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Page THE HERALD Wednesday January 1U Slowdown is predictable ranked us with Japan as one of the Industrial worlds most vibrant By VIC PARSONS Thomson Newt Service Year after year of healthy economic growth ia something that all Canadians could easily get used to And no one wants to be a spoilsport but the reality is the current growth cycle is slowing down Last year was the sixth in a str ing of boom years that brought the country out of the gloomy reces sion of the yearly 1980s In terms of superlatives the current expan sion is the secondlongest period of growth since the Second World War recall the recession was the worst since the Great Depression of the 90b During the last six years Canadas economy grew a remarkably healthy annual average of four per cent That Investment soared imemploy fell inflation was fairly flat interest rates declined confident consumers spent and manufactur boomed True parts of the country lagged behind but overall the picture was one of growth The slowdown expected this year and next is a predictable one that has little to do with free trade Economists consulting the crystal ball charts of the stars and other mystic paraphernalia foresaw a downturn no matter what voters decided last Nov 21 In fact its still too early to say with precision what impact the deal is going to have in the short term in spite of the mini occurring as businesses adjust to the new realities of free trade with the US EXPERTS SURPRISED The economy is surprising ex with its resiliency in recent months Indeed forecasts of growth in have been revised upward Many pundits suggest that in stead of a into recession often defined as two or more con secutive quarters of declining pro duction Canada will go through a period of slower but still positive growth before emerging refreshed and to go again What are some of the factors in volved Consumer spending which ac counts for more than half of economic growth is expected to have and downs this year On the plus side bigger tax refunds arising from last summers tax reform changes will put more money in consumer pockets in the first half of 1989 That probably means a surge in consumer spending in the first half of the year although the highest in terest rates in three years will like ly discourage costly purchases bought on time In the second six months economists dont count on consumers to provide much lm petus for growth Government spending Is ex pected to be restrained Huge deficits and high interest rates will dampen the enthusiasm of clans The federal government for instance will want to do all ft can to reduce its annual shortfall bet ween revenue and spending of close to billion INFLATION DAMPENED Moreover the Bank of Canada will continue its policy of holding down inflation through high in terest rates The cost of living is expected to rise both this year and in 1990 by levels approaching five per cent This is far below inflation levels of the 1970s and early 80s but John Crow the central banks governor is taking no chances Throughout last year business investment was a healthy compo nent of economic growth It will continue to play a major role this year Many companies are getting themselves in shape for the in creased competition free trade will bnng Others have been reacting to healthy consumer demand Manufacturers have been engag ed in a keepfit program in recent years and Laurent Thibault presi dent of the Canadian Association says they are well positioned to cope with a slowdown Carmakers who have had six good years say they expect 1989 to be a neutral year and not one of decline It wont be a disaster says economist Gilles of the Conference Board A strong car industry of course is good news for steel rubber and plastics industries In other sectors the recent firm ing of oil prices albeit at relative ly low levels is a good sign for energy investment And in the agricultural sector theres hope the severe drought of last year wont be repeated ROYAL CITY REALTY ALTON LIMITED 8532074 MAHVYN MORGAN Res 873 2862 EDUCATION IN 1860 The Village of Acton was included In School Section 1 under teacher Adams in Scholars In this section of which were on the roll attended the frame building which had served as the school house since 1848 Plans were afoot however to build a new one Luckily for Mr Adams there was a little chance that all the scholars would show up on the same day School Section 8 Dublin was just south of Acton Teacher Robert Coates Instructed his classes in a school house dating from 1 854 He had 1 1 4 pupils on the roll To the east of Acton 4th Line and Hwy was S S 13 Bannockburn Alex Cam pbell with 100 scholars on the roll had the newest facility erected in 1 A- Many thanks to Mark Rowe President of Esquesmg Historical Society who wrote this article 389900 BRAMPTON COUNTRY ACRE raiaad bungalow with In thai to badroom n- Bulla RacraaUon room oak bar A lo Call Morgan Sato Rap al OPEN HOUSE Saturday Sunday ANN STREET GEORGETOWN 269900 No to Ontario to Ann SttML Watch for tha or call Marvyn Morgan Salaa Rap at or NEW ROCK WOOD WITH INLAW SUITE 229000 Buy you a noma on a M lot with barn Lhw with your Inlaw or aaally to a family noma Call Morgan Salaa Rap at SOLD HENRY STREET GEORGETOWN MARKET EVALUATIONS GIVEN WITHOUT COST OR OBLIGATION MEMBER BOTH BRAMPTON AND OAKVILLE BOARDS CALL MORGAN FOR YOUR MOVE THIS YEAR DILIGENT SERVICE AND COMPREHENSIVE MARKET PLAN 450 9344 853 I I I I I We work together for you Halton Hills Milton Areas BARBARA GLENN Milton 8761156 Res 1519 ALEX GLENN Georgetown Res 519 131000 STARTER OR RETIREMENT fiwnaca air nasi mw windows walkout to paUMMWMdfw and lot Call noar and ask lor or your Rockwood 3 189000 Main Street location GEORGETOWN START 1989 RIGHT la a good way do that and thl bungalow you mora with tha Inlahad inlaw aulta prof at anally Chaek It out today Aaktng Call Alex or Barbara alarm 877 5290 or SI NEWLY UP6RA0ED ACTON AREA town with a touch of country as a trough backyard For Mo cH or Barbara Qlam 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