The Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-09-09, Page 5Wednesday, September 9, 2015 • Lucknow Sentinel 5
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www.lucknowsentinel.com
Estate Administration Tax ualkplaockivtsFall
Another Tax Grab
MPP for Huron -Bruce Lisa
Thompson
For the past decade, Ontarians
have been seen their hard earned
dollars evaporate faster than ever
as the Liberal government contin-
ues to introduce new taxes; raise
hydro rates and misspend tax dol-
lars. Now the Liberal Party has
sunk to a new low with their intent
to further tax the deceased and
their loved ones. Since the govern-
ment announced their intention to
bring forward this compassionless
tax, I have received many letters
and emails from people through-
out Huron -Bruce upset about yet
another insensitive Liberal tax
grab, this time when families are at
their most emotionally vulnerable.
Please trust I share your outrage
and want to let you all know that I
stand with you and your loved
ones.
In 2011, my colleagues and I
strongly opposed the budget that
would give the Minister of Finance
the authority to bring in changes
to the Estate Administration Tax.
Four years later, without any
debate or allowing those of us who
oppose it the opportunity to voice
our concerns in the Legislature,
they have finally gotten around to
introducing it with devastating
results.
These changes in the Estate
Administration Tax now broaden
the criteria of what will be affected
(like the value of clothing owned by
the deceased), shortens the
amount of time that is required to
comply with the rules and
increases the penalties for misfil-
ing. The end result is that people
who are still in shock over the
death of a loved one will be forced
to try to pull information together
in a very short period of time - or
face significant penalties.
An executor is now required to
access, appraise and value any
and all property owned at the time
of death (excluding anything that
is passed directly to a spouse or
through joint ownership) on a
tight 90 day timeline, and include
assets that are being gifted to char-
ity. The tax is then calculated and
must be paid immediately to the
Province of Ontario as a deposit.
In Ontario, this means that the
estate will pay $5 for every $1,000
worth of property up to $50,000
total property value, and $15 for
every $1,000 worth of property
past the $50,000 total threshold. In
comparison, most other provinces
charge $3 to $6 for every $1,000 of
property with no changes for over
$50,000.
Most alarmingly, if an executor
fails to file the required estate
information or makes false or mis-
leading statements (which could
happen innocently when people
are put under pressure), they could
be found guilty of an offense and
face stiff penalties, including up to
two years in prison.
With the introduction of the Car-
bon Tax, the Payroll Tax, and now
the Death Tax, the Liberals seem to
be on a mission to make life harder
for families in Huron -Bruce and
across the province, and now our
legacies have been reduced to
nothing but a dollar sign.
This policy will do nothing but
further stress those who have
already suffered a devastating loss.
The Liberals need to show more
compassion for people who are
dealing with difficult circum-
stances. We know the Liberals
have a spending problem, but it
has escalated to the point where
we are taxed to death - every
which way you look at it. Shame
on them.
CORRECTION
Dr. Dan Dalton
Air speaks at
Kingsbridge Centre
opening
Valerie Gillies
Lucknow Sentinel
An omission of a very important
speaker occurred in the article
"Grand Opening celebration takes
place in Kingsbridge" that appeared
on page 6 of the September 2, 2015
edition of the Lucknow Sentinel.
Following the Ribbon Cutting, Dr.
Dan Dalton gave a history of the
Diocese of St. Joseph's Kings-
bridge from the beginning of the
congregation through the build-
ing of St. Joseph's Church and
the importance that this build-
ing had played in the commu-
nity and its families through-
out its existence. He emphasized
the history that this diocese had
amassed within the walls of the
church and the generations of fami-
lies to whom it was a central part
of their own personal histories.
Submitted Photo
Dr. Dan Dalton completed hours of research to present a history of the Diocese of St. Joseph's, Kingsbridge at the
Grand Opening Ceremonies held at the St. Joseph's Community Kingsbridge Centre on September 2, 2015.
Pat Livingston
Lucknow Agricultural Society
Who goes to the fair?
One area of the fair games is
centered on the age, distance
and size. Can you guess what it
is?
No? Ok, I'll tell you. It's the oldest
lady and gent at the fair, the couple
and individual coming from the
greatest distance, and the largest
family at the fair.
If you think you can qualify for
one of these categories, make
sure you register at the fair office
before 4 p.m. on the Saturday of
the fair. Check out the prizes you
could win simply by coming to
the fair and making sure you
register!
See more details in the fair book
(page 19) or www.lucknowagsoci-
ety.ca
This year's fair runs September
18, 19 and 20 with the theme
"Country Bumpkins, Harvest
Pumpkins".
Saturday evening
entertainment
Entertainment for Saturday even-
ing (September 19) at the Lucknow
Fall Fair takes on a different twist
this year.
Jeff West, hypnotist, has been
booked with a show time of 8:30.
West's web page (jeffwest.ca) pro-
motes him as providing "humor
and comedy in a presentation
that is focused totally on audi-
ence participation." Sounds like
fun!
The arena opens at 7 p.m., the show
is at 8:30 with a social time following.
Tickets are $20.
This is an age of majority evening
with alcoholic drinks and wings
available.
www. lucknowagsociety. ca.
letter to the editor
Thank you to Music
in the Fields
It was my first time attending the
Music in the Fields event, and I
just wanted to give a big Thank You
to all involved. It was very well
organized and the Volunteers and
everyone involved did an incredi-
ble job. The bands were awesome.
Thank You from me and my seven
companions and we are looking
forward to attending 2016. Thank
You, Thank You, Thank You.
Phillip Norris