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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 7, 20 17 | 14 Medical Clinic: 905•877•2220 • Pharmacy: 905•702•1500 308 Guelph St. Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Hours of Operation : M-F 9:00am - 7:00pm SAT 10:00am - 2:00pm SUN 9:00am - 12:00pm www.alphacarepharmacy.ca Caring, Compassion, Reliable & Honest *Accepting New Patients* Medical Center & Pharmacy Our Services: • Family Practice • Male & Female Doctors • Walk-in Clinic - All Day • Specialty Compounding Pharmacy • SENIOR DISCOUNT- Everyday • Free Medication Review • All Drug Plans Accepted • Free Delivery • Bioped Orthotics • New Physiotherapy & Massage services Book Your Flu Shot Today!! How can I minimize the amount of tax to be paid on my death? 104 - 83 Mill St., Georgetown 905.877.0121 ESTATES & TRUSTSlegal matters M. Jasmine Sweatman B.A., J.D., LL.M., TEP., C.S., EPC, CPCA Certified Specialist in Estates & Trusts Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Estate Litigation and Administration, Corporate, Real Estate Q: A : A Will allows you to plan your estate by choice instead of default. An estate planning lawyer develops an understanding of your needs and particular circumstances and then puts together a plan that meets those needs and wants. The legal fees involved to prepare a Will which ensures you receive the appropriate advice needed and reflects your wishes are modest relative to the importance of leaving your affairs in good order including the avoidance of litigation after your death. Stationary or internet forms and Will kits are not recommended. Effective estate planning can reduce the size of your probatable estate to reduce this tax and ensure you maximize the legacy left to your beneficiaries. Although people seek to minimize taxes, it is important to consider all aspects of your estate plan and not let tax considerations exclusively dominate your plan. Your plan should always meet your current objectives but have some flexibility for changes in the event you are not able to update your plan and will. Thinking of implementing an estate plan….call us to discuss! * www.sweatmanlaw.com *Sweatman Law Professional Corporation Enriching the lives of Children Since 1985. www.georgetowndaycare.ca LOCATIONS 479 Guelph St., Norval 905-877-4376 • 483 Guelph St., Norval 905-877-4375 Ages 2-5 yrs. Call for space. Nursery School Program Transportation To/From Local Schools A loving and calm environment for newborns to 18 months. Infant Care • Beautiful parkland setting at the Lucy Maud Montgomery Park • Nutritious Lunches & Snacks made on site Full time Daycare With budget-related topics heading to region committees this week, many items are seeing in- creases and decreases in 2018. The 2018 budget is ex- pected to rise by 1.9 per cent and a $4.8 million in- crease in the levy. On Dec. 5, commission- er of healthy environ- ments and communicable disease Matt Ruf shed some light to the health and social services com- mittee on funding for the health department, and shared with council the department will reach a shortfall of $10.2 million in 2018. According to Ruf, the department has been try- ing to address the funding pressures coming from the subsidies in the Minis- try of Health. Ruf said in 2017, public health received a zero per cent funding increase for its mandatory programs set by the province. For 2018, the region has been notified it will again re- ceive no increases. The anticipated short- fall for public health has totalled more than $8.1 million. The North Halton Men- tal Health clinic will re- ceive no increase in fund- ing, therefore a $833,000 shortfall is expected in 2018. In total, health depart- ment programs have seen a significant increase in the shortfall of funding, at $10.2 million. Commissioner of fi- nance and regional trea- surer Mark Scinocca also presented to committee. He touched on some of the same topics he discussed during the council infor- mation session on Nov. 15, but dived a little further into what some of the numbers mean. According to Scinocca, provincial subsidies are increasing by 9.8 per cent, or $15.6 million. "We've had some signif- NEWS Halton Region health department shortfall reaches $10.2M l See PUBLIC, page 15 KATHRYN BOYLE kboyle@theifp.ca