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6-Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, December 7, 1983 Entertain Guides and Green Thumbs We would be risking all we have regained. However, the burden of. restraint cannot be shouldered by public sector employees alone. Business and labour leaders too must set and make realistic wage agreements which reflect their own commitment to restraint. In the final analysis, we must' all work together to create a more secure economic environment -- one which contains inflation, inflation, ■ encourages new job creation and anchors recovery in our province. - It was a pleasure to officiate officiate at the opening of Wendy Mitchell-Gill's new shop Gifts and Gold in Oshawa. I was pleased to attend on behalf of the Premier and Hon; Susan Fish the opening of the new Oshawa Little * Theatre. Might I thank Ray McHugh, President, and all of the Board of Directors. Finally, might I say how happy happy I was to be in the Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade. The Senior Citizens of the - with their leaders held their Durham County Lodge in Orono entertained in appreciation appreciation the Orono Guides and members of the Green Thumb Club. The group of youngsters regular meeting in the new hall at the Seniors' complex and as wpll enjoyed some floor games. At the end of the program the group was entertained with the serving pf cookies and beverages by the Seniors. The presentation by the Seniors was in appreciation of the Guides and Green Thumb members cleaning up following banquets held by the Seniors. Everyone was having a great time with equal enjoyment enjoyment for all age rroups. „Sà Christmas Special ALL PERMS 0OC Including Gut >p^O-00 Two Weeks Only - Dec. 8 to 22 JUDY LAWRENCE Sam At Queen's Park Last week, my colleague, Provincial Treasurer Larry Grossman outlined details of our government's new public sector wage and price restraint program. In this column, column, I would like to explain some of the highlights, and how it will contribute to our continuing fight against inflation. inflation. It has been decided not to legislate rigid wage controls this year because in the long term, relying on government legislation is not the answer. Real restraint can only be achieved through the commitment commitment of all those involved in the bargaining process. To provide fairness and flexibility flexibility for both employers and employees in the public sec-; tor, there will be full collective collective bargainihg. In order to contain infla-' tion, the government will prpvide for average compen- satiop increases of up to 5 percent. This will be'done by placing limits on our grants and transfers, to municipalities, public agen- cies and school boards, as well as limits on the jnoney set aside for the government's own civil servants. The principle of limiting funding increases in transfers will also be applifed to the OHIP fee schedule which determines payments to physicians. The schedule of benefits was to have been increased increased by 7 percent on April 1, 1984. Instead it will be adjusted adjusted to 5 percent. It is important to point out that the 5 percent guidelines on compensation increases applies' to groups of employees, not individuals. With the return to collective collective bargaining, it will be up to the parties to decide how wages should be distributed in a settlement. In any bargaining unit some employees might receive larger percentage increases than others. The point is: the average group increase must remain at or below the accepted accepted limit. The 5 percent figure we have chosen is not tied to any current or an- ' ticipated rate of inflation. Rather, our government , believes it is a fair, reasonable and responsible amount, given current economic conditions conditions and the need for con- : tinued restraint. A key element of Ontario's inflation restraint policy over the past year has been the program for administered prices such as hunting and fishing licences, provincial park fees, driver's. licences,, and rates for independent telephone systems. We believe that last year's system of restraining those prices was very fair, and an ad- nymistered price program will be continued this year. There are a number of positive signs showing that recovery is now under way. The latest year-over-year inflation inflation rate is 5.0 percent - the lowest since 1972. Public sector sector wages in Ontario increased increased by 5.9 percent in the second second quarter of this year - down from 12.7 percent the year before. Employment has increased by 169,000 .jobs since November 1982. But as the Treasurer said, now is not . the time to back away from our restraint efforts. If rapid inflation occurs, the jobs which have been created and many more, could be lost. K e: i< DI 9841 jct: m AT PR( DG 7 h lM ( GET BACK MORE IN'84! COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL - RESIDENTIAL CLEAN JANITORIAL SERVICE On Location: Drapery Cleaning - Wall Washing Carpets Steam Cleaned - Yard Cleaning Complete Janitorial Service 45 Hobbs Drive Bowmanville, Ont. L1C3R9 623-1033 The Ontario Farm Tax Reduction Program, designed to assist owners of farm properties by rebating a portion of their property taxes, has been greatly improved for 1984. As in past years, residences, farmland and outbuildings will continue to be assessed together. But the farm tax rebate will increase from 50 to 60%. And while the gross production value for eligibility will remain at $8,000 for the majority of the province, it will be reduced to $5,000 for northern and eastern Ontario (northern Ontario is defined as that area north of.the southern boundaries of Haliburton and Muskoka. And eastern Ontario is the area east of, the western boundary of Northumberland, Victoria and Peterborough counties). To hear more about these and the manÿ additional program program improvements, contact your local Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food Office. Application forms for the 1984 Farm Tax Reduction Program will be mailed during the summer of 1984, and will be accompanied by a brochure outlining the new program in more detail. \ ' Ministry of Agriculture - / and Food . *, © Ontario •Dennis Timbrëll, Minister William Davis, Premier