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Times-Advocate, 1978-12-14, Page 15 (2)By JACK RIDDELL MPP Huron•Middlesex I asked the Minister of Agriculture and Food -in the Legislature this week if he was aware of the concern that has been expressed over recent purchases of blocks of agricultural land in the Counties of Bruce, Huron. Kent and Lambton, by foreign interest and if he could tell us how widespread this practice is. I also asked if the Minister would immediately under- take ,a survey of current foreign ownership of rural lands in Ontario and monitor all new land transfers to Foreignland purchases private or corporate foreign ownership,' as was recommendted by the On- tario Federation of Agriculture at its recent an- nual meeting. It was at this meeting that 1 was able to observe spark- ed iftense concern among some farmers at what appears to be a new flurry of Ontario land purchases by non -Canadians. The purchases seem to be concentrated in the Counties , mentioned but since raising, the question. I have been in- formed that such purchases have been taking place all` across Ontario. However. this has been a continuous concern for at least five years with periods of more intense buying activity from time to time. Few farmers feel comfor- table in arguing that non - nationals should be prohibited absolutely from Leave this form (filled out) for him . then all he has to do is head for Boyles. We'll even wrap his gift for him and he could even n our $50 gift draw. COLOR Main St., Exeter OPEN UNTIL 9:00 P.M. FROM DEC: 18 owning Canadian real estate or farmland. What causes worries is that large amounts of foreign invest ment frequently concen Crated in sizable blocks o holdings raise questions about future control of Cana- dian resources and com- munities. Naturally such purchases by outsiders push up land prices for local farmers wishing to buy. Also much of the concerns stem from a lack of knowledge about the extent of foreign ownerships in an area. the source and nature of such large amounts of ready cash. the long term intent of foreign purchases regarding the use of land and the lack of any The Ontario ,Government seems to have little exact knowledge about this phenomenon as of the last five years. Its latest systematic survey of the problem was in 1973 by the Sefpct Committee on Economic and cultural Nationalism. As it then appeared that only about one percent of Ontario real estate was own- ed by non -nationals. the government has not seen fit to monitor the trend since. However. due to general knowledge of much purchas- ing of Ontario real estate. including farms. in 1974. the Government did amend the Land Transfer Tax Act to in- crease this tax on purchases of, land by non-residents of Canada to 20' of the purchase price. In fact this tax is easily dodged as a local agent for the purchaser can register as an Ontario company. Registration can be ac- complished without listing foreign based principals and the purchase is registered as to a domestic company. , It is interesting to note that Prince Fdward Island and the three Prairie Provinces have each taken legislative measures to restrict ownership of farmland by non -Canadian residents and 1 am surprised and disappointed that the Minister of Agriculture and Food for Ontario. has such a effective controls over such purchases. - announced federal payments. With effect January 1st, the guaranteed income level will be $343 a month for single people and $666 a month for married couples, if both spouses qualify for the guaranteed income supplement. These increases will affect about 244,000 elderly residents of Ontario. Some 2.500 additional senior citizens who do not qualify: for the federal pension and supplement will receive a monthly increase equivalent ypili to the federal increase. The Minister said this will cost Ontario about $600,000 a . year. This week the Provincial Treasurer .told the Legislature that unemploy- • ment in this, Province rose fnarginally from 6.1 to Ifik 6.6", of the labour force between October and November. Times -Advocate, December 14, 1978 • Pug* 15 • :/ss'C•t�l�tl sl s' t i ♦g♦ ♦ 1 ► ► ► 1 ► 1 ♦ ► ► 1 ► ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ► ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 1y�♦ ♦ ►�► ♦ ►s1 ♦ ♦ �♦ f� 1� Y �::�::f+::V::Y::V::�..V:.!