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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, December 4, 2009 · 12 Letter to the editor Carpet Cleaning Specialists Since 1952 WALL TO WALL FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY AREA RUGS PERSIAN & ORIENTAL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Spot! Oakville Chamber supports HST Let me start out by saying the Oakville Chamber of Commerce is strictly non-partisan. In our role as an advocate for the business community, we must work with elected representatives of all political parties. There is a great deal of confusion around the HST. It is a complex issue and let's face it -- few, if any of us, like to pay taxes and this makes it difficult to have a rational discussion about the matter. In principle, our Chamber supports the policy of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to accept the provincial government's decision to proceed with the HST. If we have a criticism of the government, it would be over its communication and education around the HST. It has been far too little and too late. Based on the comments we are hearing from the business community and consumers, there is a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding of the HST. The HST must be viewed in the context of the overall tax reform package, which reduces corporate income taxes, eliminates capital taxes on business assets and reduces personal income tax rates. The tax reform package provides for sales tax credits aimed at lower-income Ontarians. The current PST is hidden, complex and difficult for businesses to administer. The HST will not only simplify administration for businesses, but it will also eliminate the duplication of the bureaucracy required to collect the tax, making government more efficient. To the consumer, you are already paying the PST on virtually every product and service you currently purchase, you just don't see it. The PST is hidden in the cost and passed on to you in the purchase price. In the competitive business environment we are in, the savings realized by business from the HST will undoubtedly be passed on to you as was witnessed in Quebec and Atlantic Canada where the net effect on prices was, in fact, a decrease of 0.3 per cent. If we are to continue to enjoy the outstanding quality of life we are blessed with in Ontario, we need to do everything we can to make and keep ourselves competitive. By increasing Ontario's global competitiveness, we all benefit through more investment, more jobs and higher incomes. Virtually every country in the world, except parts of Canada and the United States, has moved to a tax regime similar to the one being proposed for Ontario. Many leaders and organizations have endorsed Ontario's tax reform package. Tax reform is the right thing to do for the longterm well being of Ontario. JOHN SAWYER, PRESIDENT OAKVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Truck Mount In-Plant Service Water Damage Restoration See the transformation of what we can do in relation to others! Drop-off Discount! 25% FREE 250 ml SPOTTING BOTTLE www.onthespotcleaning.ca Bronte Revenue Minister to discuss HST at Chamber breakfast Ontario's Minister of Revenue John Wilkinson will speak about Ontario's proposed comprehensive tax package and its benefits to business at an Oakville Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The event is at Glen Abbey Golf Club at 1333 Dorval Dr. The proposed harmonized sales tax would take effect on July 1, 2010. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. followed by breakfast from 8-9:30 a.m. "We have made special arrangements to bring Minister Wilkinson to Oakville," said Chamber Chair Sonny Jelinek. Members of the public are invited to attend. Tickets cost $25 for members and $35 for non-members and are available online at www.oakvillechamber.com or by contacting Nesrene at the chamber at 905845-6613, ext. 28 or nesrene@oakvillechamber.com. 905-825-4256 1446 WALLACE RD. OAKVILLE, ON QEW W Speers Wallace allace Fill a Flex! Co Come in between Come December 4 & 23, 2008 and donate a new unwrapped toy to the CP24/CHUM Christmas Wish and you will receive a voucher for a $19.95 oil & filter change! Proud Member of the Ford Family $19.95 OAKVILLE OAK-LAND FORD LINCOLN 570 TRAFALGAR RD, OAKVILLE, ON * OIL and FILTER CHANGE! Help Support Our LOCAL FOOD BANK Drop off a non-perishable food item between December 4 - 23, 2009, and you will receive a Oil and Filter Change for $19.95 *Applies to (905) 270-8211 most cars and light trucks292-1171 (416) MISSISSAUGA SCARBOROUGH MAINTENANCE · OIL & FILTER · TIRES · BRAKES · ALIGNMENT · SUSPENSION *ADDITIONAL CHARGE MAY APPLY FOR MOTORCRAFT 5W20 AND ALL PREMIUM GRADE OILS. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARGES MAY APPLY. TAXES NOT INCLUDED. OFFER VALID AT ADVERTISING FAST LANES ONLY AND MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS. TALK TO YOUR FAST LANE MANAGER FOR MORE DETAILS. (905) 844-3990 WHITEOAK FORD LINCOLN BRING IN THIS COUPON ALONG WITH A EAST-COURT FORD LINCOLN NON PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM TO 3285 MAVIS RD, MISSISSAUGA, ON OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. RECEIVE YOUR $19.95 4700 SHEPPARD AVE E, SCARBOROUGH, ON