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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-04-02, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1997 Federal PC leader promises jobs, tax cuts By Carla-Ann Oud Goderich Signal-Star The leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party promised more jobs through tax cuts, the elimination of interprovincial tariffs and an improved education system, at a Goderich town hall meeting last week. Jean Charest pitched the job­ making focus of the newly conceived PC policy platform to a packed Goderich hall March 27, finishing his southern Ontario tour which included stops in Toronto, Brampton, London and Guelph. "We know that the issue of jobs continues to be at the centre, the number one preoccupation of Canadians, and it should be," said Charest. While Americans have less unemployment and more dispos­ able earnings, mismanagement of the Canadian economy creates the opposite results in Canada, said Charest. The economy could be geared to create jobs if Canadians adopt three key policy areas from the PC platform, he said. By lowering personal sales tax and payroll taxes, a Charest government would urge people to spend more in the economy, thus creating jobs. Secondly, free trade among the provinces and territories would save jobs in a system which now makes it easier for a Manitoban to export products to Quebec, by having them sent from the U.S. Jobs would also result from an education and training system measured against other countries and wired for more computer literacy. A Charest government would stop the cuts in post-secondary education and set up scholarships for "the needy students who are the best and brightest," said Charest. To help youth get jobs, Charest said he will use employment insurance funds for mentor programs, internships and co­ operative education. "It is beyond me, that in 1997, to this day, we continue to have income support programs that pay a young person to stay home and do nothing." Such policies, said Charest were drafted from the ideas of party members and people across Canada. One man travelled 50 miles from Gorrie to find out if voters will continue to have a say in policy after a politician is elected. John Brown said he voted for Helen Johns, the MPP for Huron, but he did not vote for hospital closures. Taxpayers should have more control over the running of the country through binding referen­ dums, he said. In one area, voters would have a higher level of control, explained Charest. He would pass a law, making the prime minister and the cabinet responsible to balance the budget. Questions from the audiences picked up Charest's economic theme. A Reform Party supporter challenged PC support for deducting more money from paycheques lor the Canadian Pension Plan. Doug Fines of Goderich said, when he did the calculations for his employees, the Tories’ proposed cut for payroll taxes did not offset the CPP increase. Unlike the Reform Party, Charest said, the Tories do not want to abolish the CPP and renege on the promise to Canadians. Another audience member, Bob Bregman said he wanted a stronger commitment to continue agriculture tariffs until there is a level field. Charest said, his party would try to protect the marketing boards. If their abolishment could not be avoided, he would push for the time needed to make the transition. In taking other questions, Charest said his party would repeal gun registration, and pursue low inflation and low interest rates. The appearance of the federal leader of the Progressive Conservative drew Tories from other ranks, including former Huron-Bruce MP Murray Cardiff, candidates for Bruce-Grey, Perth- Middlesex and Huron-Bruce ridings, Bruce MPP Barb Fisher and Huron MPP Helen Johns. As Charest began his talk, he acknowledged his provincial Tory counterparts. "We wish you all the best as you implement the common sense revolution for Ontarians." Johns said, the federal and provincial policies may differ, but it is encouraging to hear Charest talk about stopping the down­ loading of programs to the provincial level. Charest had criticized the federal Liberals for balancing the books by cutting 40 per cent from the education and health care cash transfers to the provinces. If elected, a Charest government would choose to cut differently; it would focus on the delivery of services, not the administration of government, he said. Others in the audience also looked to the political future with Remembering 125 years CMrating ‘Brussels' History In September 1870, if you had looked north-east across the river from the corner of Mill and Elizabeth Streets, you would have seen Sherriff's Mill. The old stone grist mill, was later owned by William Lowry and operated by John Agar, Charlie Garniss and Cameron Adams. The western end of the old Topnotch Mill is built on the foundation of this building. This photo, donated by the late Jack Bryans, is featured in the commemorative history book Our Story — Ainleyville to Brussels, 1872- . 