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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1978-12-14, Page 13ITALIAN COOKERS — Studying tar -off countries can be exciting especially when you can experience something about the country. Shown cooking up some real Italian food in Mr. Kemp's Grade five class at Huron Centennial school Friday are Sharri MacDonald, Kim Rothwell, Legh -Anne Taman and Michael McGregor. Staff photo 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 private or corporate foreign ownership, as was recommended by the On- tario Federation of Agriculture at its recent an- nual meeting. It was at this meeting that I was able to observe spark- ed intense 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 owning Canadian real estate or farmland. What causes worries is that large amounts of foreign invest- ment frequently concen- trated in sizable blocks of 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 effective controls over such purchases. Foreign land purchases 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 Select 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 Edward Island and the three Prairie Provinces have each taken legislative measures to restrict ownership of farmland by non -Canadian residents and I am surprised and disappointed that the Minister of Agriculture and Food for Ontario, has such a lackadaisical attitude about the foreign purchases of farmland. Beginning in January, single elderly people in this Province who receive guaranteed income supplements will get $20 more a month. The Minister of Revenue also told the Legislature that elderly married couples who receive the supplement will receive $10.00 extra a month. The increase in the guaranteed income level en- sures that Ontario residents More senior money The Honourable Lorne Maeck, Minister of Revenue, announced today the Province's decision to in- crease the guaranteed in- come 'level for Ontario senior citizens, effective January 1, 1979. This in- crease in the GAINS guaranteed income level en- sures that Ontario pen- sioners will benefit fully from the recently announced federal payments, without any reduction in Ontario GAINS payments. The in- crease amounts to $20 monthly to single pensioners and $10 monthly to married pensioners who receive the Guaranteed Income Supple- ment. "Single andt married GAINS recipients will con- tinue to receive a maximum monthly payment of $39 and $52, respectively," Mr. Maeck stated. "Had we not increased the guaranteed in- come level, monthly GAINS payments for 244,000 On- tario senior citizens would have been reduced as a result of the federal in- crease." Mr. Maeck further ex- plained that an additional 2,- 500 senior citizens who do not qualify for the federal pension and supplement will receive a monthly increase equivalent to the federal in- crease. It is estimated this will cost the Province $600,- 000 annually. Beginning in January, the guaranteed income level will be $343 per month for single pensioners and $666 per month for married couples who both qualify for GAINS. These rates include the quarterly adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index who are 65 or older will benefit fully from recently 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 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 marginally from 6.1% to 6.6% of the labour force between October and November. Latest unemployment figures show an overall in- crease, bringing the total unemployed to 312,000. This 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- employed as "regrettable", but entirely due to the in- crease in the work force. Some 154,000 new jobs were created in Ontario between November '77 and last month, but due to the large number of people` entering the work force, the seasonally adjusted un- employed rate is now at 7.3% up .3% over the previous month. The Treasurer said he ex- pected to sign an agreement with Ottawa in the near future, which would cover heavily hit areas of Eastern Ontario and he promised a "complete package" of job creation measures to com- bat unemployment. APPLYING THE PRESSURE — Early ing a.goal. Buckeyes in the picture are in the second period the Zurich Buckeyes just missed scor- Ken Smale, Ron Desjardine and Rich Schilbe. Citizens News, December 14, 1978 Page 13 History isn't dull! History dull? - not when Gerald Kilian is in charge or Ed Phelps is talking! Dr. Kilian is chairman of the Local Societies Committee of the Ontario Historical Society and Mr. Phelps is curator of the Regional Collection at the D.B. Weldon Library of the University of Western On- tario, Executivemembers of the Huron County and the Bayfield Historical Societies attended a workshop on Saturday, in London, Mr, Dave McClure of Crediton, Mrs. Robert Simpson of Hensall, Miss Dorothy Cox, Miss Kay Reid and Mrs. Gwen Pemberton of Bayfield were amongst forty registrants. The session was held at King's College and was designed for researchers and genealogists ists with little or no writing experience. Dr. Kilian pointed out that there is a new breed amongst researchers called LACACS which, he said, are multiplying like rabbits all over the province. (At 'latest count, there are over ninety) . Dr. Jacques Goutor spoke on organizing research data in preparation for writing and Dr. Kilian chaired a ses- sion'on the problem of providing that all-important historical setting and background when writing family profiles or biographies. This is most es- sential and, of course, re- quires much patient digging. In the afternoon, a con- ducted tour of the D.B. Weldon Library - the sixth largest in Canada was followed by a session on the value of the university reference section to the. writer of local or rm-nily history. We then went to the room where the Regional History collection is housed and Ed Phelps told us about it. He talked about the research tools and archival resources that are available there and stressed the great importance of co-operation amongst all the groups which have collections of archives. By using the many modern copying techniques, such as photostats, microfilm and microfiche, valuable in- terchange can be made. There are collections in many places - museums, historical societies, churches, public libraries, voluntary organizations, townships, large companies as well as the provincial, national and university archives These should be and preserved d shared Holiday Public Skating ZURICH ARENA Thurs, Dec. 28 2:00 - 4:00 Fri., Dec. 29 2:00 - 4:00 FAMILY SKATING DEC. 30 8:30 - 10:00 L R. K. PECK APPLIANCES "in the heart of downtown Varna" • Vacuum Cleaners - Sales & Service of most makes • CB Radios & Accessories • Speed Queen Appliances • Moffat Appliances • Smoke Sensors • Insect Lights & Fly Killing Units • Handcrafted Gifts Phone 482-7103 CH©RAW s Utility Turkeys 6-10 lb. Swifts Partly Skinned, Halves or Quarters Bone In Hams Polish Loop Sausage Local Fresh Hen Turkeys Boneless Tin End Meaty Pork Riblets C/1R/,srm�I ''DRAW 12-14 Ib. ave., Ib. Ib. L$ cHRasrmAs ORAw $1.09 $1..79 $1.59 Ib' $1.19 lb. $2 19 Ib. 754 CHRISTMAS DRAW Custom Services Offered YUNGBLUT'S MEAT MARKET PHONE 236.4312 ZURICH