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Zurich Citizens News, 1976-12-01, Page 7Jack Riddell The Government's budget statement made by Treasurer Darcy McKeough is a virtual admission that the Province faces serious economic problems. The Treasurer took one hour to announce only one tax change despite the fact all the indicators but one show Ontario is lagging behind the rest of Canada. The single tax change involves the tax exemption on machinery which the Liberal Opposition Members did not object to, but not without surprise the change received very vocal objections by the N.D.P. The Government will extend for an indefinite period the exemption of the 7 per cent sales tax on production machinery and equipment bought by private industry, and will extend the exemption to include equipment for pollution control or the removal of waste and noxious fumes. This continued sales tax exemption will cost $10 million in the last quarter of the current fiscal year year, and an estimated $160 million in 1977-78. The Government's objective is to attract job creating capital to the province, and to maintain the competitivefooting of theProvince and Ontario firms in bidding for investment and business against our principal rivals, including the ' province of Quebec and the states of New York, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Even with the extension of the sales tax exemption beyond the original December 31st cut-off date, the provincial sales tax burden on a new plant opening in Ontario still would be more than twice the sales taxes levied in Michigan and Ohio. The Liberal comments on the Treasurer's statement indicated that the Government should have launched a major home con- struction program. We lack af- fordable housing in this Province. There is high unemployment in the home construction industry. This is a major area where action was needed so that Ontario doesn't continue to lag behind the rest of the country in affordable home construction. Budget statement At the same time, the Treasurer also tabled documents which he maintained showed that the federal government's anti inflation program has been a success in Ontario during its first year of operation. During debate on the family law reform legislation, the Attorney General stressed that caution was necessary with respect to giving courts too much power over marriage contracts, because if courts could override provisions of marriage contracts, the result would be that the courts instead of the parties involved would be writing the contracts. Some opposition members suggested modifying a section of the act to allow a court to alter support obligations of a contract. The Attorney General said he would consider such an amend- ment. Now that it has passed second reading, the legislation will go to committee for detailed examination before going back to the Legislature for third and final reading in the spring. Also this week, the Attorney General stated that he is con- vening a meeting of regional Crown Attorneys�to instruct them in the 'flitter of court authorizations, which should not be released. Albert Roy, Liberal MPP for Ottawa East had produced a copy of an authorization to wire tap, to demonstrate that the Govern- ment had gone against established practice in not releasing the authorization in the case of the wiretap carried out on a conversation between Donald Turner and his lawyer. The Provincial government will subsidize its two ski jumps at Thunder Bay for another season, according to the Minister of Industry and Tourism. He said a loan of about $100,000 from the Province's Northern Ontario Development Corporation will be given to Thunder Bay Ski Jumps Ltd. (the development cor- poration owns all the shares in the company). Pressed by Stuart Smith, Liberal Leader to table the lease agreement, the Minister said he would consider doing so - the lease covers the use of the land around the base of the jumps. He said the financing for this winter will give operators the backing to get sponsors for events. Premier Davis has announced that the Government is inviting advice on the economy from labour, business, consumer, farm' and social service groups at a public conference to be held in February. Opposition Members were cynical about this announcement, which they called a pre-election political move, commenting that it was not at all surprising that T.: t ` e '`atepayers f HensalL ® Keep Experience on Hens re! Council For Council . Re -Elect PAUL NEILANDS the meeting will be open to the press. "That's why you're having it, isn't it?" said former Liberal Leader Robert Nixon, and Pat Reid (Rainy River MPP) 'com- mented "There must be an election coming up." The two day conference on. February 10 and 11 will be under the name Partnership for Prosperity, and the Premier told the Legislature he wants "a broad spectrum of advice" on the direction of the economy after federal wage and price controls expire. A former Conservative researcher and defeated can- didate has been hired by the Ontario Government at $150 a day as Chairman of a Committee of Government officials which will study problems of con- dominium owners. The Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations has an- nounced the appointment of this man, Darwin Kealey, and other members of the Committee, and the group will hold public hearings throughout the Province and is planning a conference to hear the public early next year. Evelyn Gigantes (NDP - Carleton East) attacked the appointment of Mr. Kealey as patronage, saying he has set up a riding office in the Ottawa suburban riding and has mailed literature to voters, although he has not been nominated yet to run again for the Conservatives. The group will recommend changes in legislation governing condominiums in time for action by the Legislature in the spring session. Liberal Pat Reid criticized the Solicitor General for doing nothing while organized crime escalated in Ontario, and called for an inquiry saying the inquiry in Quebec into organized crime had exposed some of the. ringleaders. He pointed out that it is generally agreed that publicity is one of the most effective weapons in dealing with this problem. However, the Minister main- tained that organized crime, while a serious problem, high on' the list of police priorities, does, not warrant a public inquiry. 1 1 Citizens News, December 1, 1976 -Page 7 Visit Our Store FOR A COMPLETE LINE OF Groceries * Confectionery Novelties Dairy Store MAIN ST - ZURICH PHONE 236-4930 •L'ti;6'.L'i?.54;G.LSJ.C?1.,L°i;.Cii•!'�7.L'ry.Lkr C=i'CR;^'."Li,',7C?y.L'`,9.Ltiy'`.^�L^zL`ie..Y^.C4;+. .Y;?'I: THE CHILDREN'S SAID SOCIETY REQUESTS YOUR SUPPORT FOR ITS CH 1 STMAS BU ', EAU Gifts, New and Nearly -New Toys and Clothing may be left at EXETER UNITED CHURCH DECEMBER 6 TO 10 Remember Teen-Agers Too: A A A Income Tax Receipts Issued For All Financial A 4 Donations (REG. 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