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PAGE 2, WHITY PME PRESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9,1i91 Local merchants willno care'S By Mike Kowalski At least two Whitby businesses will not ho charging the gooda anif services tai. Neither Jerry's - The Drug Warehouse, nor LA Haircutters intend to collect the foderal government's new seven per cent sales tax from their customers. Both husinesses plan to absorh the tax and spare their dlientele from having to pay it. Jerry Bel owner of The Drug Warehouse on Brock St.N. in- tends te pay his custorners1tax "as long as we can afford te keep the dors open.» Boîz said that while much of tho taxable merchandise ho selis in el Me for a rebate, ho would "I hik haJýIm-a year everyone will have the GST in- cluded in the. price,» said .Beiz. Ho also points out that his decision to ahosrb the tax was hased on his regular prices. " We're not like the chains (stores) that raised prices last fail and are making a big produc- tion out of lowering them now,» said Beîz. L.ouie Arangio owner of LA Haircutters on I5undas ýSt. W., knows ho must remit the tai te Ottawa in three months but is undecided if ho will pay. "It deponds on how they hit me,» said Arangio, it depends on how strong they are or we are.» Arangio said the GST is but one example of a government that has loat touch with the Weenot communists, they (Europe) are trying te get away from it but we)re moving te it. Arangio siaid that while Cana- dians generally tend te forçt controversial issues by election time, ho predicta the GBT wiIl be differont. «Wéeshouldn't forgbt, that they gave themselves GST-exempt raises.n (Members of Parliament recently awarded themselves a tax-froe allowance for office sup- plies.) Aranglo believes. that despite gvrnment assurances, Cana- dians will not be better off with the GST. Ho said those on fixed and lower incomes will especially find it difficuit. "Pensioners have to pay it. rve always given pensioners a doal here, why turn around and charge them GST?» Arangio said people shouid pay their fair share of taxes, but feels «enough'is enough.» «It cornes to a point when we have to say stop. Canada ishould say no.GSi.; period.» Hoping to capitalize on the attitude of Arangio- and liko- minded merchants is the Cana- dian People's Network. The lobby grounpians',to run advertisements in Toronto news- papers this week for persons mnterestod in *obtaining a "GST prevention kit.» Accorcing to spokesman Hg Reiily, thoekit consists of "GST refusai coupons" which con- sumera can present upon making a purchase. Mei coupon states that the. prhaser refuses to pay the tax *bocause of the way it was foroed on the people of Canada,» and if the store owner refuses te accept it, the consumer will tako his business elsowhoro. The organization is hoping store owners will accept the cou- pons for fear of losing sales and thon submit the coupons to Revenue Canada in lieu of monies collected for the GST. Although conceding many store owners will not accopt the coupons, Roiily said it wili only take a fow willing morchants to sot tho plan in motion. «I tlunk it will snowbali, it won't be able to ho 'stopped, people are mad.» Reailly said an "organized, thoughtful» proteat movement Taxi cabs are changing ovor to new meters that calculate GSI! which Canadians can "identify with *and feel part of" will ho succesaful in thwarting the. GST, even at this late date. "I think it will be a big test of the- Canadian public and the political system. «I cant remember when the. r vernient forced a pic of eégislation on the peope which was so tetally against their wishes. If we accept this, what will we accept next'I» Reiliy acknowledga that Canada has'a, «doficit Problem,» but says imposing anothor tai is the wrong way offiighting it. UThis government has not done enough toecut sponding. They've siashed programe, but many Of the ones that are worthwhule. Meanwhile, MPsi. are not paying GST on their office supplies.» Staind is sily but admirable To the. Editor. Doug Andersonls stand regarding the GSI! is silly, stupid, asainine, etc. but bold, admirable and properi I, and as time will prove, 25 million plus, other Canadian spineleas cretinsa will meeldy acquiesce. The advent of TV and its effect on [homo sapa] bears out McLuhan's sttement. Aftor 70Oyears, I finally pick up a pen and thank you (at. no personal coet). t W.C. Chcptiany Whitby See us for your freezer needs! LNHS C*ike B(Ds lla -2- -299lb k ewt s o o. - e le P tNo s mea -, u.- - or . $2 .99 * lb . Cn (D (D (D 4> a> E a> N a> G> w.- a- o o w- y> a> a> <o M a elgr-your'f