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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JUNE 19,2002 PAGE A9 Bring on tobacco tax hike says doctor BY NATALIE MILLER Staff Writer DURHAM - The region's top doctor applauds a tax increase on cigarettes while police here keep watch of associated organized crime. A rise in the cost of cigarette cartons traditionally triggers an increase increase in the smuggling of tobacco, tobacco, but an officer in the customs and excise unit of the RCMP Toronto East detachment in Bow- manville said officers aren't predicting predicting any drastic changes. "RCMP officers in the field, at this point, do not see it as a problem," problem," said Corporal Larry Campbell. Campbell. "What the future will bring, we don't know. When cigarettes were taxed very high (in the past) it opened the route for organized crime." As part of the provincial budget delivered Monday, Finance Minister Minister Janet Ecker announced smokers smokers will immediately pay $9 more for a carton of cigarettes as part of a joint tax hike with the federal government. A tax hike posed a significant organized crime risk prior to the introduction of an RCMP antismuggling antismuggling initiative in 1994, said Corp. Campbell. "It had become a huge problem across Canada," he added. More officers were trained and designated to the customs and excise project that's still in place. A rise in the cost of cigarettes is good news for the health of Ontario Ontario residents, particularly younger ones, according to the Ontario Medical Association. The group issued a news release Monday Monday commending the joint lax increase increase as a way of discouraging young people from smoking. Studies Studies show price increases reduce the amount of young smokers and the total number of cigarettes they smoke. It could prevent as many as 35,000 tobacco-related deaths, the association noted. This region's medical officer of health is also impressed with the tax hike. "Medical officers of health across Ontario advocated for the increase in tobacco taxes," said Dr. Robert Kyle. "(I'm) very pleased with the government response." Economic statement promised in fall ECONOMIC from pane I had to respond to," she said. "We had to take a sensible and balanced approach... approach... but we did not sacrifice our long-term goals for the sake of this temporary situation." In fact, the plan to cut small business business corporate taxes to 5.5 per cent in January 2003 will go ahead as scheduled and Ms. Ecker said another another 50,000 people will be exempt from personal income taxes through an enrichment of the 'Ontario lax reduction' reduction' program. Other highlights of the fourth balanced balanced budget in a row from the Province include an over seven-per cent increase in hospital funding and $l 17 million in new funding lor education. education. Ms. Ecker also said in the wake of Walkcrton and with oilier questions being raised about provincial water quality, another $500 million will be spent over the next two years on safe and clean drinking water initiatives. "We kept the budget balanced and focused on our priorities of health care, education and protecting the environment," she said, adding all economic indicators point to growth of three per cent this year and four per cent next year, allowing the 'lories 'lories to get hack to the same tax-cutting tax-cutting platform they have followed since the Common Sense Revolution began in 1995. . Ms. Ecker said an economic statement statement updating the slate of the Province's books would come this fall and another budget is expected next spring. "Serious problems' with Courtice corridor SERIOUS from page I ed about halfway between Trulls Road and Avondale Drive. The main central area would include include commercial development with a shopping mall as its anchor as well as open space, a community centre and emergency service station station housing fire, police and possibly possibly ambulance. A trail and sidewalk system and civic square are also planned for the main central area. Land uses outside the node include medium density (townhomes and low-rise dwellings such as a seniors' complex, condominiums condominiums or apartments) residential use. Across from the node, on the north side of Hwy. 2, zoning would allow for "mixed use" of professional professional offices, retail and personal service stores. But Bob Hann, a commercial developer developer who owns a significant amount of property within the des ignated main central area, said he is through discussing the corridor plan with staff and will be taking his views to the Ontario Municipal Board. "Serious problems remain," said the commercial developer. "It's a waste of time to rehash our positions. We will be referring it to the OMB," he told the committee. Mr. Hann complained the plan calls for 23 per cent of his land to be designated for roads and open space. Although this is a reduction from 35 per cent originally recommended, recommended, he said, "We do not accept the notion that to take away a quarter quarter instead of a third of our land is acceptable." The municipality would purchase 21 of the 23 per cent of the open space and road property from Mr. Hann with the remaining two per cent to be dedicated by Mr. Hann as required under the planning act's parkland designation. Mr. Hann also BOWMANVILLE FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE Dr. Kathlynn Hoch & Associates , • Chiropractic • Custom Orthotics and Shoes New Patients Welcome ' Massage Therapy • Naturopathy ______ "Acupuncture • Motor Vehicle Accident & Work Related Injury • No Referral Necessary • Saturday and Evening Appointments I NEW LOCATION! 5 GEORGE ST., BOWMANVILLE 905»623»8388 | disputed certain design elements of the node. Also unhappy with the plan are properly owners fronting onto Hwy. 2 to the cast of the main central area. Their properties are to be zoned for medium-density residential use. Most of the property owners arc long-time residents who would like the opportunity to turn their houses into businesses or one day sell their properties for commercial use. Derek Baird, a real estate agent and one of the affected property owners, told the committee it is not just those with a vested interest who are against zoning that part of the Hwy. 2 corridor for apartments and townhouses. "Many residents of Courtice" would like to see this part of the street dedicated to a mixture of uses including professional offices, retail stores and restaurants, he said. The real estate agent maintains the busy highway is not conducive to residential development. That position was supported by Hwy. 2 resident George Gouldburn who said his own home is 70 feet back from the highway and the noise and traffic congestion are disruptive, disruptive, especially during rush-hour traffic. He questioned the wisdom of placing residential development nine metres or less from the road. Despite his concerns about zoning and severance on property in his area, Mr. Gouldburn, who sat on a study committee, said he believed many positive decisions had come out of the study process for Courtice. Courtice. The report will go back to the committee in the fall following a summer recess. 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