HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-11-08, Page 7Report
BY MURRAY GAUNT
The speculation tax on Ontario land is
to be removed, under legislation intro-
duced by Revenue Minister Lorne
Maeck. The tax - 25 per cent of the
profit on land bought and sold without
substantial improvements - was intro-
duced in 1974 at a time of rampant
speculation and high profits in land
deals. '
Treasurer Frank Miller, in his first
statement in the Legislature as Prov-
incial Treasurer, said that the tax had
the desired , effect of curbing specu-
lation, but had also given Ontario a bad
name among investors. The Liberals
supported the government's decision to
abolish the tax. David Peterson (London
Centre), the,,Liberal finance critic, said
he felt it had served its purpose and that
its removal will be helpful in -"setting a
decent investment climate in the
province."
Under questioning from the Opposi-
tion, the Treasurer has disclosed that
the Ontario Government's spending
deficit has climbed to $1.48_billion this
year, almost 41% higher than forecast
in the 1978/79 budget. He has also
abandoned the promise made by former
Treasurer Darcy McKeough in 1977 to
balance the budget by 1981. That is "an
unrealistic date", he said. However, he
hopes to set a new target when he
learns the impact of the federal budget,
to be tabled in November.
He said a lagging economy has
reduced Ontario's income from personal
and corporate- income taxes, federal
projections for personal taxes have been
over-estimated, and Wintario lottery
profits have been cut by the federally
operated Loto Canada's aggressive
Aub rey's
Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, November 8,. 1978—Page 7 •
Queen's Par
advertising.
As well, Mr. Miller said, much of
Ottawa's spending ;restraint program
depends on lower transfer payments to
the provinces. That could cut Ontario's
revenue by. $200 million this year, he'
said.
The government, which put' up $28
million 'to entice Ford Motor Co. of
Canada, Ltd. to build a new plant iii.
Windsor, also may give incentives to
the pulp and paper industry, Mr. Miller
said.
He insisted, however, that the
industry will have to meet "a stringent
program" of environmental standards.
Both Opposition Parties attacked the
government over its handling of the
economy. Stuart Smith emphasized the
fact that the government is now paying
$3.3 million a day in interest alone.
Liberal finance critic David Peterson
said the Treasurer should not have used
federal figures- to predict income tax
revenues, because these have been
incorrect Tor the past few years.
Legislation which would allow adopt-
ed children, to discover the identity of
their natural parents- under controlled
circumstances was defeated in the
Legislature.
A proposed amendment to the Child
Welfare Act would have allowed
adopted children to ascertain the
identity of their biological parents
provided both the adoptive and natural
parents agree.
The• Government has introduced•
legislation to extend the present six per
cent ceiling on most residential' rents
until at least the end of 1979. The
Cabinet can decide, at the end of 1979,
whether economic conditions justify a
change in the ceiling.
Under the new legislation; landlords
and tenants, in buildings with six or
fewer units, could agree, to an increase
of more than 6% with the approval of a
provincial commission. The commission
which will amalgamate the powers and
responsibilities of rent review officers,
landlord -tenant advisory bureaus and
small claims and county courts, would
be headed by a board 'of directors and
staffed by . regional commissioners
'travelling around the province to
mediate and adjudicate disputes. Local
offices would be set up to provide
information and advice to the public.
The commission • would have the
power to collect rents and hold, the
money in trust in, .cases where it
believed landlords were acting irrespon-
sibly.
The new legislation will not. apply •to
housing owned or managed by govern-
• meet, buildings not occupied, before
..January 1976, or mobile homes` not in
existence before that date.
Ontario's/Deputy Minister of Com-
munity and Social -Services has been
found guilty of contempt of court for
refusing, following an order from , the
Grievance Settlement Board, to rein-
state a counsellor convicted of kicking a
retarded woman in the face. The
Minister has announced that the
counsellor will go back to his job at the
Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia,
"under constant and direct supervision
of a superior residential counsellor,
until such time as ' a more satisfactory
solution can be found".
Last week, the Minister introduced a
bill that would rescind the grievance
board's decision and order a new
hearing. Mr. Norton has said that he
has reservations about the legislative
route, but that it may be necessary "if
no alternatives can be found".
bse rvations
•
I am very sorry, I was asleep when Wm.
(Bud) Hamilton came to my room, to solicit
my support in the coming election for
reeve. - - — -
I have no reservation in telling you
publicly, that he will have all the support
that is in my power to give.
I have several reasons for making this
statement.
I am not very well acquainted with Mr.
Hamilton, personally, but I do read the
Lucknow Sentinel and the council reports,
and can not help but have the feeling, that ,
he is a forceful man, and believes in
himself to the extent, that he is prepared
and willing to backup' any statement he
,makes, or any requests from his fellow
members.
I believe this was proven -twice in the last
year; in his retirement from council, and
council's refusal to accept his resignation.
This is the type of man that Lucknow
needs, as I have . pointed out in past
articles, in order to make it a prosperous
town.
What, is the ,use of, having- a four man
council and eeve,-, unless they are
individuals with their own thoughts and
beliefs and are willing to stand up for,
them.
When a man is nominated for council, I
believe he should ask himnself .a number of
questions, such --as, "Can I spare the
necessary time, at any time I am called
on?"; "Am I interested enough in the
welfareof the voters to give that time, at
any cost?"; "Am 1 interested in Lucknow
as a town to give it my best in forethought
and planning for not only this year, but
years to come?"
Unless a man 'has thee convictions and
possibly many more, I do not think he
should accept the nomination and election.
Unless these men have thoughts of this
type and carry them out duringtheir term
in office, I believe it to be. more of a
disgrace, than an honour to have served for
that term. •
the corporation? bo
Whyare business places moving outside
we not •have room for
them to expand within the "village limits?
It does not seemreasonable that with the
number of new 'houses and apartments that
have "beenbuilt and ::sold; that industry
should be allowed to move out and leave
the burden of taxes all on the home owner
-and the -few-- small --stores on --main street.
The reeve made the statement that the
town was in very good financial standing at
the recent ratepayers' meeting.
This I can readily -understand, because
there is no money spent, but for absolute
necessities.
In looking -into the, future, let's say ten
years from now, I cannot see how it would-
be
ouldbe possible for him to make that statement,
unless council gets busy and does some-
thing about industry,, , which is 'the
backbone of any thriving town, as proven
to us from every direction around us.
Yes, it is a wonderful thing to have local
organizations and clubs go ahead,and build
swimming' pools and community centres,
and 'raise the money to pay for them, and
then give them to the town all free and
clear.
Those are very generous 'acts on the part
of a few people, but what has the town
itself to give us. Where is the lift we need?
Let's hope the next year will give us
some hope for a town-, that is now going
backwards, and a promise of a more
forward looking town.
Depend on
Classified Ads
As a businessman in this community for
several years and have spent 10 years in
council and 27 years as a Volunteer Fireman I
would appreciate your 'support in the up
coming election, November 13.:
Vote
Wm A. 'Bud' Hamilton
For Reeve
Thank You
For Transportation Election Day
Dial 528-3006 or 528-3616
Now for a
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on the purchase of a Simplicity
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(AT PARTICIPATING DEALERS ONLY)
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Simplicity
GREER T V &ELEC. TRIC
PHONE 528-3112 LUCFtNO7(f.
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