Lucknow Sentinel, 2009-12-09, Page 5Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - Page 5
Wilkinson defends Harmonized Sales Tax
Perth -Wellington MPP John
Wilkinson defended the
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) at the
Huron Perth Real Estate Board
membership meeting Nov. 20.
The Ontario Real Estate
Association claims that the eight per
cent tax, which combines the PST
and GST, will add about $1;500
more in taxes to the average residen-
tial real estate transaction in Ontario.
The Huron Perth Real Estate Board
is one of the smaller boards in the
association, but . was able to have
Wilkinson, the Minister of Revue,
explain the controversial tax and
answer questions at their meeting,
held at the Mitchell Golf . and
Country Club.
Wilkinson explained that the HST
is only one aspect of a tax reform
that includes lowered income and
business taxes.He said that a tax
reform which includes the HST ° is
the only way for Ontario to remain
competitive after "the largest eco-
nomic transformation since the
1930s."
Wilkinson said that while present-
ly businesses can claim GST credit
but not PST credit, the HST will
allow businesses to recoup the cost
of both. Wilkinson added that HST
paperwork will be simpler than the
current PST processes some indus-
tries have to follow.
The HST is already used in four
provinces and 130 countries,
Wilkinson said, with good results.
"In Europe you pay more . at the
cash register to pay less on your pay
cheque," he said.
The Conservative federal govern-
ment is also a backer of the HST,
Wilkinson pointed out.
"Either we're both crazy at the
same time or there's a_darnn good
reason to do it," Wilkinson said.
The federal government will be
giving $4.3 billion to Ontario so that
the province can distribute the
money to consumers, easing the it'd -
tial impact of the HST.: Families
making less than $160,000 will
receive $1,000 tax free, which will
cover the HST paid on approximate-
ly $12,500 worth of purchases.
Businesses will receive $300.
Some members of the real estate
board still had their doubts, howev-
er.
"It can punitively damage our
industry. There's not a doubt about
it," said Greg Nafziger, a sales repre-
sentative for Re/Max a -b Realty in
Stratford. Other members voiced
concerns about the increased cost of
real estate transactions deterring cus-
tomers ' from buying or selling
homes.
Wilkinson said the expected
incase in jobs and incomes as a
result of the province's : tax reform,
as well as the "dramatic" drop in
business costs will offset the HST
increases.
Wilkinson reminded the audience
that while the HST can't be stopped,
the province is available to talk with
different industries about their con-
cams and explore solutions.
Getting along with others takes patience
Dear Toby,
First of all, I would like to offer you my sincere
congratulations on thirty-six successful months in`
this household association. You are >a valuable mem-
ber of our team. Because of you, both the
president and I get plenty of exercise . You
fertilize the lawn. However, there are a few
things that need to be addressed immediately.
Number one: You've developed a habit of
sitting in my favourite chair. This is unaccept-
able!
nacceptable! This chair traditionally belongs to the
male leader of the household, the "alpha
dog" if you will. That is not you. It is
me because I am smarter.
Number two: Your beard is wreaking
havoc with our kitchen safety policies.
We request you find a way to drink without stick-
ing your huge head directly into the water, bowl,
then leaving a trail of water' with you wherever you
go.
Twice now, our team members have just barely
escaped injury as they slipped on the compromised
the blame by staring intently at Benjamin, the
youngest human member . of our association. This
worked once, but it was only effective until the pres-
ident came home and knocked some sense into me.
The fact remains that you must not indulge
yourself in this way any longer.
We have,already consulted with. D_ r. Deuzeman
and he suggested that perhaps this is a symptom
of your hitting puberty.
Toby, seriously now, you must stop pee-
ing on my carpets and here.is why. The
president believes that you are doing
this because you are becoming "an
adult" and thus your body is rife with
hormones. What this has to do with
peeing, Ido not know. Thankfully, none of
the other males on this team feel the need to mark
their territory. (I hate to think about what the remote
would look like...) What I am sure .of is this. If
things don't change, she and Dr. Deuzeman will
make sure that you don't ever enjoy being an adult
male, if you catch my drift.
Also, there is the unspoken threat that the longer
this trouble continues, the more likely the president
is to revoke my alpha male status.
linoleum. Admittedly, it was a little funny when it
happened to Duncan ...but this truly must stop.
Number Three: You have now started leaving
stains on our downstairs carpet. Luckily for. you,
they are just stains and •not "solids" or you would be
living in the tool shed by now. Getting a foot wet in
the dark is one thing.
Having something squish up between your toes is
entirely another matter.
Please do not attempt to deny this behaviour or lay
Yours Truly,
Mark Thrice
VP Household Association
Mark Thrice is our hometown humour columnist
and the award winning author of Halfway To Crazy.
Photo by Gorit Reid
Eighty four-year.old Gerry Vander Klippe of Lucknow has been a
familiar sight around the village as he has been riding his bike all
over the area for many years. Over a nine year span Vander
Klippen has travelled 67,200 km, which is 11 times more.than the
distance across Canada (6,000 km).
4
2
8
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2
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7
5
3
7
2 6 9
7
9
3.
7
0'
5
2
1
1
6
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9
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8
To solve a Sudoku
puzzle, every number
from 1 to 9 must
appear in:
• Each of the nine
vertical columns
• Each of the nine
horizontal rows
• Each of the nine
3 x 3 boxes
• Remember, no
number can occur
more than once in any
row, column
or box
This week's puzzle sponsored by:
You can Advertise
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Call Pat for information
519-528-2822
See answer on classified pages