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Four councillors support Grit uploading platform Fogal, Lawlor and Bonnette were all at the AMO conference too and heard Hudak's comments. Backed by four members of Halton Hills "There are some areas where Hudak council, Liberal candidate Moya Johnson is in agreement (with municipalities) and warned Friday a Tim Hudak-led PC provin- provides some of the answers we want. But cial government would mean higher mu- there is a key one here on uploading that nicipal taxes. he's not on side with," said Fogal. "That's "Property taxes will definitely increase in why we're here today." the Halton Hills area under Tim Hudak and As chair of Halton Region's administraPC candidate Ted Arnott as they cut servic- tion and finance committee, Fogal said, es and download onto municipalities," said "we seen over the last few years that the Johnson. "The Hudak PCs are dangerous Region's budget has come in at zero per for those of us who pay property taxes." cent increase and that's largely because of But PC candidate Ted Arnott said in an the uploading that has been going on. Each interview that's completely year it provides us with the false. tax room to come in at zero. "The Liberal candidate But as soon as that uploadis attempting to distract ing stops, our budget is govoters from the Liberal ing to be impacted. Either record on taxes, and her we would have to cut serpress release contains vices or we would have to statements which are inhave an increase." accurate and misleadBonnette pointed out ing," said Arnott. when the PC-led provinCouncillors, from left, Jane In a press conference Fogal, Jon Hurst, Mayor Rick cial government forced the Friday morning, Johnson Bonnette and Ann Lawlor sup- 905 municipalities to pay said PC Leader Hudak at port Liberal candidate Moya the City of Toronto's social the recent Association Johnson's (centre) position on services costs, also known of Ontario Municipali- provincial uploading. as "pooling", Halton Hills ties (AMO) conference Photo by Cynthia Gamble taxpayers' share was $4.1 stated he would review million each year. an uploading agreement currently between "I'm here as a very concerned person to municipalities and the Liberal government. ensure the uploading continues. Because That 2008 agreement, committed the Prov- downloading is the most secretive tax there ince to upload social assistance benefits is," Bonnette said. and court security costs from municipal "Halton Hills is counting on the continproperty taxes back to Provincial financial ued uploads and support that was agreed control. It was drafted after the former PC- to with the Liberal provincial government led government downloaded $3 billion of and Ontario municipalities," said Bonnette, provincial social and court programs to adding he would like to see a similar communicipal taxpayers, said Johnson. mitment from the other parties. While the Liberals, NDP and Green Party Arnott said, "I would hope that the upleaders reaffirmed their commitment to the loading of social services costs can conremaining years of the deal, the PC leader tinue in the coming years. Notwithstanddid not. On the AMO website, Hudak would ing Liberal election promises, it is also true also not give assurances that he would not that whoever forms the next government download costs or add new ones to munici- will have its options limited by the reality palities' property tax base. of the massive provincial deficit, which is "The translation of that is that uploading at least $16 billion." will stop and the downloading will start," NDP candidate Dale Hamilton said the said Johnson. NDP will work with the municipal leadArnott called that twisting the truth. ers on a positive plan to make life afford"Tim Hudak has articulated no down- able and to make the municipalities work loading scheme which will drive up your including continuing with the upload of property taxes," he said. "He essentially costs for social assistance and court secusaid he would maintain the uploading of rity. Hamilton said, as a former municipal costs which has taken place to date, but councillor for the Township of Eramosa, he couldn't guarantee the policy of gradu- she understands the impact provincial deally uploading more costs could be carried cisions can have on municipalities. forward in the coming years, until we learn Green Party candidate Raymond Dartthe true financial picture of the Province af- sch said, "The last time Tim Hudak and his ter the election." party were in power, Ontario's municipaliBacking Johnson on this issue were four ties took a brutal fiscal clobbering. Ontario members of Halton Hills council-- Mayor voters who pay property taxes, or who pay Rick Bonnette and Councillors Jane Fogal, rent to an owner who pays property taxes, Jon Hurst and Ann Lawlor. should be cautious." The three councillors have all endorsed For more information visit the AMO Johnson's candidacy-- Fogal even nomi- website: www.amo.on.ca nated Johnson. Bonnette said, while he is For more election coverage visit www. not endorsing any candidate or party, he is theifp.ca and see provelection2011 unfirmly on side on the uploading issue. der the Hot Topics bar. By CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer 3 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, September 20, 2011 HEAR WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING... ABOUT YOU! "I told her, `I like Violet's hair.' Not violet hair!" Hearing instrument technology has dramatically improved over the last 3 years. If you have difficulty hearing, we know you are looking for a solution that is discreet, lightweight and easy to use. Oticon Agil has the sound clarity you'll love right away. Research studies have shown that Agil clients give a first time user satisfaction rating of 8.6 out of 10. The highest ever! And 89% of new users wear the aids comfortably for extended periods of time. Available in 8 colours ­ but not violet. -- FREE -- HEARING TESTS (Age 55+) No medical referral required. 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