Loading...
Times-Advocate, 1979-04-18, Page 20By JACK RIDDELL MPP Huron-Middlesex Times-Advocate, April 1$, 1979 Budget debate Of course, the Provincial Budget was the big news this week. Although most of the tax increases introduced appear comparatively small in themselves, they collec­ tively increase the problems of the average consumer, already hard hit by inflation. Gasoline tax is increased about 2 cents a gallon. Tax on diesel and aviation fuel is also increased, and for the first time, fuel used by railways will be taxed, which may well lead to higher train ticket prices. On July 1, Ontario Health Insurance Plan premiums will be raised, effective for the October benefit period. Single rate will rise from $19 to $20 a month; family rate will rise from $38 to $40 a month. Increased gasoline and fuel taxes will raise an extra $79 million, and OHIP premiums another $40 million in provincial revenues. Cigarette tax is up to 24 cents (from 22 cents) on a package of 20, and taxes on cigars and most pipe tobac­ cos are also up slightly. For the first time, basic cable TV service and telecom­ munication services are sub­ ject to retail sales tax, which will add about 50 cents a month to the average cable TV bill. Land transfer tax is in­ creased by 33% and the general rate for corporation income tax is increased to 14% from 13%. However, manufacturing and process-<i - Gabion Stone Calcium Chloride in 100 pound bags Sand & Stone Gravel Stone for Weeping Beds EARL LIPPERT TRUCKING LTD. Creditor: 234-6382 , ing industries, and mining, logging, farming and fishing operations are exempt from the increase. A 24-pack of beer will cost 10<F extra ($8.40 including deposit), and mark-ups on domestic liquor and wine will be raised, adding 20$ to the cost of a 25 oz. bottle of liquor or a 26 oz. bottle of wine. Some time this year, the government will announce increases for various provin­ cial fees and licences. The good news is that the 7% retail sales tax on all candy, confections and soft drinks priced at 49$ or less is eliminated, and the 10% entertainment tax will apply to ticket prices of $3.50 in­ stead of $3.00 as of July 1st. Sales tax has been removed from fabrics and clothing patterns, as well as smoke alarms for home use, air­ craft and aircraft parts purchased by carriers licensed to provide commer­ cial transportation, and materials bought by in­ dividuals to build their own solar heating systems will be eligible for a rebate of the sales tax, up to a maximum of $700. Succession and gift taxes are eliminated, effective midnight on April 10th. The sales tax will be taken off kitchen machinery and restaurant equipment, at least until March 31st, 1981, Purchases of furniture for Lengthy session regarding drain Tuckersmith township council held a special four- hour meeting Tuesday night for discussion on two drains, with engineer Henry Uderstadt of Orangeville in attendance. Four ratepayers affected by the Clarke drain called for an alternate proposal and this drain report was referred back to the engineer. The ratepayers were Nicholas Blom, Merlin Bender, John Thomson, Gunnar Hansen and Brian Pressey. Eleven ratepayers were present for discussion on the Broadfoot drain - Kenneth Gemmell, Robert Walters, Emmerson Coleman, Merton Keyes, Carl Richardson, Robert McCartney, John Broadfoot, Jim Cooper, Jim Papple, Wilson McCartney and Robert Broadfoot. This drain is estimated co cost $22,100 by the engineer. These ratepayers ex­ pressed no objections to the drain report and it was provisionally accepted by council. Court of revision for this drain will be held May use in tourist accommoda­ tion also will be exempt for the same period. The budget extends the present sales tax exemption on rates in Ontario tourist accommoda­ tion until 1981. Also the top mining tax rate will be cut from 40 to 30 per cent, and the basic ex­ emption from mining tax raised from the first $100,000 to the first $200,000 of min­ ingprofits. Criticising the Provincial Budget, Liberal Finance , Critic David Peterson, MPP (London Centre) said: “Overwhelmingly, the tax increases against the in­ dividual taxpayer are regressive, hitting low and middle income taxpayers hardest of all. In addition, these tax increases are uni­ formly inflationary, simply increasing costs for con­ sumers, so that this govern­ ment can continue to incur huge debts - now totalling almost $3600 for every worker in Ontario. “Supposedly, the Budget is designed to: (1) help create more jobs - yet dur­ ing the coming year fewer jobs will be created than last year; (2) provide incentives for economic growth and small business development - yet during the coming year real growth will be less than in preceding years; (3) con­ tinue responsible manage­ ment of provincial spending, thereby helping to contain inflation; (4) reduce the deficit - yet the Treasurer . projects the decline in his deficit on the basis of the assumption that his new venture capital program will either cost nothing, or cost so much that he will have to step in and limit the program.” In the last half of the past decade, expenditures on health, education and other social programs increased annually by an average of about 11%, while the in­ terest on our public debt has grown by an average of about 20% every year. It is now costing us $3.8 million a day to pay the in­ terest on our debt - $1,388 billion a year, 9.2% of the current budget, and an in­ crease of 12.6% over last year. A decade ago, when the present Premier came into office, the funded debt stood at $4.2 billion, It is now projected to be, by the end of the fiscal year, $15.3 billion, an increase of 263%. On a per capita basis, this amounts to an increase from $551 a person in 1970-71 to a projection of $1,791 per per­ son for this fiscal year. Both Opposition Parties will be giving responses to the budget next week, in­ cluding criticism of the WIN FIRST DRAW Alan and Helen Rankin present prizes to the first draw winners in Saturday s closing mixed bonspiel at the Exeter curling club. Accepting the awards are lee and Helen Webbei, Louise Giffin and Charlie Smith- I-A