/ �: >�;•Y:SY::)� :�:.i�s:�:l�'s �d�s:�slls t�s1/d�sl�s:�::�s 1c:�s:�d�s �s:ll�s:lds:ll�:l s:,l�i Latest unemployment „4"j figures show an overall in- crease. bringing the total unemployed to 312,000. This -.7V is despite the fact that On- tario was the only province to increase its work force during the period in ques- tion. The Treasurer described the rise in the number of un- •4) employed as "regrettable", but entirely due to, the in- crease in the work force. Some 154.000 new jobs 7/45 were created in Ontario ,•C}► between November '77 and last month. but due to the large number of people entering the work force. the seasonally adjusted un- „C♦ employed rate is now at 7.37 up .3 over the previous -month. The Treasurer said he ex- :TO pected to sign an agreement ''' with Ottawa in the near future. which would cover heavily hit areas of Eastern On"coariomplete and hc pro" o ed a • ,k4 . "complete package" of job J creation measures to com- • 0 hat unemployment. 1I Pick doll lackadaisical attitude about . d theraw ticket the foreign purchases of A Christmas bazaar was' held by Beta Theta Chapter of Beta ,Sigma Phi, farmland Beginning in" January. single elderly- people in this Province who receive guaranteed income December 5 at the home of supplements will get 520 SallyLou Raymond which r more a month: The Minister was decorated for the of Revenue also told the Christmas season. Legislature that elderly Mrs. Ada Dinney acted as married couples who auctioneer of the many gift • receive the supplement will .i t em s ma d e by t he receive 510 00 extra a members. She also drew the A month. name of the lucky winner of The increase in the the doll and wardrobe who guaranteed income level en- was Mrs. Barbara Ford. Mt: - ,AS.sures that Ontario residents eter Refreshments were who are 65 or older will served by the social com-A ; rO benefit fully from recently mittee. ri CAROUSEL TOURS AND r Travel ere ani PRESENT EXCITING LAS VEGAS Nonstop direct charter. FEB. 9 to 12 4 DAYS - 3 NIGHTS FRIDAY TO MONDAY .• 1101:!10114r4; to,Las Vegas from Stratford, St. Marys, & Lucan Flamingo Capri Hotel —$ in the heart of Centre Strip i. PACKAGE INCLUDES • 'Coach transportation 10 and rom Toronto Internationale Airport. • Round trip non-stop jet transportation via 727 ;to Las Vegas • Complete in-fliht service including com- plimentary drinks. • Round trip transfers between Las Vegas airport and hotel in air conditl ped bus. • Baggage transfers and hotel pre -registra- tion. • Gratuities to Las Vegas skycaps and hotel bellman for luggage handling. • Fun coupon booklets. • Nevada State hotel tax. OUR MOTTO: IF YOU CAN'r COME TO US, THEN w'i'LL COME TO YOyll NOT INCLUDED • Canadian departure tax of $8 00 per person • U.S. departure tax of $3.50 per person. • Cancellation protection of $10.00 per per- son. Gratuities for hotel maids and items of personal nature. Note — Prices are based on double occupancy --- per person for 4 days 3 nites. (Friday to Monday) — single room is extra, triple room same as double. The Travel ( a Festival Square — Stratford — 10 Downie St. THE COMPLETE AND COURTEOUS TRAVEL SERVICE PHONE 271.8031 OR IF LONG DISTANCE ZENITH 5.0310 V pre -Christmas. FURNITURE SALE NOW YOU CAN USE YOUR WHITING'S CREDIT CARD (Revolving Charge Plan) No service charge at all if paid in full in'30 days. 1.75% per month (21% per annum) if extended. For example. If your original 'balance is up to S100.00 then your required monthly payment is only 516.00 and your ser- vice charge on on outstanding balance of 5100.00 is only $1.75 which will reduce as the balance reduces. Or Use Your Chargex- or Mastercharge. CARPET 5!/o TO 50% OFF Super Value QUALITY CARPETING PROFESSIONAL- INSTALLATION ROFESSIONAL- INST ALLATiON CAN BE ARRANGED Our Reg. Price 514.95 per sq. yd. $595 Per Sq. Yd. MICROWAVE OVENS 1 0% OFF H I N Warehouse Furniture and Appliances Unlimited (New and Used) cri Sales & Service • Antiques & Things 235-1964 EXETER MAIN ST. r r r - r r r • • • 1 113 4 4 ti`► 4 . 4 4 4 4i 5e: 4 4 4 5t tv tit w ra c>t::OURCi sisisiM>fl::O::C:OALCCOAt:CO: i:044444 .431 1' OZCOV 10`` '`OV"0.4120'O'g 4 4 4 4 4 4 4