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Page.4 — Halton Hills This. Week, 8 ge 14; 1993: . Halton Hills This Week, Web Printing. Halton Hils Thi i i ft HIS WEEK Georgetown, Ont. L7G 4B1, ploy ISHER: Ken Bellamy PUBLIS| EDITOR: Colin Gibson OFFICE MANAGER: Jean Shewell 01 CIRCULATION MANAGER: Marie Shadbolt HALTON HILLS THIS WEEK IS ENDENTLY OWNED & “* PHONE: 873-2254 FAX:873-391 Give small business a break In days of olde, when knights were not, you at least had an unwritten code when it came to street fighting. You didn’t kick the guy when he was That code of the streets seems to have gone the way of good manners. But in_a twisted bit of logic, small businesses and secondary industries in Canada — especially Ontario — could not be blamed for yearning for yester-years when at least they could expect a mini-bang for their investment bucks and the countless number of hours they toiled in the so- called free enterprise system of ‘Eh Canada.’ Similarly, they never expected to be kicked when they were down. The Canadian economy was built on resource industries. But when it became clear the particular fruits of these industries — forestry, minerals and fisheries in particular — were either suffering deple- tion or a drop in market value,-Canadian business courage — on a large scale — was notable for its absence. The Fat cats (for the most part) closed their fat wallets to Canadian concerns and instead, invested either off-shore, in Europe, South America or in Asia. Foreign interests, especially from the United States, were allowed to invest in Canada on a large scale, and this made-at-home laissez faire attitude meant that the huge companies and business con- glomerates popping up in the mid-70s through the 80s owed allegiance not to the True North Strong know a moose from a muscrat — and cared even less. All the while in the background, however, small ‘C’ capitalist entrepreneurial Canadians were work- ing their butts off in communities like Halton Hills to make their small businesses and factories success- ful and possibly make a few dollars, Of more impor- tance, though, they were providing much-needed. employment in small to medium size communities ensuring continuity in the social fabric — in other words, playing a large part in building the sense of community and local pride which, basically, is why we Homo Sapiens decided to congregate in settle- ments in the first place. These same hard-working small business people also coughed up a fair chunk of coin of the realm in taxes allowing much-needed infrastructure to be put into place which, in turn, attracted more residents. s The world-wide recession, ill thought-out eco- nomic policies, the ill-timed Free Trade Act with the United States; all caused a majority of the afore- mentioned robber barons to pack up their booty in their old kit bags and wave a deceitful fond farewell as they skittered across the border, or similarly, took to the airways. Good riddance, some of us thought! At least we still have our made in Canada small business people to carry the load until viable economic policies can be developed and the recession peaks — as it always does according to our brilliant economists. “So what happens? Just when they’re needed most, small businesses find the tap has run out at our major banks! Their lines of credit are cut! Politicians — both federal and provincial who promised help — are nowhere to be found. And in Ontario, Bobby — no Rae of sunshine here — and his confused NDP caucus, throw up even more roadblocks (employment equity legislation for a start) to a struggling but integral part of our even- tual recovering economy. As laid out by John Duncan, just to the right of this column, suggested reforms to workers compen- sation, just might sound the death knell for a number of small companies in Ontario, teetering precarious- ly on the edge of the financial grave. Colin Gibson and Free but.to.an_abseniee landlord. who.wouldn‘’t-}.. he People’s Corner WCE cost is crushing small business Editor’s note: The follow- - Ontario and they badly need be faced with a WCB rate ing letter was released to relief. They cannot afford the increase (approximate HHTW for publication. already heavily burdened _ increase of $4,000 per year). The Honorable R. Rae WCB assessment rates, and From 1990 to present, our Premier there is no question that small company has only had one business is where the recovery Claim with loss of time. This will start. of unnecessary increase will only have one conclusion Odoardo Di Santo, supports-a_~ Cut back in budgets, salaries, sensible reform will ensur universal system of coverage, Nd No increase in job plan- the growth of small busine: i. . hing. i i regardless of size or work per- The Effective Tax Rate for in Ontario. spending money for trainin and job creation; but if some thing isn’t done immediately there will not be any sma business, Your help on this critic issue to stop the WCB 199 rate decision and focus o Province of Ontario Dear Premier: I am writing this letter to express my concerns Tegard- ing comments made before the Standing Committee of Chairman, _ Mr. Government Agencies