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Home My WebLink AboutZurich Citizens News, 1977-10-27, Page 12Page 12 Citizens News, October 27, 1977 AW‘an�'A`\.'�•3:\\:;\\\\ �Ki. e,v,• \\ v •}."V.+,4NSA1vhM:\J?.\,va...\.,n•:n+.,,,.\..n.a.n...,\1L\:.✓:::CA....\0i•.,+;iw:.N.vnvxay. \...,v.,h•i:Jriv:>\Yi:i:TEME:i tStiP:• i\a Badnews By JACK RIDDELL .MPP Huron -Middlesex The Fall Session of the Ontario Legislature opened on the 17th October, with the installation of Jack Stokes, MPP. (Lake Nipigon) as Speaker. Premier Davis called for a full- scale federal -provincial con- ference on economic recovery, and disclosed the latest bad news on the provincial economy. Ontario's projected cash deficit has worsened during the past month and is now $1.45 billion for the current fiscal year — an increase of $375 million or 34 percent since the April budget. The Government's programme for the fall session includes: a bill allowing municipalities to limit removal of topsoil from good farmland; reforms of family law, including provision for support and sharing of assets upon marriage breakdown; regulation of body -rub parlours, com- prehensive occupational health and safety legislation; post- ponement for yet another year of the controversial province -wide property reassessment; and possible introduction of a bill to prevent Ontario companies from refusing to deal with Jewish companies in order to comply with an Arab boycott. Opposition parties have made it clear that central issues for them will be the economy, par- ticularly job creation, and Ontario Hydro's nuclear generation program. Liberal Leader Stuart Smith called for a new budgetary statement in the light of the latest progress report which shows the Government's earlier predictions to have been "disastrously wrong". He has also charged that the government helped to create present economic problems by its irresponsible spending, that it now seems paralyzed and unable to effect the necessary cures, and he has suggested a four -point programme to cope with the situation, including an industry - by -industry review of the strengths, weaknesses and potential growth, combined with stimulation of . labour-intensive small business. There was an angry exchange in the Legislature between the Provincial Treasurer and Opposition Finance Critics. David Peterson MPP (London Centre) and his NDP counterpart accused the Treasurer of deliberately painting a falsely optimistic picture of the Province's financial situation in his April Budget, for purely political purposes in view of the then -anticipated provincial election. He denied that he had deliberately over-estimated anticipated revenues. However, in September — less than half way through the financial year, he admitted that his revenue projects had been over-estimated by some $309 million, In reponse to a question from David Peterson, the Treasurer stated that Ontario does not make its own forecasts of income tax collected on its `behalf by the federal government. Earlier he had announced a reduction of $350 million in this revenue, which would contribute significantly to the provincial debt. The Minister of Labour has announced that asbestos will now be included in the list of dangerous substances to be strictly regulated by the government under a new oc- cupational health and safety bill, The list will also include such physical agents as compressed air, noise and non -ionizing radiation, as well as mercury, lead, vinyl chloride, benzene, isocyanates and pen- tochlorophenol. Radon will not be included, because the federal government has sole jurisdiction over radiation hazards associated with uranium uder the Atomic Energy Act. Plans for a programme to make available up to $100 -million in low interest loans for home insulation and weather -proofing have been abandoned by the Ontario Government. In this connection, Liberal Energy Critic Julian Reed has accused the government of flying directly in the face of its own financial restraint policies by scrapping the programme, because there is conclusive proof that it is in- finitely cheaper to lend money for home insulation then to capitalize new generating capacity to meet excessive demands. A number of U.S. utilities have themselves made loans to customers for home insulation because this is more profitable than building additoinal generators. Robert Nixon, Liberal MPP for Brant -Oxford -Norfolk has placed a resolution on the Order Paper calling for the government to use some of the revenue from lot- teries to set up a fund for emergency relief for com- munities or individuals who have suffered heavy expenditures due to natural disasters. He proposed that -many payments under such a Wintario aid programme could be in the form of no -interest loans. Legislation designed to assist the small business sector in Ontario has been approved in principle by the Legislature. The Private Member's Bill, tabled by John Eakins, Liberal MPP (Victoria-Haliburton), will now advance to clause -by -clause consideration. It is designed to ensure that the Government aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as possible, the interests of small business. Short Rib or Shoulder Roast Blade and Cross -Rib Roasts Medium Ground Beef lb. 994 Schneiders Red Hot Wieners Schneiders Blue Ribbon Bologna Ib. 9 Ib. $1.09 lb.$1.19 5 and 101b. 894 packages, Ib. 1 lb. pkg. 9 5 Sliced 1.09 Garlic and Smoked Sausage and our own homemade Summer Sausage available Custom Services Offered YUNGBLUT'S MEAT MARKET PHONE 236-4312 ZURICH Proper home insulation and heat conservation will save you money. ThisiswhatOn . 'os ,pests tohelpyoucut. yoarhomeenergycosts. What are some of the ways to cut your heating costs? What types of insulation are on the market? How should you choose an insulation contractor? What does "R -value" mean? What is a vapor barrier? Those are just a few of the important questions you'll find answered in free publications now available from the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and - Commercial Relations and the Ontario Ministry of Energy. The two ministries are cooperating to inform Ontario residents about how . proper home insulation can help offset increasing energy costs, and to point out other ways of conserving energy. • Facts about insulation are included in the Ministry of Consumer and' Commercial Relations' interesting bulletin "Insulation: Heat in Your House, Money in Your Pocket." It covers such matters as: • the meaning of R -value and vapor barrier • proper ventilation • types of insulation material • how to check your home for existing insulation • finding a reliable contractor • information to help you understand the customer -installer contract • how to check the completed job For a free copy of the bulletin, write to: Consumer and Commercial Relations/Home Insulation, Queen's Park, • Toronto, Ontario M7A 2H6 Larry Grossman, Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations Other ideas on how to save energy and money are included in the Ministry of Energy's booklet "Energy Conservation: The Choice is Yours." Among the money -saving suggestions: • lowering daytime and night-time temperatures • installing storm doors and windows e replacing air filters on warm air heating systems once a month • closing window drapes on winter nights For your free copy, write to: Ontario Energy Conservation Program Ministry of Energy 56 Wellesley Street —12th Floor Toronto, Ontario M7A 2B7 James Taylor, Minister of Energy William Davis, Premier Province of Ontario