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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 29, 2006 - 5 Turner is tops Outspoken Halton politician Garth Turner has been named the top performing MP by the Ottawa-based organization Politics Watch. Of the 308 politicians in the House of Commons, Turner was cited as the top performer in a year-end review that also picked Finance Minister Jim Flaherty as the best performer in the Stephen Harper cabinet. Of Turner, Politics Watch said, "Love him or hate him, Garth Turner has made his mark in Ottawa this year. In addition to getting booted out of the Tory caucus, Turner has been a leading advocate of democratic reform and income-splitting." Turner spearheaded the movement in the House of Commons to have the tax rules changed so two million retired Canadian couples could split pension income between them, reducing income taxes. The government agreed to do that on October 31, and the change takes effect next week. Currently Turner is leading parliamentarians in a drive to extend income-splitting to all Canadian families -- something that would allow spouses to share income for tax purposes, ending what he said is an unfair tax disparity between Halton MP Garth Turner single-income and dualincome families. He's hosting a national conference on income-splitting January 30 on Parliament Hill. Politics Watch went on to praise Turner for his communications, saying his online blog at www.garth.ca has become a must-read for press gallery reporters. "It certainly is gratifying being singled out like this, since the main themes I promised voters in the last election were middle class tax breaks and an MP they could count on to listen, respond and always be in touch," said Turner. "Canadians are very tired of electing people who seem to disappear, so I hope in a small way I can set a new standard for MPs who are always available and accessible." Levee at Town Hall Mayor Rob Burton and Town of Oakville councillors will open the doors of Town Hall for a New Year's Levee on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007 from 2-4 p.m. in celebration of Oakville's 150th anniversary. "A New Year's Levee is a wonderful way for us to spend time with our constituents and friends outside of the Council chambers," said Burton. "It will be an afternoon the whole family can enjoy; we look forward to meeting everyone and officially launching the Town's 150th anniversary celebrations," said Burton. Free entertainment will feature the Oakville Children's Choir, the Graytones, a Carousel of Nations performance, refreshments and face painting.