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10 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, July 21, 2010 O'TOOLE Continued from page 2 price of 58.8 cents/kWh. This reduced price threatens the viability of many business plans as well as jobs and opportunities in the green energy sector. The Ontario Power Authority has announced a 30-day consultation period on this proposed new price category for solar power. In addition, two webbased information sessions have been held. I would encourage Ontario residents and solar power stakeholders to have their say on the latest provincial government mixed message on green energy. You can comment by sending an e-mail to microFIT@powerauthority.on.ca. Comments can also be mailed to the Ontario Power Authority, with postmarks no later than August 3, 2010. I would ask you to provide me with a copy of your comments. Hidden Eco-Fee Hits All Consumers Whether you call it a fee, a tax or a premium, the McGuinty government's eco tax is more money coming out of consumers' pockets. Along with the controversial HST that became law July 1, the provincial government quietly introduced "eco-fees" covering thousands of products ranging from hairspray to fire extinguishers. A few examples of products subject to the eco-tax also include: pharmaceuticals, camping fuel, fluorescent bulbs, drain cleaners and detergents and fire extinguishers. Opposition Critic for the Environment, Toby Barrett, revealed earlier this month that, under the eco-fee, a 60pound bag of cement which retails at $3.99 will be subject to an eco tax of $3.90, In other words, the eco fee for this product is almost 100 per cent the cost of the product itself. In the case of fire extinguishers, the eco fees vary from $2.22 to $6.66 depending on the weight of the unit. This extra fee for fire extinguishers is a threat to public safety as well as a cash grab. You'd think government would want to encourage rather than penalize those who buy fire safety equipment. What angers citizens the most is the fact that ecofees were introduced without warning and with no explanation. After seven years of hikes on consumer taxes, income taxes, vehicle taxes, land taxes, and even tire and plastic bag taxes, the family budget of most Ontarians has been stretched to the limit. This government simply has a tax and spending problem when you consider the various licence, tax and fee increases it has introduced, in addition to HST. Private Member's Bills in the Ontario Legislature You don't have to be a cabinet minister with a battalion of advisors to introduce a Bill in the Ontario Legislature. Members of Provincial Parliament often introduce independent legislation through Private Members Bills. All it takes is a pencil and paper (Or, more likely, a computer and printer) plus a good idea, and support from other Ontario MPPs. Bills introduced by an individual MPP don't have the same weight as legislation backed by the entire government. But, in one sense, these bills can't lose. If the bill is instantly recognizable as the right legislation, then the MPP has done his or her job on behalf of citizens. In fact, Ontarians might get necessary legislation passed a little faster than if it went the route of government-sponsored bills. With support from all three parties, a Bill declaring April 9 of each year as Vimy Ridge Day received first, second and third reading in a single day last spring. When a Private Member's Bill doesn't pass, it can still raise awareness and spark public discussion. As was the case with my own legislation on cell phones and driving, the ideas in private member's bills sometimes take on a second life when they are introduced by the government. Private member's legislation on which I am currently working includes: a tax credit for those who use public transit; protection of vulnerable people against the improper use of a power of attorney; the declaration of the first Friday in September as Physical Fitness Day in Ontario and the regulation of sewage sludge applied on agricultural land as a soil conditioner. Some of my past private member's Bills have covered Year of Manufacture Licence plates for historic vehicles and the declaration of Irish Heritage Day. Here's a brief sample of some other private members legislation currently before the House: A requirement that landlords disclose to renters whether or not bedbugs have been reported in their apartments; Measures establishing the rights of citizens to access the shorelines of the Great Lakes and; An initiative to provide Ontario's Ombudsman with a 10-year term. Another private member's bill would establish the rights of students to respond to diabetic conditions through injections, emergency sugar consumption etc. Yet another Bill calls for a climate change report card. Bill 47 calls for the third week of April to become Victims of Crime Awareness Week. Bill 7 requires citizens be notified when personal credit information held by banks and other agencies is lost or stolen. The Ontario Legislature web site, www.ontla.on.ca, has a complete list of all legislation currently being considered. It has an archive of legislation from past parliaments that goes back about 15 years. If you have an idea for a Private Member's bill on a topic of interest to you, your organization or community, I'd be happy to hear from you. Please contact my Constituency Office at 905697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433. I may be reached by e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org Church Directory Reverend Ceri Rees 111 Church St. N. 905-485-5502 orono.uc@rogers.com Orono United Church Newcastle United Church 84 Mill St. S., 905-987-4515 newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca Nursery Care Provided Wheelchair Accessible Sunday, July 25 Service at 10:00 a.m. (Summer Hours) Everyone Welcome! Wheelchair Accessible Nursery Room Available Worship in Orono for the month of July Rev. Canon David R. Saunders, CD Anglican Churches St. Saviour's - Orono 27 Mill Street · 905-987-2019 9:30 a.m. - Worship, Sunday School Youth Group · Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer - 2nd & 4th Sunday · Coffee and Fellowship to follow New Website: www.stsavioursorono.ca St. George's Newcastle 250 Mill St. S. · 905-987-2019 8 a.m. - Commumion 11:15 a.m. - Worship , Sunday School Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday · Morning Prayer 2nd & 4th Sunday Coffee and Fellowship to follow LOCAL FARM FRESH PRODUCE EGGS 4240 Conc.#4, Orono, 905-786-EGGS MEAT 3383 Taunton Rd., Orono, 905-983-5787. Beef, Chicken, Seasonal Produce. Egg-Shack Berrybank Farms 4561 Conc. 6, Kendal, 905-983-6107. Lamb, Wool, Wool Blankets. Kendal Vale 3937 Conc. 8, Orono, 905-983-5370. Organic Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey, Pigs. Lee Farms FRUITS & VEGETABLES 4303 Hwy #115, Orono, 905-983-5628. Fred's Fruit Market Hwy. 2, 5 km East of Newcastle, 905-786-2153. Strawberries & Apples in season. Sikma Orchards 3990 Bragg Rd., Orono, Regional Rd. 42, Orono, 905-983-9003 905-983-6105. Hydroponic Tomatoes,Cucumbers, Locally grown potatoes, sweet corn Sweet Corn. & canteloupe in season. Tax Farm Link Greenhouses 5467 Middle Rd. Bowmanville. Potatoes, Tomatoes, Carrots, Peas & Beans, Garlic, Swiss Chard, Pears & Perennials. 4825 Regional Road 9 East, Kendal. Fruit Trees, Strawberry plants, asparagus. Strickland Perennial Farm Orono, 905-983-5442 All natural grain-fed beef. Sikmadale Farm H. Richardson Farms Ltd 85 Lovekin Rd., Newcastle 905-987-7239 Organically Fed Poultry. Capons, Roasting Chickens & Turkeys. LOCAL FARMERS Agriculture's Bounty is a weekly feature. Reserve your space now! Call: 905-983-5301 or oronotimes@rogers.com Clement Poultry