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pope. 8,whiby Fr.. Pnms, W.esday, Juiuaiy 2ý, 1993 whatb esiee Palmer: Government gets failing grade in economies B y Mark Reesor The Bob Rae Igoernmont doesn't understand basic econo- mica, charges Ontario Chamber of Commerce president- Pat Pal- mer. Speaking at Whitby Chamber OfCommerce's annual general meeting Wednesday, Palmer slammed the NDP goverrnment for pummelling business, killing investor confidence and piling on debt. Ho says the. provincial debt now works out te, more than $10,000 per person. That's ini addition te the $20,000 or se, each Canadian ewes becauso of fedoral gevernment borrewing. The highor minimum wage, increased workmens' compensa- tion promiums, hydre rates and taxes and reforms te the Ontario Labour Relations Act are i- creasing costs and causing busi- ness fai ures.- .And things aren't likely to improve much this year, says Pal mer. k'Business laeks confidence to, inveat and consumera still worry about retaining their jobs (se) they are net spending at recovery rates." More than 25 per cent of our <human capital," including those aged 16 te 25, depend on un- employment insurance or other social services, says Palmer. Ho says tests on that age group show 28 per cent are net fully literate and 44 per cent have trouble with math, and notes Ontario atudents finished last in math and beat out only Newfoundland and New Bruns- wick in science in the last inter- provincial competitions. «How can our people compete in the future knowledge-based businesses? Lesa than 50 per cent of our current workforce have a secondary school diploma and bass than 30 per cent have a university or college degree.» Palmer saya ho 1grees with two Tillsonburg studenta who closed a letter to him by saying «achool is a bridge te the future and no one aheuld be allowed te jump off." To combat the problem, the chamber has started a 'Second Thought' program, ho says. Local c h mber members meet with students who've dropped eut or are considering doing 50 and tell them hew important they are te the econemy. ONTARIO CHAMBER of Com- merce president Pat Palmer attacked the provincial govern- ment in an address at the Whitby chambers annual meeting last week. Photo by Mark Reesor. Whltby Free Press Palmer says the chamber is aise working to remove inter- provincial trade barriers and encouraging members to work toward increasing productivity and expanding markets and pro- duct lines. «We muet build competitive- ness through human capital. There's no room in this province for armchair coaches or silent spectaters ... Computer inf>session ITere w,41 be a 'computer in- formation panel at the Jan. 27 meeting of the Durham Business & Professional Women's Club. The panel will provide infor- mation relevant te ail levels of computer comfort and know- ledge. Leah Murray will be modera- ter. The meeting, at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa begins at 6 p.m. (reoeption), wit' dinner at 6:45 p.m. Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. To reserve caîl Karen iGraham at 427-6930 or Joan Ann Evelyn at 725-9179. Euls is new chamber president There is a lot te ho optimistic about in 1993, says the new president of the Whitby Chaxnber of Commerce. Jim Ellis, of Consumera Gas, says '<Whitby is a vibrant, grow- ing and very exciting place to, be, esecially in the business sector.» Outgemng chamber president Trevor Bardons passed the gavaI te Ellis at the chamber's annual general meeting on Jan. 13. "Our chamber continues te, grow continues te attract new people who are prepared te offer their expertise, energy and coin- mitmnent te, this community on aur board and committeos -- it must mean that we're doing something right," says Ells. Lynn Woods is firat vice-pro- aident of the chamber and AlIan Faux is second vice-president. Debbie Sweetmnan is executive- secretary, John Patte is trea- surer, Bardons past president. The new board of directera for '93 includes Ian Bergin of BDO Dunwoody Ward Mallette, Jim Bradfield of American Express, Vicki Deighten of Deighton Asso- diates Ltd. Jim Holmes of Anderson \Tterinary Clinic, Marc Kealey of Marc Kealey Consultin, Janie Leschinsky of Durham Ttors Dave Lyman of CKDO Radia, han Maurier of United Technologies Automotive, Rab Morris of Trw Consulting Enginoers Ltd., Greg Pargetter of Paoer Engineering ,Group Ltd., Richard Pecnian of OGS Group. Advisers te, the board are Lyda Lawson of the Downtewn Business Improvement Area and Brune Scanga of the Jayoees. FR55 SEMINAS Ja.26, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb, 1 RRSP Selection and Strategy Seminar Highlights: 0 Pay Iess tax and have sheltered growth. *Use the balanced approach to enhance your RRSP returns. DEREK DUTKA *The RRSP with 40% more tax savingsl *Integrate your RRSP into yourA overail investment strategy. *And much more. Get the most out of your RRSP. Calil for reservation NOW! Seating Is imited. Sevig s .byan Ohaa in e.8 666RRS ~j Good News + Local News in theWHITBY FREE PRESS