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THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2005 SENIOR QUERIES: There were a lot of questions about pensions from Acton seniors last Thursday when Wellington-Halton Hills MP Mike Chong visited the Acton Seniors' Cen- tre for a get-to-know-you and question and answer session. -- Frances Niblock photos HELLO, SENIORS says Mike Chong. Seniors question MP Mike Chong on pensions BY FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner Money -- how much they get and how to keep it -- was on the minds of several Acton seniors during a visit by Wellington-Halton Hills Con- servative MP Mike Chong to the Acton Seniors Centre on Thursday. Chong told a small group of seniors that his "big news" was the recently announced increases to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). "By January 2007, the government will increase payments to single seniors by $36 a month, about $400 a year, and for couples, they will increase it $70 a month, which will be approximately $700-$800," Chong said. He noted the government also announced plans to expand the caregiver tax de- duction tax credit to include siblings, not just direct fam- ily members like parents or children. Asked about how Cana- dian government pensions are funded, Chong said the Old Age Security payment is funded from the. general tax base and is income-tested. He said the Canadian Pen- sion Plan system is secure and fully funded by two com- ponents, with investments in the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and in government bonds. Former Acton businessman Paul Neilson complained that the government had clawed back his Old Age Security payment because he earned too much and also taxed. any benefits he did receive. "All government income supplements are taxed," Chong said, adding that the federal and provincial govern- ments have a limited amount of money. "There isn't an unlimited honey pot, so if the govern- ment were going to lift the rules and eliminate the claw back in Old Age Security so everybody gets it, well, that money would have to come from somewhere -- higher tax- es or cuts in other programs Access your hydro account anytime An exciting new service for residential and small commercial customers of Halton Hills Hydro. lia and that would be a "zero sum gain," Chong said. Chong stressed that the Canada Pension Plan is fully funded after Acton senior Mac SprowIl told him about a truck driver he knows whose private pension was recently halved to $200 monthly. He said while public pen- sion plans are secure, there is legitimate concern over some private plans. "Working people today pay a lot more into the CPP than people two generations ago did, so if you were born in 1930 or 1940 and are retiring, you made a very good return on your investment," Chong said, adding five years ago the government significantly increased CPP premiums to afford the pay outs. The talk then switched from pensions to politics as Chong was questioned about the on-going government in- quiry into the Liberal party's sponsorship scandal. "T think that a political price should be paid for this -- you know, $100-million over four years with very little return for the money spent, or it went to line the pockets of people with very close ties to the Liberal party -- somebody needs to be hung for this," Chong said, adding he can't / Foot Specialist DEANNA WILSON 8 c,0.¢h, Thompson Wellness Centre, 15 Main Street North Acton, Ontario L7J 1V9 aly 'Lown Digest No fees waived Habitat for Humanity Halton (HFHH) must pay $18,000 in Regional develop- ment charges and user fees for the house it built in Acton on Crescent Street. Halton Council recently rejected Habitat's request for exemption from the fees and repayment of the money, based on a staff report that said there is no exemption available under the devel- opment charges or user fee bylaws, and no Regional program exists that provides grants to this type of proj- ect. In 2002, Halton Council approved $8,400 of a request- ed $14,000 from Habitat for a house it built in Burlington, and also approved a plan so Council could help groups like Habitat. That program was re- ferred back to staff in 2003 in anticipation of federal and provincial housing initia- tives and while there now is a program in place, primar- ily for rental housing but with a small homeownership component, Halton hasn't decided if it will participate because the program is being re-designed. Susan Goetz, the chair of HFHH's board of directors said once Halton develops its housing strategy, she would be back to again ask for an exemption to the develop- wait for the final report from the hearing. , Chong had contacted th Acton Seniors' Centre to ask if he could come and speak with them, as he has done with seniors in Erin and Georgetown. ment fees, water and sewer connection charges and an urban frontage fee for the nine additional houses HEHH will build in Halton by the end of 2006. "Tt's a fair whack of money and Halton can help us build affordable housing by waiv- ing these fées," Goetz said on Friday, adding non-profit groups providing housing that Halton-can't afford to, need the relief. Politician's pay The total tab for salary and benefits, conferences and seminars and "other" costs for Town politicians were $281,278 last year. The mandatory report to Council from the treasurer shows that Mayor Rick Bon- nette earned $53,162 in salary and benefits, and received $2,243 for conferences and seminars and $2,574 for "other" which includes mile- age. : Acton Councillor Jon Hurst was the top earner among councillors with a total of $24,145, which includes $22,812 in salary and ben- efits, $500 for conferences and seminars and $833 for "other." He was followed by Coun- cillor Bob Inglis ($24,054), Councillor Mike Davis ($23,516) and then Coun- cillor Clark Somerville ($23,165.) The Town. also paid a to- tal of $3,822 to the seven members of the committee of adjustment, $750 to the three members of the prop- erty standards committee and $300 to the three members of the fence viewing com- mittee. Daffodil Days on April threshold Spring is almost here and it means it is also time for the Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Sales! Look for daffodil sellers around Acton from Thursday, March 31 until Saturday April 2. Pick up a bunch for $6.00 or 2 for $10.00. Proceeds from every bunch of daffodils go to the Canadian Cancer Society research and support services for cancer pa- tients and early detection and risk reduction programs. Acton branch of the Cancer Society is also looking for interested volunteers to canvass in Acton at various loca- tions during the April door-to-door fund raising campaign. Interested? Call (519) 853-0585 to volunteer and receive a big thank you. Ai ROCKY RIDGE RANCH phone: (905) 854-2584 phone/fax: (905) 854-0964 website: www.rockyridgeranch.org ling history * Review your bil 519-853-3460 - Easy on-line registration ee sie y 9 aL Activities: MARCH 14-18 2005 + 24 hour convenience e a iIton 4 i | Is - Foot/Nail Care *Horseback Riding | 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. + Sign up today =a aang os + Sports Injuries "Learn to groom and saddle your horse : 4 S z . > 3 2 Pediatrics *Ball Hocke AGES: 9& UP In conjunction with Halton Hills Hydro's Conservation and Demand Management program. Ss y + Diabetic /Arthritic *Co-operative Games -- Ss. 40.00 For easy to follow instructions on our website: You can reach us at: Foot Conditioning ae ae eee per day 1) Just log on at www.haltonhillshydro.com oe nes = Custom Orthoties & Hot Chocolate (includes GST) 2) Select 'View Your Account Info Online'. 3) Select 'Create PIN' with your account number found on your last statement. Ph: 519-853-3701 Fax: 519-853-2621 'inquiries@haltonhillshydro.com and Footwear + Home visits Bring your own lunch (peanut free) We will provide a snack in the afternoon Please phone to register by March 9th A