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Page 12 The Ciaringion/Courtice Independent, Bowmanvillc, Saturday, May 9, 1998 We're Taxed Too When the economy is performing performing well it's amazing how politicians of all stripes lake credit for it. So it seems with the Ontario economy. Suddenly the Premier likens the province's economic success to his policy of tax cuts. Nothing could be more ludicrous. ludicrous. ; I'm the first to say Canadians arc taxed too heavily heavily and we have to find ways of reducing personal income taxes. After all, we arc one of the most heavily taxed countries countries in the industrialized world. The government I represent represent recognizes this. In the last budget we took almost 400,000 people off the tax rolls by raising the amount of income that can be earned before they pay tax. That amount was $500 for low- income singles and $1,000 for families. ! The economy is doing well due to low interest rates and a low Canadian dollar vis-a-vis ils U.S. counterpart. Ih Durham this couldn't be more obvious as GM continues continues mammoth exports to the U.S. ■ Indeed, in spite of Mr.Harris' tax cuts, any significant significant change in real disposable disposable income has come from lower interest rates. ; The fact that mortgage renewals have reduced your tfionthly mortgage payment is far more significant than a few dollars in your pay cheque. ; Of course, Mr. Harris will announce his continued policy policy of tax reduction while at the same time continuing to rim annual deficits. ! This means the province will have to borrow money in capital markets in order to make the tax reductions. To me this flics in the face of even vour basic Economics 101. In fact, this all impacts interest rate policy since investors add up all provincial provincial debt as well as the federal federal government's when looking looking at credit worthiness. While the federal government government retires debt, the Province of Ontario continues to expand theirs. But the failure failure to deal with debt - our fundamental economic problem problem - in good times is somewhat somewhat ominous. 1 know Mr. Harris promises promises balanced books by 2000 but many pundits arc predicting predicting a slowdown in the economy economy by that time. Indeed, some Year 2000 watchers are even predicting a recession. This year Canada will enjoy one of the fastest-growing fastest-growing economies of any industrialized industrialized nation. It's possible that growth could rcjtch four per cent. Newfoundland will lead the way with oil production production when Hybcrnia comes on stream off the province's coast. The federal government government is a direct partner in this. That growth, as it trickles down, will help all provinces. How will Mr. Harris take the credit for that? So is the federal government government guilty of overstating its case for not providing a tax break? Well, the answer is yes. The federal government recognizes the struggle with deficits and debt have been borne by the people of Canada. It also recognizes that a big part of getting the books balanced has been the unprecedented increase in government revenues. I say unprecedented because even the federal government has some difficulty explaining Reader Replies to MP's Column on Hepatitis C An Open iMtcr to Alex Shepherd 1 would like to reply to your article in "Parliamentary Report" titled "Tough Decisions on Hepatitis C" printed in the Clarington/Courticc Independent on May 2. You start out in the article, appearing to be a compassionate individual with a genuine concern for all people who, through no fault of their own, have contracted a disease such as Hepatitis C. Then you start talking like a politician, trying to justify a controversial decision by your government not to compensate victims prior to 1986. You first mention "the government can't let the availability of funds influence their every decision." For many years, politicians have voted on wage and pension increases for themselves, themselves, without any concern for the availability of funds. If there is a time that availability of funds should not be a concern, concern, that time should be now for the people infected with this life-threatening disease that was administered by a government-regulated government-regulated agency. Yes, it is tme that the effects of Hepatitis C arc random and can affect some more than others. And yes some will live long lives without serious effects from the disease. But it is also true that neither you, nor I, or anyone else for that matter can predict predict who will get sick, when they will get sick and to what degree. We also do not have to agonize with the reality that some day this fatal liver disease could take over our body. The fact that there was no known testing (in Canada) prior to 1986 should be irrelevant. The government knew in 1986 how to check blood for Hepatitis C, but still chose to ignore it until 1990. This alone would lead me to believe that, even if the ■ government knew there was an available test prior to 1986, they probably would have chosen then not to implement it. (Possibly due to availability of funds). You asked the question. Should government compensate people with flesh-eating disease, cancer and heart disease? To the best of my knowledge, there is no government regulated agency administering these diseases, so this comparison should have no bearing on a decision to compensate tainted blood victims victims who, through no fault of their own, have contracted Hepatitis C. In closing, you talked about not having to prove to anyone that you can't think for yourself in Ottawa. It was very obvious that your government made it pretty clear on which way the vote was to go. Regardless of whether you voted on your own, or you were persuaded to vote the party line, your government has done these victims a grave injustice. An injustice I am sure will not be forgotten by them, their families and their friends when it is their turn to vote. Paul Jackman Bowmanvillc Heavily by MR Alex Shepherd why revenues arc so high. One reason has been the rise in the stock market and people paying huge amounts in capital gains taxes. The reality is that the bubble bubble is likely to burst and the time that happens may be just around the corner. When things start slowing down, as they arc bound to do, I wonder how many politicians are going to stand up and take credit for that? Solemn Pledge Members of the 5th Lighthouse Pathfinders who "renewed" their citizenship at a ceremony ceremony in Bowmanvillc last week arc pictured above, along with Citizenship Officer Solange Fournier and Leaders Brenda Peltier and Charlynnc Tilicock. Front left are: Brenda Peltier, Unit Guider; Jade Key, Kandicc Peltier, Solange Fournier, Amber Key, Brandy Cook and Charlynnc Tilicock. AN OPEN INVITATION TO RESIDENTS OF CLARINGTON. As Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of Ontario Hydro, I would like to invite Clarington residents to join Darlington Site Vice President, Bob Strickert and me at a public meeting on May 13, 7-9 PM at Bowmanvillc High School. The meeting is one of the ways in which Ontario Hydro is focusing on our goal of being more open, accountable and responsive to neighbours' concerns. A key recommendation of the Independent Integrated Performance Assessment released last August was to set specific goals for the nuclear recovery program and to monitor progress on a continuing basis. We are committed to ensuring this takes place. One of the purposes of the May 13 meeting is to report on our progress to date, specifically in the areas of public safety, environmental performance, employee safety and production performance. The staff of the Darlington Nuclear Station are highly skilled professionals dedicated to improving the performance of the station on every measurement. This includes a commitment to building a strong and sustaining relationship with the local community. Staff members will be at the meeting to answer questions and listen to your concerns. We look forward to seeing you on May 13, sharing our progress with you and hearing your views on how we can do better. Bob Strickert Site Vice President, Darlington Nuclear Generating Station ,G. Carl Andognini Executive Vice President, and Chief Nuclear Officer Ontario Hydro > LZ / Z / X s 1 1 y y. xV i/ avings .7 V . \x r tK' vo A What a deal! foil'll be on cloud nine with these additional savings on % ALL I off FRAGRANCES Large selection of Chocolates and Candies from • Laura Secord • Russell Stover * Nestle » Ganong Gift Sets and Bath Sets • Coly • Houbigant • Celebrate • White Shoulders • Longing • Ambush • Vanilla Musk • Chantilly • ici OUT already Cover Girl Makeup - Sally Hansen Nail Products low prices. FREE GIFT WRAP ON ALL MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS Wide Range of Greeting Cards from Carlton He sure and check mil our new line of candles 5XV-, McGregor Drugs 5 King St. W. 623-5792 Bowmanvillc