1997. Charest. If not the next prime minister, Charest could become the leader of the opposition because he is addressing what matters to Canadians, said Don Finnie of St. Marys. There was another goal presented for Charest. "I hope he can bring our party back," said Reta Snyder of Grand Bend. Landfill costs divide council The issue of who will pay for improvements necessary to allow Morris arid Exeter landfill sites to be used as north and south zone landfills continues to divide Huron County council. After Steve Janes and Vito Cirone of Gore and Storrie present­ ed their consulting company's draft of the Huron County Waste Man­ agement Master Plan at Thursday's county council session, reeve after reeve rose to say it shouldn't be up to their taxpayers to help other municipalities solve their waste management problems. The county has approved spending $20,000 for Exeter and $15,000 for Morris on engineering costs needed to amend the certificates of approval needed to enlarge those landfills. That approval is necessary for the two sites to take garbage from a larger area. The two-zone plan was accepted by council last year as an alterna­ tive to the building of a new county landfill in Ashfield Twp., a project that was expected to cost millions of dollars. But since escaping that expense, municipalities, led by Blyth's Mason Bailey, have object­ ed to paying for expansion of the other sites when their own landfills have years of capacity left. Bailey again complained about the county, or other zone munici­ palities, being asked to finance the improvements. Studies conducted by the Blyth-Hullett landfill com­ mittee showed more than half of the site could be mined, giving longer life to the site and making it possible the two municipalities will never have to use the Morris site, he said. At a time when the provin­ cial government is cutting funding to the municipalities, it was impor­ tant not to take on extra expense, he said. But Janes warned Bailey that mining of a landfill is not as simple as it sounds. "Landfill mining is not an easy task. It's a costly operation. It isn't the recovery of plastic and metals. You just reposition (the landfill contents) and reduce the amount of cover." He warned the Ministry of Environment and Ener­ gy (MOEE) has concerns over min­ ing and it may be difficult to get approval. But Bailey wasn't alone in his objections to the costs of the zone sites being shared by municipalities that still had considerable capacity left in their landfill sites. Jack Coleman, reeve of Stanley argued his township's landfill has a 30-40 year capacity and won’t like­ ly ever need to use the Exeter site, which is the zone site for his municipality. Bill Carochan, reeve of Tucker­ smith, suggested that if the county can pay for engineering studies needed to set up the zone sites in Exeter and Morris, it should also pay for engineering needed to extend the life of other landfills since this would, in turn, extend the life of the zone sites. But Janes pointed out extending the use of the Morris and Exeter sites is relatively simple and inex­ pensive, requiring only a change in the approved design and operation plan by MOEE. Expanding any of the other sites would require a full environmental assessment process which is much more time consum­ ing and costly. Once this is done, and with the county being involved, the number of users of these sites can easily be expanded to include other zone municipalities which have run out of landfill capacity at their own sites. Janes pleaded with municipalities to work together on the project. There has to be a balance, he said, between what happens with munic­ ipalities like Wingham which are at the end of their capacity, and Stan­ ley that has many years capacity left. While working out compensa­ tion will be difficult, he said, "It's a darned sight simpler than if we had built a new landfill. "I don't think Morris and Exeter want to unfairly treat the other municipalities," he said. "Neither do they want to be unfairly treated by other municipalities." Both municipalities have a con­ siderable capital investment in their sites, he said. Some of the improve­ ments needed, such as weigh scales so garbage from outlying munici­ palities can be weighed, aren't required by the host municipality itself. "You will not be successful if you do not deal with the issues of compensation and mitigation up front," he warned. He also warned the necessity to get the matter set­ tled before garbage disposal becomes a crisis. "We don’t have a problem that is a nightmare today. We do have a nightmare in three years when the first municipality needs in (to the zone landfill) if there isn't a policy in place." Continued on page 24 WEDDING WHYTE - DRISCOLL Londesboro United Church was the setting September 7, 1996 for the ceremony celebrating the marriage of Crystal Whyte and Benjamin Driscoll. Crystal is the daughter of Nick and Joan Whyte of Seaforth, and Ben is the son of John and Mary Lou Driscoll of Walton. Rev. Paul Ross of Londesboro and Rev. Colin Swan of St. Thomas officiated. Organist Margaret Whitmore accompanied Lisa and Lori Strong. Pam Nolan of Guelph was maid of honour and the bridesmaids were Sharri MacDonald of Brucefield, Kerri Wheeler of Guelph, and Lori Lynn Campbell of Seaforth. Blaine Marks of Seaforth was best man. The ushers were Brian and Murray Whyte, brothers of the bride, of Seaforth, and Scott Driscoll of Guelph. A reception followed at the Seaforth Community Centre. The couple honeymooned at Lake Louise, Alberta, and are- residing at R.R. #2, Seaforth.