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I / f I < I • Wednesday, August 10, 2005 ♦Sü&z Subscriptions $32.71 + $2.29 GST = $35.00 per year. Publications Mail Registration No. 09301 • Agreement No. 40012366 Publishing 48 issues annually at the office of publication. "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs." Canada A 0003 ORONO WEEKLY TIMES - 5310 Main St., P.O. Box 209, Orono, ON LOB 1M0 Email: oronotimes@rogers.com or Phone^ax 905-983-5301 Publisher/Editor Margaret Zwart • Sports and Display Advertising - Donna Wood Front Office and Classified Advertising - Rosey Bateman The Orono Weekly Times welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to our readers. Opinions expressed to the editor a h nd ^' e ^,^mturneTwe reserve^he rSrt^editloTlengfh^Sand 0 slaS^Tyour mtS What've you been doing this summer? It's back to work we go, after a two week respite from business business of publishing a community newspaper. Even though we put a notice in our last paper before the holiday announcing that there would be no paper for the next two weeks, due to the annual summer shut down, it is very encouraging to know that more than just a few of our readers were left wondering why they didn't get a paper for the last two weeks. Not to worry, we're on track again with weekly deliveries till the Christmas shut down, 19 weeks away. Other than a quick trip to Toronto and a weekend campout at Kingston I spent almost all of my two weeks in the backyard backyard listening to the radio. Sunday's Cross Country Check-up, CBC Radio's national phone-in show was on vacations, where the question was asked, "Are you getting what you need from your vacation? While personal needs are as varied as there are types of vacations, it seems, at least from the people that called in, that the westerners were travelling east this year, and the easterners easterners were going west. Both groups of people exclaimed at the great beauty this country has to offer, especially on the opposite opposite coast. Judging by the people that called in, It seemed by and large, Canadians were getting rejuvenated from their vacations. vacations. Of course the type of people who call talks shows, probably probably aren't they type of people who would- talk to the nation about a lousy vacation. While a lot of people called in who were or had been on an extensive road trip, several others had travelled many miles to attend family reunions. In fact our resident American, Mrs. Burnside went to Florida to attend a family reunion, and to cool off. Rosey here at the office spent two weeks at a cottage in Huntsville, and Donna, stayed around home in Kendal, and made road trips. She did take in the Blue Man Group show in Toronto, which sounded too weird for words, but she said it was very funny. In any case, while we've all reached different levels of rejuvination, and are ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole Liberals have no plan for electricity in Ontario It's been a long, hot summer summer for the Dalton McGuinty Liberals. They have seen their electricity policy melting in the summer sun. The absence of any semblance of an electricity electricity plan was obvious last week when Premier McGuinty warned Ontarians it will be two to three years before the power crunch is resolved. This wasn't the message we heard two years ago. You will recall that the McGuinty Liberals campaigned campaigned in the 2003 election on a strategy of low hydro rates. Once in power, they broke their promise and raised the rates. The Liberal solution of paying more and getting less is no more acceptable in the energy sector than it is in healthcare or any other branch lt« up iir ifE- H m*m lp| IS™ of government. . Since June, the Independent Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has issued appeals for the conservation of electricity on 11 days. Last week, they went one step further further and reduced voltage to further conserve power. This is sometimes referred to as a "brown out" and is just one step away from actually cutting cutting power to protect the electrical electrical system. At peak hours during the heat wave, Ontario was forced to import over 3,000 megawatts of electricity. Costs per kilowatt hour can spike at over 38 cents at these times. The economic impact of a power shortage is staggering, staggering, We will see the impact of higher rates when the bills are adjusted next spring. For businesses, the results are more immediate. For example, GM reported electricity costs were 93 per cent higher in July of 2005, when compared to July of 2004. During the 2003 election the Liberals promised to close all five coal-fired plants. After the election, they realized that close to one-third of our generation is from coal. It's likely that the idea of closing more coal plants is a non-starter in the immediate future. More than anything, this government needs to work with consumers, consumers, businesses, and the electricity sector to develop a real plan that is based on something more than shortterm shortterm election politics. Keep informed on new consumer consumer laws Do you need information on Ontario's new consumer laws? How do they apply when cancelling a contract, buying an appliance, making travel arrangements and dealing dealing with collection agencies? There are a number of new brochures available from the Ministry of Government Services on topics covered by IlÉlli dolighan.com the consumer legislation. These brochures are helpful companions to the new consumer consumer protection laws. They are printed in all of the languages languages most commonly spoken spoken in our province. We have many of the brochures available available at our Constituency Office. Telephone: 905-697- 1501 or 1-800-661-2433. You may also access them online at the Ministry of Government Services web site. (Formerly the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services.) The Ministry web site address is www.cbs.gov.on.ca Tax break for transit users gains momentum With Announcement from Federal Conservatives, the federal Conservatives' policy on a tax credit for those who use public transit is similar to my own private member's legislation, legislation, Bill 137. With almost unanimous support, this legislation legislation received second reading this spring. It is currently before the all-party Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. A transit incentive would reduce gridlock gridlock and improve air quality. It would also let Ontarians keep of their hard-earned more income. The policy announced last week by the federal Conservatives would institute a 16% federal tax credit for transit users. An average commuter paying $80 per month for a transit pass will see savings of $153 annually under the federal Conservatives' Conservatives' transit incentive plan. I am optimistic that, though co-operation at the federal and provincial levels, we can give commuters an even better reason reason to take the train, bus, streetcar or subway. My Bill 137 legislation will be the subject of public hearings hearings September 19, 2005, before the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. Individuals or organizations wishing to make a presentation or submit their comments are encouraged encouraged to contact John O'Toole, MPP Durham,, 75 King Street East, Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 1N4 905-697-1501, 1- 800-661-2433. I may be reached by e-mail at john otooleco@ontla.ola.org. O'TOOLE see page 4