Times Advocate, 1992-09-23, Page 9Businesses blast
govt interference,
high ratio
n
Grant Kime from Big b' Drain
Tile Inc. said government is con
scantly telling the Canadian manu-
facturing sector to become compet-
itive with world markets. He said
he agrees with this philosophy, but
said his company was shocked
when it studied what it would cost
a U.S. competitor to market as
product in Canada.
Lower American wages were not
so much the problem as "uncontrol-
lable" costs such as taxes.
• "Tltey"re never-ending, we don't
know where the hell they all arc,''
said Kime. "How can we be told to
control our costs when we have no
control. We pay orbreak tie law.
Kime said the only way for Cana-
dian manufacturers to compete is to
"force technological unpmve-
ments'
Kime also cited difficulties in
getting planning approval for plant
expansions, and difficulties in find -
mg skilled workers in rural areas
such as Huron Comity, but he said
he still believes Huron has much to
offer.
"I'm not rust complaining, be-
cause 1 believe Huron County
through the year 2.001 and beyond
has a tremendous opportunity," he
said. clung a good work ethic and
proximity to major 'U.S. markets.
Exeter's reeve Bill Mickle asked
the government representatives if
they believed the tax burden could
be cut.
Harry Brightwell said govern-
ment cannot easily be efficient
when it has to be able to answer to
every one of its "clients". He also
said it is difficult to decide which
taxes and programs to cut.
"Yes we have to cut taxes...well
I'll be damned if 1 can tell which
services to cut," he said.
Paul Knopp said the province es
facing • its first year since the de-
pression when tax revenues are fall-
ing.
"We have to balance between
what is going to save money. but
not put another 50.000 people out
of work and add to your welfare
cost," he stated.
Norm Jamison said the picture
was not as bad as some have paint-
ed. He said Ontario's energy cost
are "within reason
"And with a 40 percent increase
over the next two years," interject-
ed Kime.
"I'm not talking about projec-
tion..." replied Jamison.
"We in business -look at planning
ahead and you scare the hell out of
us,' retorted Kime.
Brightwell agreed with Kimc
and also agreed that land should be
set -aside for industrial develop
men t
Hundey explained he has been a
public servant for 20 years at three
levels-artd-aaidne-feels$ nee m a -
um on new laws ought to be a pri-
ority for government because the
legislation and regulation is out-
pacing the ability for the public
sector to keep up.
"There's no attempt to assess
whether the delivery poteibility is
there." Hundey told the audience.
"We've got tow much new stuff
and we cant deliver."
Hundey expressed grave doubts
about whether the plans in the En-
vironmental Bill of Rights or Em-
ployment Equity are within the
ability of government to carry out.
Klopp said the NDP are trying u)
phase out old programs, but often
find those that get the axe are
missed by someone.
Jamison said iavesunent in Onta-
rio is still good compared to the
rest of Canada. He said many
businesses would not be wound if
it were not for certain programs.
"Be careful of what you cut," he
warned, and pointed out That get-
ting nd of all programs would set
Ontario behind other world mar-
kets in which govenunents do
compete to create good business
environments.
Brightwell, however, agreed that
the governtsient could cut many in -
By Adrian Harte '
T -A Kditer
BLYTH - The South Huron Eco-
nomic Committee presented its re-
port on government and business
last Tuesday - a report that basical-
ly criticizes government for being
too meddlesome in the private sec-
tor, and what assistance they do of -
ter is too buried in red tape and
misunderstood.
The report, compiled by the com-
mittee and Exeter town administra-
tor Rick Hundey, points out that up
to 85 percent of South Huron bust
nesse. are concerned about the
rates of provincial and federal taxa-
tion, and most are also concerned
with municipal taxes, government
debt and government inefficiency
In turn, the study also discovered
the maionty of local businesses are
unaware of provincial and federal
assistance programs
The report was presented by Rick
Hundey to a 60 -person audience
An on-stage panel included local
business represen>auves and three
poliucians Huron MPP Paul
Knopp. Nom) Jamison, parhamen
tart' assistant to the provincial Min-
istry of Industry bade and Teci,.
nology , and Perth MI' Hare.
Einghtwel i
Atter Hundeys presentation, and
responses from the government
representauves, the three business
leaders were asked to give their
comments
Dale Ciood from W.G. Thompson
and Sons in Hensall said that "we
have more government policies
than you can shake a stick at", list-
ing oft several including the Envi-
ronmental Bill of Rights, the re-
forms to the Labour Relations Act.
