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Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Orono Weekly Times - 9 Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole strength of our community to be innovative, to work hard, and to work together on a recovery. The next few years will continue to be a challenge for manufacturing in Ontario. Over 300,000 jobs have been lost in the manufacturing sector alone. We need leadership from all levels of government to win these jobs back. Your comments would be welcome. I may be reached at (905) 6971501, 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail:john.otooleco@pc.ola.org Ontario Moving to Time of Use Energy Prices The Ontario government has mandated new time-of-use electricity meters to be installed in our homes. As of May 1, the following fees apply to a small number of Ontarians who already have time-of-use pricing: Peak rates are 9.1 cents per kilowatt hour, with mid-peak rates of 7.6 cents and off-peak at 4.2 cents. Since current electricity prices are about 5.3 cents per kilowatt hour, the increase on our hydro bills could be almost 50%. While everyone is in favour of using electricity wisely, the real financial impact of time-of-use-meters remains to be seen. The provincial government estimates that one million Ontario households will be connected to time-of-use electricity meters by next summer, and approximately 3.6 million by the summer of 2011. To some extent, Ontarians can choose to run appliances such as dishwashers and dryers later in the evenings, when lower rates apply. However, this government also needs to recognize the fact that, in a 24/7 world, the higher rates will hurt hardworking families hardest because their schedules don't permit them to use energy in off-peak hours. I would urge consumers to monitor their hydro bills to find out exactly how much more we are paying with time-of-use meters. Green Energy Law Puts Ontario in the Red Members of the Official Opposition fully support green energy. But the problem with a new law passed at Queen's Park last week is that it will put Ontario consumers in the red. Bill 150 made headlines for its proposed mandatory energy audit that would be required when a home was sold. Following opposition from homeowners across Ontario, the energy audit was withdrawn. However, the legislation continues be a cause for concern. The provincial government has failed to provide details about the impacts of Bill 150. So, our caucus engaged an independent consultant, London Economics International, to review Bill 150 and report on its implications. One of the key findings in the study is that it will drive up household energy costs by as much as $1,200 per year. Ontarians will eventually pay more for energy under this legislation than the province spends per year on healthcare. And that's before the new increase resulting from extended provincial sales tax expected next July 2010. Contrary to some of the claims made in connection with Bill 150, the legislation does not encourage conservation. Those who conserve may see their electricity bills increase anyway. For every 100 MW of wind power created, the provincial government Truck Plant Closing a Sad Day for Durham The closing of the GM truck plant May 14 is a sad day for Durham Riding and the wider auto sector throughout Ontario. All levels of government, along with manufacturers, unions and indeed all stakeholders must resolve to provide the support necessary to keep the auto sector viable. This means co-operation among all the partners and initiatives to protect pensioners, create new jobs, offer educational opportunities for those who are out of work, improve the safety net, and preserve existing jobs. Any action by government must respect the fact that taxpayers' money is being spent and there must be full transparency and accountability. Oshawa's GM truck plant had produced 10 million trucks and earned numerous awards for quality. It operated 44 years and employed approximately 2,600. Most recently, it had received the 2007 North American Truck of the Year Award for the Chevrolet Silverado. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada also named the Chevrolet Silverado as its 2008 Truck of the Year. Although today's truck plant had been established in 1965, Chevrolet trucks have been built in Oshawa since 1919. The closing last week was truly the end of an era. I remain confident in the will have to build gas-fired generating stations as a backup. This, in turn, would create more greenhouse gases. And, while claims have been made that Bill 150 will create more jobs, the report commissioned by our caucus warns that higher energy costs could make Ontario less competitive and drive jobs out of the province. The increased energy prices ignore today's economic reality and the fact that Ontario's consumers cannot shoulder extra burdens when they are already struggling to get by. MPPs Support Ontario Pork Producers Last Wednesday, Ontario MPPs were invited to join leaders from the agriculture community for a "Put Ontario Pork on Your Fork luncheon at Queen's Park. As well as focusing on a variety of dishes featuring Ontario Pork, the event was an opportunity to emphasize the safety of pork and its value to the Ontario economy. The industry provides employment for an estimated 33,000 Ontarians and contributes $4.7 billion to the provincial economy. We have highly-respected pork producers right here in Durham. Please support Ontario agriculture by buying local products. Church Directory Newcastle United Church 84 Mill St. S. · 905-987-4515 newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca Orono United Church 111 Church St. N. 905-485-5502 orono.uc@rogers.com Rev. Jim Feairs, B.A., M.Div. Sunday May 24th U.C.W. Sunday 10:30 am Worship Faith in Motion (3yrs to teen) Workshop Rotation "People Who Made a Difference" Nursery Care Provided Rev. Dorinda Vollmer 905-697-9715 Sunday May 24th U.C.W. Sunday Guest Speaker Rev. Virginia Brand Service begins at 11am Sunday School and Nursery Room provided Wheelchair Accessible Rev. Canon David R. Saunders, CD Anglican Churches St. George's - Newcastle 250 Mill St. S. · 905-987-2019 8 a.m. - Holy Communion 11:15 a.m. - Worship, Sunday School Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer 2nd & 4th Sunday Coffee and Fellowship to follow St. Saviour's - Orono 27 Mill Street · 905-987-2019 9:30 a.m. - Worship, Sunday School, Youth Group Holy Communion - 1st & 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer - 2nd & 4th Sunday Coffee and Fellowship to follow