write key points on the flipchart. Have participants reread the article silently .
Turn to handout # 12 b and have participants read the statements and fill in the blanks. They will need to refer to the article to do this. participants can work individually or in pairs. When finished, have participants read aloud to check their responses. Discuss.