photo Women at Kippen area groups joined the congregation at St. Andrew’s Church,Kippen. Mr. & Mrs. Emerson Anderson have returned from apending the winter in Texas and Florida. Mr. & Mrs. Jack McGee, Blyth, visited with Mr. & Mrs. W. L. Meilis. Brucefield and St. Andrew’s Church, Kippen held a joint Good Friday service April 13 in St. Andrew’s. By MRS. RENA CALDWELL UCW Of st. Andrews Church met April 10 in the church and entertained ladies of Bayfield, Goshen, Varna, and Brucefield. Mrs. Jack Sinclair gave the worship assisted by Mrs. Percy Wright with Mrs. Ross Broadfoot at the organ. It was the Easter theme. President Mrs. D. E. Kyle welcomed the ladies, Speaker was Mrs. Kathy Pryde from Family and Social Services who spoke on child abuse and presented an excellent film. Sylvia Bell, Hensall favoured with several solos accompaning herself on the guitar. Palm Sunday, David Binnendyk, Gordon Love, Bill Kinsman, Sandra Finlayson, Julie Wright, Mrs. Robert Cooper, Mrs. John Kinsman, Mr. & Mrs. Percy Wright, Mr. & Mrs. Grant McGregor, Robert McGregor, David McGregor THE r Won't take gambling funds Christian school hopes to expand MIXED BONSPIEL CHAMPS - The 1978-79 season at the Exeter curling club came to a close Saturday with a mixed bonspiel. The second draw and overall winners are shown above. Jerry and Ann Grey present prizes to Karen and Muiiay Davison and Bev and Bill Simpson. T-A pholo —.8 PUBLICATIONS A YEAR •• -w1 1 " Now Available Exeter Times Advocate Valvoline NOT JUST FOR WINNING RACES LIMITED TIME ONLY All-Climate Motor Oil 10W30 By CLARENCE BOS In a move apparently designed to make Christian education more accessible to a broader popular base, the Clinton & District Christian School last Monday night halted the procedings which would have led to the con­ struction of a gymnasium onto the existing structure of the school. The society almost unanimously voiced its approval of the building addition proposed by the School Board, but a small majority of the membership did not approve of the School Board’s plans to finance the new addition. The new structure, which would have added to the Christian School not only a gymnasium but a foyer, I* broadening the local sup­ porting base of the school. Chairman of the School List change in interest rate Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan has an­ nounced a change in the interest rates charged by the Farm Credit Corporation. The interest rate for loans This months special - Lee Coloured Jeans $15 each. BOB CHAFFI STERLING FUELS 235-0405 CHECK US OUT FOR YOUR WESTERN RIDING GEAR Lee Boot Cut Jeans Western Boots & Belts Shirts & Hats Tack Horse Center We'll repair broken tack. Board, Mr. Jack Roorda, reported that there were some encouraging signs of interest in school mem- ■bership by parents in some local churches other than the Christian Reformed Church and that all such interest would be welcomed. The meeting which had been opened in praise to God for his many blessings and in prayer for a responsible decision was closed in thanksgiving and in prayer that children everywhere whether in the Christian School or in the Public Schools might be made aware of the love of Christ for them. kitchen and new dressing rooms would have cost the school society $141,000.00 and operating expenses. The membership of the society which refuses to accept a grant from Wintario (because it principally disagrees with the concept of gambling) was adamant in its refusal to accept the financial arrangements made by the School Board, __________________ ____ as long as there was any 'Gnder the'Farm Credit Act possibility that some of the financial burden of this construction might be passed onto the tuition costs of those who might not be able to afford them. It was generally felt that nothing should stand in the way of a sincere Christian and his wish to provide for his children a Christian education under a dedicated team of Christian teachers and in a Christian en­ vironment. It was suggsted to the School Board that it find an alternate method of finan­ cing the gymnasium and that it concentrate in the near future on all possiblemethods of lowering the general tuition rate especially by IX |X IX |X lX Health even your dow nand the Farm Syndicates Credit Act will be 10 % per cent. “These rates are reviewed twice a year and fixed on April 1 and October 1 for the following six months. The rates are based on the yields on government bonds,” said Mr. Whelan. The rate for the period ending on March 31,1979 was 10 per cent for loans under the Farm Credit Act and 9 % percent for loans under the Farm Syndicates Credit Act. He said that the increase is the result of continued up­ ward pressure on interest rates in the Canadian economy. Today’s change is required by the Regulations under the Farm Credit Act. SCOTT'S LEATHER & TACK SHOP 120 Sanders St. W,, Exeter Ph. 235-0694 THEN:YOU SHOULD TALK WITH OUR you CLINTON See PETE HUXTABLE at: The Devon Building Exeter On: April 26 BALL-MACAULAY fibmecare BUILDING CENTRE FBDB help IF YOU —Own and operate your own business —Manage a business —Expect to own and operate a business Management Services Officer HE’S HERE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES HELP THEMSELVES THROUGH Management counselling Management training Information on government programs for business 1036 Ontario Street, DEVELOPMENT BANK Strdtford, Ontario (519) 271-5650 (Collect) Opening new doors to small business. SEfMCES Government’s proposed Employment Development Fund for Ontario and the Small Business Develop­ ment Corporations plan, in­ tended to be an improve­ ment upon The Venture Investment Corporations Registration Act of 1977, which the Government itself admits has been a failure. PANELS 17‘ cectar^K Add value to your home with a real, aromatic Bi panel/ cedar closet! With just a hammer and saw you can have a fragrant, moth­ repellent cedar closet tomorrow. Just nail G&K Cedar Closet Panels to present walls. No matching no finishing. Bring in your closet measurements, we’ll supply panels and easy instruc­ tions. ALL-MACAULAY LTD. SEAFORTH 527-0910 HE NS ALL