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10 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, June 9, 2010 Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole Ontario's HST is a Tax on Summer From going on vacation to visiting a country fair or sending kids to camp, Ontario's looming Harmonized Sales Tax is proving to be a tax on summer. In the Ontario Legislature last week, Opposition Leader Tim Hudak reminded Premier McGuinty that when a family goes on summer vacation, they'll be paying an extra eight per cent for gasoline, the hotel where they stay, and the various arts and cultural events they may attend. For couples getting married this summer, the HST will be an uninvited guest at the wedding and it will follow them on the honeymoon through added travel costs. Gym memberships, home renovation & repairs, lawn maintenance, golf fees, bicycles, haircuts and veterinarian services are a few more examples of how wide-reaching the HST will be. According to the Ontario Home Care Association, seniors will pay $315 a year more for HST on home care. Families will also find that the HST makes it more expensive to register their son or daughter for soccer or baseball. It will become more expensive to rent ice for hockey school, to pay for the ballet lessons, green fees or other recreational activities. Parents arranging summer camp for their children are finding that it's going to cost them another eight per cent. Ontario's agricultural fairs are already on tight budgets and require the help of generous volunteers in order to support their annual exhibitions. This year, there will be HST on everything from the trades who set up the midway to the entertainment booked for the stage. There's no evidence that the McGuinty government will consider any measures to ease the HST or to follow the advice of the majority of Ontarians and repeal it altogether. The Official Opposition is continuing to fight this tax. Non-Smoking Initiative Targets Youths Tobacco kills more than 13,000 people in Ontario every year, is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the province, and costs the Ontario economy $1.6 billion in direct health care along with $4.4 billion in productivity losses. As part of World No Tobacco Day May 31, Ontario announced new tobacco control programs to target the 650,000 young people most at risk of starting smoking. New initiatives to prevent youths from starting smoking and to encourage them to quit include youth engagement coordinators in Ontario's 36 public health units to oversee youth tobacco control activities. There will also be grassroots programs to reach more young persons through each of Ontario's Tobacco Control area networks as well as grants for young people to plan and implement creative tobacco control initiatives for their peers. These initiatives may include sporting events and activities that promote a smoke-free lifestyle. Perhaps the government could do even more to prevent smoking if it was serious about prohibiting illegal cigarettes. Bill Would Affect Livestock Compensation Bill 68 may, if passed, cut compensation for farmers who lose livestock to wolves or coyotes as well as beekeepers whose hives are damaged. The Open for Business Act amends the Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act to remove legislated compensation for farmers who lose livestock, including sheep, cattle, goats, rabbits, swine and poultry over 25 kg to wolves or coyotes. Ontario's Opposition Agriculture Critic, Ernie Hardeman, warned last week that the provincial government is trying to use its Open for Business bill to hide the fact that support for farmers is being cut. Bill 68, Open for Business Act, 2010, may be described as an omnibus bill because it covers more than just one topic and has impacts on many aspects of government policy. "The government is trying to use this omnibus bill to hide the fact that they are once again cutting support for farmers," said Mr. Hardeman during debate on the bill. "This legislation is a wolf in sheep's clothing and the government isn't prepared to pay for the damages." In my view, removing the legislated policy on compensation opens the door for government to reduce compensation in the future or end it altogether. Retirement Homes Legislation Gets Third Reading Ontario's legislation on retirement homes has received third reading, but the next step will be consultation into the details of the new retirement home regulations. The province will be working with seniors groups, healthcare experts and the retirement home industry to develop mandatory care and safety standards. The legislation passed last week also creates a regulatory authority with the power to licence retirement homes, conduct