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*iii.miiiiui( 6 -Orono Weekly Times. Wednesday, March 4, 1998 Staying In Touch John O'Toole Durham East MPP The recent federal govern- ment's balanced budget was good news for every citizen. Finally governments have learned that you cannot spend more than you tax and Canadians are amongst the most taxed people in the world. However, ask yourself who made the payments? There are several fundamen- tals underlying this first bal- anced budget in over thirty years. First, the federal gov- ernment cut almost $7 billion dollars from health care, edu- cation and social programs to the provinces. Second, the low Interest and inflation allowed Canada to save almost $10 billion in interest payments. You must remem- ber that we continue to spend almost $45 billion in interest on our $583 billion accumu- lated debt. Third, the very strong Ontario economy rep- resents over 40% of the out- put of Canada. The dreaded GST filled the coffers of the federal government. You may also recall that the Prime Minister and Sheila Copps promised to cancel the GST. Fourth, like it or not, the free trade agreement has expand- ed our exports and Chretien was also going to cancel this. Some political parties say one thing and do whatever they want. Did Paul Martin balance the budget or did each and every one ofyou have to work over half the year to pay taxes to support the federal Liberal tax and spend policies? All the provinces have had to take the blame for the pro- gram spending reductions, while the federal government takes all the credit. You and I have noticed the impacts in education and health care. Ontario is now spending over $18 billion on health care despite the federal funding being cut by over $2 billion. Ontario spends $1,638.00 per capita on health care, 3.5% higher than the rest of Canada. Youth unemployment is a serious problem. Ontario requested that federal Finance Minister Paul Martin eliminate employment insur- ance (EI) for all youth under 24. There was nothing in this budget to assist in creating jobs. The EI fund has a $6.5 billion dollar surplus this year and an accumulated surplus of over $13 billion. Payroll taxes are a tax on job creation. Small business needs more capital with which to work. The federal budget response was to allow small employers to deduct the premiums they pay for health and dental insurance. Our government has eliminated that employer health tax for small business. Ontario has the lowest provincial income tax and in fact, we set the lower thresh- old that the federal govern- ment has yet to match. Over half a million Ontarians with the lowest income do not pay any provincial income tax but many will still pay federal income tax. In part, Martin admitted that in the future, they would consider an income tax reduction. Many jurisdictions now realize that by lower taxes, you actually stimulate the economy and increase revenue. As Martin makes his move for the Liberal leadership, I can only hope that he is different than Chretien and Copps and keeps his promises. This past week, Iattended The Newcastle Lions Club met for their regular meeting on Feb. 25th in the Lions Room at the Newcastle Community Hall. President, George Rickard acted as chairman and welcomed 29 members and prospective new member Gordon Jilks. President George also wel- a three day caucus retreat. We discussed the past 2 1/2 years and reviewed each min- istry's spending. The future was our main focus as our premier was preparing for the throne speech for the next session in April. As part of my consultations with con- stituents, I suggested that we proceed cautiously and ensure that the changes we have made are supported during the transition. Health care, education, municipal restructuring and welfare reforms are the main areas of our reforms. I had an oppor- tunity to speak to many min- isters on important issues in my constituency. I recognize that we are committed to doing what we promised but I also recognize that a govern- ment must listen and respond to the needs of all the people. We promised a balanced budget by the year 2000 & 2001. As our Ontario economy expands, revenues have increased just as we promised. We will proceed cautiously with our plan of tax cuts to allow the private sector to create jobs. If you have any suggestions, please call my constituency office at 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661- 2433. This past weekend, we had our annual hockey tourna- ment with the Quebec mem- bers of the National Assembly (MNA'S). This event between guebec and Ontario is called, "The Friendship Series." In the past two years, the event has been sponsored by Molson's Brewery. We have raised money for charity, met our counterparts from Quebec and had lots of fun. Ontario has won both series but we are humble in any ref- erence to the outcome and prefer to focus on the friend- ship and understanding the event builds. After the tournament, there were speeches in both official languages. Our Premier, who played in the series, made a humourous comment which was loudly applauded by everyone. He said, during the games, the Quebec fans were loudest chanting, "Go Quebec Go" but he chanted "Stay Quebec Stay." It was great to see the non-federalists smile along side their pro-federalists Quebec and Ontario fans. Most of all, often it relieves stress if you can laugh at yourself once in a while, espe- cially in politics. Have a great week. comed Graham Lewis and three members of the Peterborough Lions club and John Ogden from the Bewdley and District Lions Club as well as Otto Buitenweg of the Cobourg Lions Club. Lions.Graham and John were here with their support groups campaigning for District Office. A delicious dinner of meat loaf, scalloped potatoes and carrots topped off by apple crisp was ably served by the Providence-Shaws Women's Institute. Lions Frank Hoar and Dave Robinson gave personal biographies of themselves in the Members "Who's Who" portion of the evening. Between them they account for 53 years of Lions service. Guest speaker for the evening was Past International Director Bill Maguire, introduced by Lion Peter DeJong, Bill gave a very interesting account of his life in Lonism, from joining the Cobourg Club in 1964, to being installed as International Director at International Convention in New Orleans in 1977. Having served in the Navy, Bill met his lovely wife Doris in Ireland and they have seven grown children. In private life, Bill operated a Travel Agency in Newcastle Lions News PUBLIC NOTICE TO ITS, CITIZENS NOTICE 0F PASSING OF A BYLAW IN THE MATTER of the Ontario Heritage A<:, R.S.O. 1990, C.O. 18: AND IN THE MATTER of the lands and premises at 5028 Main Street, Orono, former Township of Clarke, now in the Municipality of Clarington, in the Province of Ontario: TAKE NOTICE THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON has passed By-law 98-35 designat- ing the property as being of architectural and/or historic value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, C.O. 18. The L-shaped resîdence was constructed in 1876 by Joseph Lyle Tucker, using decorative buff brick quoins, voussoirs and coursing which were very fashionable in the 1870's. Today its wooden finials, pendants and gingerbread remain in good condition. The carriage house and wood plank shed are also well preserved and assumed to be constructed at the same time. Dated at the Municipality of Ciarington this 25th day February 1998. Patti L. Barrie, A.M.C.T. Clerk Municipality oF Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario Li C 3A6 MUNtCIPALIT Y 0F (ja rmgton ONTARIO Date of Publication Wed., March 4,1998 PO. #5104 Cobourg. Bill also, gave a brief account of the workings of the International Board. Thank you was conveyed along with a gift of apprecia- tion by Lion Dave Robinson. Thank you notes were read from Dist A3 Effective Speaking Chairman for dona- tion and the Ontario Street Public School for the dona- tion towards their student exchange. The Project Committee recommended that the club donate $8,000.00 to the Clarington Fire Department this being the amount needed to complete the defibrillator program. This recommenda- tion was voted on and passed with the official presentation to be made at a later date. Official report from the Lions Foundation of Canada shows that in the 1997 Walk- A-Dog-A-Thon the Newcastle Lions raised more money for Canine Vision than any other Lions Club in Canada. Winnipeg Lions raised the second highest amount and Fort Erie Lions third. Newcastle Lions wish to thank the community for the outstanding support that made this possible. The next regular meeting of the Newcastle Lions Club will take place in the Lions Room on March 11. Guest speaker will be local author Greg Ward. Guests are wel- come call Peter DeJong 987- 5293 for confirmation. LKýoffl 2oo... 30 eao f!à