on formed. His support of the 5 Yours truly, September 13-16, 1993 by extension of entitlement to S™All business is now.56 per. Jonn Duncan, Presiden Mr. Odoardo Di Santo, cover “chronic stress” opens a cent and the UIC rate will in 2 eae ‘ + D.D H. Distributio: all probability increase by 5 another 8 per cent in 1994, Service The Government of Ontario is Georgetow Day Care Centre successful fundraiser To the Editor: Please accept this letter for publication, to thank the par- ents, staff and many local businesses for their donations towards the second annual fund-raiser for Moore Place Day Care. Chairman of the Worker’s Compensation Board. very large black hole of unre- alized costs. The WCB and As a member of the Halton governments acknowledge the Hills Chamber of Commerce, © crisis facing the financial side T feel these proposed reforms of the WCB. I believe, as do will cripple the growth of _ many others, action needs to small business in our commu- _ be taken immediately to force nity and throughout Ontario. the WCB to cut spending and Small businesses are belea- become financially responsi- guered by. the oppressive tax ble. and regulatory environment in Our company in 1994 will Shadbolt re-confirmed butions such as voluntee work and donations. We are proud to say, wit the support of this communi ty, we managed to collec $1,291.25, which makes u very happy. With the funds, we ar To the Editor: Page 16 — De-Nationalizing A . special thanks goes to _ planning to buy an industriz My peeene of the _ the debt. The public debt itself Mrs. Thelma Hearns who _ dishwasher for the day care. Ontario Libertarian Party was . has grown like a cancer in made the lovely porcelain doll that was our first prize and to local artist, Shirley Deaville who donated’a col- Thanks again, sincerely. Lucy Quaglia Administrato: confirmed at tie Ontario recent years, from $19 billion Leadership Convention held in 1973 to $34 billion in 1977 at the end of November in ps Ses billion in 1982, and Mississauga. e 1983/84 fiscal year, ect a oi a _for Judy Deamude, the "D feet this is qite“am~ Shot eat ‘$150 billion. A’ ond prize rari are accomplishment, since all of vicious cycle has been estab- y be aware, Staff and the Childrer our members can vote attending the convention, or send in‘a proxy to vote. The Libertarians are the only p: that allows all members to vote. I think one would have to admit this makes us the only truly democratic party in Canada. lished, etc,, etc. and Moore Place Day This is only one issue in this publication. Did anyone list? Certainly Liberals, PC’s and NDP clearly did not give a . Did anyone listen to ue Libertarians — obviously Moore Place Day Care is a non-profit organization and has to rely on outside contri- Common sense lauded To the Editor: Common sense prevailed! I was pleased to read in your Paper that the Halton Board of Education and the Canadian Federation of ‘eachers reached an agree- Georgetowt legislation without our chil dren missing any instruction al days. As a taxpayer and as a parent, I appreciate thei ability to compromise with. out impacting our children’s important classroom time many. I helped Hill Cox, Leader Becaee people do not want of the Libertarian Party of to listen, does this make us Can is campaign torun Wrong?.No! We know that common sense-will one day for the MP’s job in Halton: As prevail, as will'we. leader of the OLP I was inter- ested in learning. what lies the John Shadbolt, Leader:. ment on how to handle social _ Well done! Liberals, PC’s and NDP had 0 ntario Libertarian contract days. They managed Lois Fraser to tell the voters. eeton . °°? comply with Ontario’s Limehouse I was interested to see Mr. Duignan at most, if not.all, the all-candidates meetings, sup- porting Norma Peterson, his executive secretary.- Obviously he was interested in the stories put out by the Parties to get votes, as was I. The difference was that Norma Peterson is on the gov- ernment pay roll, as is Noel. It’s comforting to ow a at our MPP can spare the ti Tun around at the Federal el nina tic ion. Ido wonder how much our two NDP government people charged the poor old taxpay- ers for their services. I wonder if they refused pay and expenses for doing personal business from the Ontario government? It is lonely running for the Libertarian Party — people do not want to hear the truth, It is” much more comforting to be told fairy stories by the old line parties. They never lied to your prior to this election, so why would they lie now? In my files I have a bulletin put out by the Libertarians in 1984. I quote some of the things said in this publication. While reflecting ‘last Monday at St. George’s Anglican Church in Georgetown ae a service of Remembrance and Commitment to Change and Transformation, hosted by the Women’s Ecumenical Circle, Tara Robinson (centre) hoped her 2-year-old daughter Amber would experience a kinder gentler society in the future. Thé candle- light vigil was in honor of the 4th Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre of 14 woman at I’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal on Dec. 6, 1989. photo by Simon Wilson/HHTW.