inspections and enforce the law. The real issue is the government's lack of support for seniors aging at home or in long-term care. As with all Ontario legislation, your comments are welcome. I may be reached at: 905-6971501 or 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org. Making Ontario Accessible More than 1.8 million Ontarians have a disability, and this number is rising as the population ages. By 2017, the number of Ontarians aged 65 and older will account for a larger share of the population than children aged 0-14. Given this trend, it is clear that accommodating persons with disabilities will be a major priority for all levels of government, for agencies and businesses. The first customer service standards to be implemented under the province's accessibility legislation are already in place for the broader public service. By January 1, 2012, Ontario businesses will also have to meet this standard. Ontario is currently developing four more accessibility standards covering information and communications, employment, transportation, and the built environment. The release of the Charles Beer review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, marked the start of National Access Awareness Week June 1 - 7. Panel Reviews Policies Against SLAPP Lawsuits Many citizens or organizations taking an active role in issues affecting their community are concerned that they may be hit by so-called SLAPP lawsuits. SLAPP is an acronym for Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation. This form of litigation attempts to threaten and/or silence critics by long and costly court proceedings. A three-person panel will look into the SLAPP lawsuit problem and seek ways for courts to quickly recognize a SLAPP suit, along with remedies for SLAPP suits and appropriate limits to protect citizens and organizations. The panel will consult with the public and provide advice to the Attorney General by the end of September 2010. Church Directory Newcastle United Church 84 Mill St. S., 905-987-4515 Nursery Care Provided Wheelchair Accessible Rev. James Feairs, B.A., M.Div., Minister Orono United Church Rev. Timothy Dayfoot newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca 111 Church St. N. orono.uc@rogers.com 905-485-5502 Sunday, June 13 Worship, Faith in Motion Workshop activities. Sunday, June 13 Everyone Welcome! Wheelchair Accessible Nursery Room Available Rev. Canon David R. Saunders, CD Anglican Churches 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 New Website: www.stsavioursorono.ca St. George's - Newcastle 250 Mill St. S. · 905-987-2019 8 a.m. - Commumion 11:15 a.m. - Worship , Sunday School Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday · Morning Prayer 2nd & 4th Sunday Coffee and Fellowship to follow AUCTION SALE MacGREGOR AUCTIONS AUCTION SALE 9:00 am (viewing 8:00 am) Located in Orono Take 401 to 115/35 Hwy, Exit at Main St. Orono & follow signs to Mill Pond Rd. Sunday, June 13 Auction features a Varied Selection of Articles Past to Present, plus the remaining articles from a local Craft Store, including: Ceramic & Wood Paint tables, Giftware, Wrapping paper, Bags, Candles and related items, PartyLite Selection, Silk flowers, etc. Collectibles include: Bowls, Coke trays, Glass & China, Costume Jewelry, 4 Guitars, Violin, Clarinet, Gingerbeer & Milk bottles, old Books & Magazines, Diningroom set, Chairs, misc Tables, Leathercraft tools, Thickness & Board Planers (rigid), Shop Vac, Powerwasher, Exercise Equipment, Treadmill, Bikes, etc. Large auction, come early, stay late. Note early start time. Crafts sell at 9:00. Watch for our auction June 29, including contents of a local estate. Terms: Cash, Visa, M/C & Interac (10% buyers premium) see: www.macgregor.theauctionadvertiser.com MacGREGOR AUCTIONS 905-987-2112 1-800-363-6799 ESTATE AUCTION ESTATE AUCTION Stapleton Auctions Friday, June 11th, 5:00 p.m. Selling a Hope Twp. estate and Port Granby Estate: 9pc. Walnut Depression Dining Room Suite; Old Extension Table; Drop Leaf Table; set 5 Cane Chairs; 2 Antique China Cabinets; Tea Wagon; Silver Chests; 7ft. Flat Back Antique Cupboard; Music Cabinet; Occ. Tables; Occ. Chairs; Dressers; Chests; Washstands; Cedar Chest; Gramophone; Sewing Machine; Pine Boxes; Oil Lamps; Pictures; Prints; Paintings; Artwork; Crocks; Clocks; Bottles; Glassware; Chinaware; Depression Glass; Graniteware; Enamelware; Cast Ironware; Brass; Silver; Collectibles; Antiques; tools; etc. Preview after 2:00 p.m. No Pets please CHECK WEBSITE FOR FULL LISTING Terms: Cash, Approved Cheque, Visa, Interac, Mastercard 10% Buyers Premium Auctioneers: Frank and Steve Stapleton 905.786.2244, 1.800.263.9886 www.stapletonauctions.com `estate specialists since 1971' Newtonville