Employment Equity. and Pay Equi -
t>
As to7 Employment Equity
Good misted he was not racist t)
any means, but that "1 ant con
cerned if 1 am told by the goveni-
ment that I have to hire someone
regardless of whether that person is
the best for that job."
In lace .Good.said he agreed with
those who have called the proposed
bill racist.
John Allen from Exeter's North -
lander Industries said he was most
concerned with government poli-
cies on export and free trade He
cited difficulues his company has
had trying to export its modular
home products to Florida in the
wake of the Hurricane Alexander
disaster
Allen pointed out that homes
manufactured in Canada must meet
CSA standards, those unported
from the United States do not need
to meet this standard and are usual-
ly built to the lower HUD standard
Yet Northlander has not been able
to export its homes to Florida be-
-cause they --were not built to-e4UL)
regulations
"I agree we have an overabun
dance of govenunent programs that
duplicate tune, effort, and resourt
es," sununanzed Alien. adding that
assistance programs are often not
worth the paperwork and bureau-
cracy to apply for them
Allen said he has also listened tr
the concerns of laud -off employees
- the main one being the 8-12 .week
delay in receiving UIC benefits.
"It's humiliating enough to be un-
employed, but to wait two or three
months to get their benefus is de-
grading and unacceptable," said Al-
len, who also said he has seen situ-
ations in which workers expecting
to be laid -Off "arrange to have an
accident" so they can immediately
receive workers compensation ben-
efits.
At the same tune, said Allen, ex -
onotnic development groups from
U.S. arc "bombarding" companies
such as Northlander to relocate to
their regions and cities with prom-
ises of lower taxes and casts.
"The day way come when we
can no longer put these people oft,"
said Allen, but insisted companies
such . as Northiander still , want to
keep people employed in Canada.
Fall sessions .begin
EXETER - The Cavan P.C.W. lawn -their ball ssaarons with a anon
luncheon at tie church with ladies of the "Bessie w rby" group of the
Lis towel Presbyterian church as guests.
Following the tateal..Mirtggret Strang, the viceptcaidtou conduc :id,Ibc
meeting. Etienne Hyde. took clone of the devtotiotmal ton "Dinh" maisbed
by Maybel le Cann rotating acriiptrire yassagea and a peon. and -Flop
man giving comments on -kith_ and a prayer. .¶Ilsglakc avompa-
nied the hymns on the piano.
The program was on "Talesior. Flamm Hyde giving a oninir ablary On
the many talents found to our everyday living. Judy Dotyalliweaneser-
poling pr tion and esplawton of Male of the many crafts gra does in
her studio called "Gifted Hands".
•
rimes -Advocate September 23, 1992
On stage at the 'Myth 'Theatre Last Tuesday was the most real drama of the season. The +
South Huron Economic Development Committee presented their survey of local businesses - a
survey critical of government involvement and programs. From left are Dale Good, Norm Jam,
son, MPP Paul Klopp, Grant Kime, John Allen, Perth MP Harry Brightwell. Rick Hundey and
moderator Wayne Caldwell.
cenuve programs and pass the say
ings on to all businesses.
Klopp said cutting the red tape is
a good idea.
"We're doing these things " he
said.
After the meeting, Hundey said
he was pleased with the response
the presentation generated. Key
points governments should consid-
er, he said, is getting rid of the
overlap in federal and provincial
programs that achieve the same
things, and if they are to be kept,
find ways of making it easier for
businesses to know about those
programs and apply for them.
Of the government representa-
uves present, Hundey said he felt
Brightwell was tate' most receptive
to the South Huron Economic De-
velopment Report and seemed to
share the view that government has
to be simplified. The provincial
representatives, said Hundey, did
not appear to be hearing what they
wanted to hear.
"I dust felt there wasn't a direct re-
sponse from the two NDP represen-
tatives," he said.
While one suggestion raised at
the workshop was the abolition of
all government assistance pro-
grams, Hundey said that was an ex -
treme viev
'"The point is 1businesses; do
need some • help. 1 don't think in-
dustry.can do it all. themselves ," he
said..pointing-out that the develop-
ment and marketing of new prod-
ucts is not a strong point for Cana-
dian industry .
Page 9
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