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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1975-11-05, Page 17The first session of the thirt- ieth Parliament of the Province of Ontario opened on Tuesday, October 28th, almost unobst- rusively. There were 74 Oppos- ition members to the 51 Govern- ment members. The Speech from the Throne read by the Lieuten- ant Governor of the Province, the Honourable Pauline M. McGib- bon, promised action on issues such as inflation, rents, mort- gage interest rates and tenant insecurity. It also indicated that the Gov- ernment in its concern over the economic health of the Prov- ince and the problems of inflation and unemployment, will support the decision of the Government of Canada to Launch a nation wide attack on these problems. On the first day of the Session, the Honourable John Rhodes, Minister of Housing reported to the House on the plans for the introduction of rent review legis- lation. He indicated that the one very important influence on this legislation is the federal program on wage and price controls and the federal plans and funding in respect of housing. The legislat- ion to be introduced will provide for a rent review board, empower- ed to review rent increases within limits determined under the Act. In appropriate cases the board will be able to allow increases or roll back rents. For the benefit of tenants who are being asked to, or have signed leases, on or after July 30, 1975, rent increases in excess of those permitted under the bill will be rolled- back to the date of the new lease and land- lords will be required to refund those amounts. The right to these refunds will not be affected by the fact the tenant has signed a lease on or after July 30, 1975. The Solicitor -General, John MacBeth, introduced legislation designed to force large retail stores to close on Sundays and holidays, or face fines of up to $10,000 beginning January, 1976. This legislation applies to stores of more than three emp- loyees and more than 2,400 square feet of retail space. The exceptions include small grocery stores, milk stores, news and tobacco stands, drug stores, antique shops, flower shops and service stations. Mr. Vernon Singer, Liberal MPP for Wilson Heights, said the introduction of the Retail Busin- ess Holidays Act, (Sunday Clos- ing Law) had one serius omission. He said while the law purports to be secular and not religious, Sunday is imposed as the day of pause. There are many people in the Ontario community who cannot choose Sunday as their day of pause. Many Orthodox Jewish people, Seventh-Day Adventists and others have deep religious convictions that will not allow them to work on Satur- day. These are people who sincer- ely and conscientiously govern their lives this way and have kept their business closed on Sat- urday. Mr. Singer said that in order to survive in commercial enter- prise, particularly, in large urban +re..m, it is necessary that their l:iuAlba �� business be carried on, on day. Their religious convictions will not allow them to operate their business on Saturday and the law will now prohibit them from working on Sunday, Mr. Singer felt this would be most unfair and discriminatory. Mr. Singer said he will, therefore, be introducing an Amendment, to the effect that those people by reason of their religious convictions treat Saturday as their day of pause and who close Lig their business on Saturday, be included as one of the exemptions in the Statute and be allowed to remain open on Sunday. According to a statement by the Provincial Treasurer, the Honour- able Darcy McKeough, the Prov- incial Government intend to give the Federal Government in Ot- tawa the power to administer totally their newly proposed wage and price control in Ontario. This would mean, in effect, that in expected confrontations with teachers and civil servants the protagonists will be the Federal Government and the unions. The Liberal party have, howev- er, taken the position that the Provincial Government should be responsible for negotiations with teachers, civil servants and other professional people who come within Provincial jurisdiction. Albert Roy, Liberal MPP for Ottawa East, this week introd- uced in the Ontario Legislature, a Private Member's Bill which would amend the Highway Traf- fic Act, reducing the speed limit on the Province's highways, to 55 miles per hour. He proposed simi- lar legislation in April of this year. He said the bill has dual purpose, to save energy and red- uce injury and death on the highways. "Statistics have proven that when similar legislat- ion has been implemented in jur- isdictions outside Ontario, the result has been a considerable saving in gas for the motorist and a quite remarkable reduction in traffic fatalities and injuries. Obviously any measure which has reduced the enormous toll of death and injury resulting from road accidents must be given srious consideration and the saving in gas consumption must also be taken into account at this time, when energy conser- vation and the price of gasoline is of concern to us all." Mr. Roy also said that there is another important factor that cannot be overlooked. Motor vehicle acc- idents cost the health system of this Province $1 million a day. When one considers that this one change in existing legislat- ion could reduce death and in- jury, conserve our valuable .energy resources, and at the same time reduce our enormous Provincial medicare bill, Mr, Roy, said it seems completely illogic- al and out of keeping with reality not to enact without delay an amendment such as he is prop- osing. In a special ceremony, held in the Legislative Chamber, Arthur Maloney was sworn in as Ontar- io's first ombudsman this week. The ceremony confirmed the ap- pointment made last May. Mr. Maloney referred to the enorm- ous impact on all our lives of public administration, giving rise to the need for an impartial administration, giving rise to the need for an impartial ombuds- man when people "believe they have been prejudiced by an act or omission of a civil servant," and acknowledged the pioneering legislative work done by Liberal MPP Vernon Singer, who propos- ed an Ontario Ombudsman for ten years before the Government un the idea. Hensel) Institute to be backwards The Agriculture and Canadian Industries meeting of the Wom- en's Institute will be held on., November 12 at 8 p.m. at the Legion Hall. This will take the form of a backwards meeting. ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS, NOVEMBER 5, 1975 PAGE 17 C unty plans public sessions for views on improving g , v't (by Shirley J. Keller) The Huron County restructur- ing committee chaired by Warden Anson McKinley is planning a public information meeting for Clinton on Wednesday, Novemb- er 19 at 8 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to exchange ideas on improving local government in Huron Coun- ty. If the meeting is found to be worthwhile, similar meetings would also be planned for other areas of the county. The committee reported a visit to Essex County where there are 41 members of the council. Huron has 45 members of county coun- cil. It was reported that in the Ess- ex system, all business is brought before the entire council by a report from the department head, rather than first being dealt with in committee. "They do of course have the statuatory committees, roads and homes for the aged, but these committees meet during alternate session of counc- il rather than between sessions," said Warden McKinley. "They do establish committees from time to time to deal with specif- ic projects." Meetings of Essex County Council are held every third Wednesday of the month, Ag- endas, including all reports and recommendations are sent out to the members of council one week in advance of the sessions. "They claim that under this system, council members are better informed," said Warden McKinley, "dealing with all matters in council, rather than becoming knowledgeable only of the work of a particular com- mittee." A modified version of the system was recommended for trial in some Huron County co' mittees for a period of time. This was approved by council after some discussion. During the, debate of the road committee report earlier, in which a decision regarding road crew salaries was disputed by council, the value of committees was questioned. There was some disc- ussion surrounding the need for committees where there is no authority to make decisions. While county councillors are reluctant to make changes to another system, the decision was reached to attempt the Essex method for some committees. Under the system, agencies, and a complete resume of matters to be discussed at committee, will go out to members prior to the committee meeting. A subcommittee to review the Tentative okay for Hensall lots Approval in principle was given by Hensall village council on M onday night for the develop- ment of a 10 -lot sub -division in the south-west section of the municipality known as Moir' s Survey. Mr. and Mrs. George Andelfinger of London, owners of the property involved, attended the meeting and presented draft plans for the project. The developers are planning to build semi-detached housing units on the lots, and their plan calls for two units per lot. Mr. Andelfinger agreed that it would be their responsibility to install sanitary sewers and water service to the area. Roads are al- ready established in the survey and belong to the municipality. While approving the plan in principle, the council informed the London couple that it will require detailed plans of the proj- ect as soon as possible. An agree- ment will also have to be drawn up between the sub -divider and the developer to cover all aspects of the program. TO APPEAR - The Miller Sisters, Donna, Carolyn, Valerie, Angela and Colleen, are scheduled to appear on Big Al Talent Showcase on CKCO-TV this Sunday. They are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miller, of R.R.1, Dash- wood. 1975 Huron County Recreat- ion Study has been named by the development committee. It comp- rises Warren Zinn, Frank Cook, Warden Anson McKinley, Mich- ael Dymond, Jim McKinlay who will represent the recreation directors of the county, and Spence Cumming, Huron' s development officer. In other business, the develop- ment committee recommended that no grant be made to the Huron Power Plant Committee. A letter from Adrian Vos noted that some costs have been incurred by the HPP commit tee to date totallying about $100. "The crucial time will be hear- ings by the Porter Co'pmission scheduled for early fall," stated the letter. "We expect that this will be a more costly period. Your contribution in money as well as in input will be greatly appreciated." DRAFT AGREEMENT Grand Bend village council spent the major portion of a two hour session Monday night dis- cussing the first draft of an empl- oyee agreement. The agreement outlines the duties, responsibil- ities and rights of village empl- oyees. After discussing all of the clauses in the agreement and making numerous changes, coun- cil instructed clerk Louise Clipp- erton to make a final draft before it is presented to the employees. Items discussed and to be incl- uded are sick leave, vacation, pension plan, statuatory holi- days, life insurance, training costs. Recepflon once for Ken Regier and Deb O'Brien (Bridal Couple) SAT., NOV. 8 at 9 P.M. Zurich Arena Music By MOZARTS MELODY MAKERS Lunch Provided Everyone Welcome s SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 n° oM. PULSIFER MUSIC 7 Main Sts S — Seaforth Orrirtralfinreei SPECIALS GALORE Lowest prices an Willis & Wurlitzer Pianos & Organs, Peavey And 4 "Lyox Amplifiers Phone 527-0053