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Vol 32 No. 54 A Metroland Community Newspaper Photographer Ted Eastman gets a close focus on one of the many brilliant red tulips blooming at George‘s Square. Yes, spring has indeed arrived, with warmer temperatnm on the way == honest' By HOWARD MOZEL Oakville Beaver Staff While there‘s nothing dramatic to be said about Thursday‘s provinâ€" cial budget, the chairman of Halton‘s Restraint Measures Impact Committee still managed to equate â€" it to a Trojan Horse. um urel "It‘s a gift hiding a $12 billion deficit," said Joyce Savoline. The Burlington councillor made her comment Friday following a twoâ€"hour meeting of the Committee to discuss Finance Minister Floyd Laughren‘s NDP budget. While the region â€" which has â€" complied with constraints imposed by all levels of government â€" is off the hook this year, Savoline said outstanding debts loom in the (Photo by Peter McCusker) Reaction to Ontario‘s new budget Concern over ‘true size‘ of deficit future. After all, as Laughren outâ€" lined, the Social Contract and Expenditure Control Plan simply won‘t evaporate in 1996. Said Regional Treasurer Joe about the true size of the deficit because of some ‘off budget‘ finanâ€" cial transactions which could put it over $10 billion. The government‘s actual borâ€" $12 billion. This may put pressure on Ontario‘s credit rating which in turn could raise interest rates and municipal borrowing costs." While Regional CEO John Rinaldo: "There are some concerns By DIANE HART _ Special to the Beaver Pink Floyd has had his day. That‘s the prediction from a local economist about Ontario Finance Minister Floyd Laughren following the tabling of his fourth provincial budget Thursday. ‘"‘Unlike the U.K.‘s Pink Floyd, who has been perâ€" forming for 25 years in front of sellâ€"out crowds, rowing requirements will be almost ‘Not one of the most stimulating budgets‘ Burke said the real cost of borrowâ€" Ontario‘s Pink Floyd has performed his last set in his gig," commented Tom McCormack, of the Oakvilleâ€" based Strategic Projections Inc. He congratulated the 40 or so people who attended the Oakville Chamber of Commerce Friday breakfast seminar on the budget, saying he was surprised by the crowd "given that this is not one of the most stimulatâ€" ing budgets" tabled by a government. (See ‘Taxpayers hammered . . . ‘page 3) Moonrays® Torchlights. 4 lights with buibs and ) programmable electronic ED PUNKRIS Sais Repreema ON SERVIC E SUNDAY, MAY 8, 1994 28 Pages. 75 Cents (GST included) Paper ocm Special Fnends . SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS Food City, Canadian Tire, AP, Kmart, Biway, The Bay, Hedonics, Aikenheads, Vidal Sassoon (shampoo sample) Government Guarantead Strip Coupons Maturing in 2004 (416) 359%3 *Rates subject to change Canadian Publications Mail Product Agreement #435â€"201 ing is the "dark side of the budget," he was guardedly optimistic about Ontario‘s economic recovery. "We‘re on the right side of the upward curve," he said. The Restraint Measures Impact Committee was formed to monitor ~the impact on local property taxpayâ€" ers of decisions made by senior levâ€" els of government. > For Committee member and Oakville councillor Kevin Flynn, Laughren‘s "nonâ€"event" took some wind out of the Committee‘s sails. "It‘s almost a shame it wasn‘t a worse budget," joked Flynn, who explained that this latest document does not reveal the damage done by previous budgets. "Over the years they‘ve had a (See ‘Taxpayers . ..‘ page 4) OAKTOWN SHOPPIN PLAZA Open Sunday 10 a.m.â€"5 p m 844â€"5732 ) . UPPER OAKVILLE SHOPPING CENTRE Hojes Open Sunday 11 a.m.â€"9 849â€" TIRE e arl