The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com |OAKVILLE BEAVER |Thursday, January 26, 2017 | 2 8 Health by Marta Marychuk Oakville Beaver S taff "Connected to your Community " Cham ber seeks local MPs support on health tax issue In a letter addressed to local MPs (Members of Parliament) last week, Oakville' s Chamber of Commerce is asking for the politicians' support maintaining the tax-free status on employer-provided health care benefits. "Taxing health care benefits w ould cost employees hundreds or thousands of dollars each year, and result in fewer employers willing to offer these benefits," charges the letter. The correspondence was signed by John Sawyer and Caroline Hughes, the Oakville Chamber' s president and board chair, respectively "This decision would mean many lowerincome and middle-class Canadians not being able to afford access to necessary and preventative care such as vision care, prescription drug, mental health services, dental care, occupational therapy and musculoskeletal care (physiotherapy, chiropractors and massage therapy)," the John Sawyer, Oakville Chamber president Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff Caroline Hughes, Oakville Chamber board chair letter continues. Finance Canada estimates that exempting employer-provided health benefits results in $2.9 billion in foregone tax revenue. Get Perfect Eyelashes & Eyebrows This decision would mean many lower-income and middle-class Canadians not being able to afford access to necessary and preventative care, such as vision care, prescription drug, mental health services, dental care, occupational therapy and musculoskeletal care (physiotherapy, chiropractors, and massage therapy). Letter from Oakville Chamber of Commerce to Oakville MPs 289-837-1212 wvw.secretfaces.com 2417 MARINE D R IV E JA K V IL L E , L6L1C6 Secret 7aces However, that generates $32.2 billion in additional health care benefits for Canadians. The Chamber sent its letter to Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff and Oakville MP John Oliver, Oakville MP "I am in favour of maintaining the taxfree status on employer-provided health care benefits and will continue to raise the issue in Ottawa on behalf of my constituents," stated Damoff in a response letter. "I am concerned about the potential removal of the employer-sponsored healthcare tax exemption and the effect it might have on benefit coverage to em ployees." Damoff said she has heard from constituents in her riding, w ho support her view that employers should not be taxed on the benefit plans they offer their employees. The MP said she has also heard from members of the mental health community w ho have expressed concerns about the negative impact of these changes for citizens. Damoff said she w ould continue to advocate for this issue and raise it with the Minister of Finance and the new Parliamentary Secretary w hen that position is appointed. · Come and get your flu shot today Voted Oakville's Favourite P harm acist & P harm acy gm in to ffiu rm fic e l custom-made orthotics foot/ankle injuries diabetic care ingrown nails/warts orthopedic footwear 627 Lyons Lane, Suite 205 Fabio De Rango Pharmacist/Owner · · · · · P atient Counselling Com plete D iabetic Care Hom e Visits · Consultations Free RX D elivery Free Nutrition Counselling · · · · · DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 2501 Third Line 1905-465-3000 Open 24 hours 17 Days a Week DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 478 Dundas Street West 1905-257-9737 Canada Post S ilv ia A ra u jo B.Sc(Hons), D.Ch - Now offering SIGVARIS cc ipression stockings (covered by most extended h e a l" plan, ask for details) 905 844-0680 www.shoppersdrugmart.ca oakvilleclinic@bellnet.ca www.oakvillefootclinic.com Oakville Foot Clinic | & Orlholic Centre