Getting straight answer from government so simple task

The next time the good people who run Ontario decide to give away $4 million, I wish they’d either do it on the hush or do it right.
Sorry, if I sound a little on the bitchy side, but in the span of a few hours, I made more than 30 telephone calls trying to find out if York Region is included in a new provincial funding scheme, designed to help abused women get meaningful jobs.
Information provided by the Ministry Responsible for Women’s Issues stated that 450 women, mostly victims of violence, will be helped land jobs through agencies in a number of select communities.
York Region’s agencies are not included in the select areas.
If you’re an abused woman and would like to escape to safety and go on secure a decent job, you’re in luck if you live in Toronto, Ottawa, Nipising, Lambton Country, Fort Frances and Niagara.
But, if you’re a victim of violence living in Markham, Georgina, East Gwillimbury or Aurora, it looks as if luck’s not about to grace your doorstep. 
Since it’s my job to be nosey, I wondered why the ministry would send me a press release to publish in York Region newspapers if agencies for abused women in our nine municipalities are not factored into the $4-million mix.
In my quest to find some answers, I hit the phone. I called some once, twice, three, four and yes, five times.
The standard. “My name is Joan Ransberry and I’m calling from the York Region Newspaper Group, “ call was made to the following:
• The Ministry Responsible for Women’s Issues (renamed The Ministry Responsible for My Stress).
• Yellow Brick House
• YWCA in Markham
• COSTI in Markham
• Vaughan-King-Aurora MPP Greg Sorbara
• Thornhill MPP Mario Racco
• Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees
• York-North MPP Julia Munro
From some of those calls, I got zap, while for others, I was given referrals. From there, I placed calls to:
• The Ministry Responsible For My Stress
• George Brown College
• COSTI Immigrant Services
• The YWCA of Greater Toronto
• WoodGreen Community Services
One MPP’s office simply sent me to the Minister Responsible For My Stress, another MPP was annoyed because I’d spoken with two other MPPs. Another MPP’s office called and wanted to know the name of the person who referred me to the Ministry Responsible for My Stress.
Funny, but I thought the issue was helping abused women. 
Despite three calls to a York Region women’s shelter, I never did speak to a real live person. I did, however, leave messages in a general mailbox. As yet, nobody’s called me back.
In one of many calls to the ministry’s communications department, I informed the very polite, but ill-informed young guy that since York University and North York are not in York Region, the agencies there could not help our people. He later apologized for being, in his words, “Toronto centric”.
While polite government boy again referred me to Toronto’s COSTI, the person who eventually returned my call from the agency informed me that my question would have to be directed to someone else. Nor, could he give me the telephone number of the Markham-based COSTI office. I’d have to ask the same somebody else.
Government boy called back just minutes before deadline. Oh, yes. I’m expected to crank out a well-written, balanced and informative story, slotted for Thursday’s front page. 
Government guy had critical names and phone numbers for four Toronto-based spots that he’s confirmed do offer services to York Region residents.
Here’s what I found out.
The YWCA of  Greater Toronto, COSTI, George Brown College and WoodGreen Community Services do cater to York Region residents.
Now for reality: Just how an abused woman in York Region can tap into this $4- million government windfall linked to the four Toronto places isn’t exactly clear.
I filed the story with seconds to spare. I then decided I deserved a coffee. Couldn’t get to the java. My phone rang. I got a “you’re a bad girl”  call from an editor. I’d miss spelled the name Raine Lilieseldt, one of the contacts in the 35-telephone call story. I was then reminded of how important it is to do my job properly.
So, how’s your day going?