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Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, November 22, 2000 J 1 \ in Touch by John O'Toole, MPP Thank you for the more than 100 calls to my constituency constituency office over the past two weeks'. Over the last few days in particular, we've been hearing about the new assessment assessment notices that property owners are receiving. I would like to address some of your concerns - beginning with the proposed MPP salary increase. This has been an issue since prior to 1994. In the 1995 provincial election, we promised to eliminate the MPP "gold plated" plated" pensions as well as promising promising to do away with the tax- free portion of our pay. In 1996, all parties voted in unanimous support of Bill 42 The MPP Pension and Compensation Reform Act, delivering on both promises. At that time, we also refused to accept the social contract's upward adjustment. Today, our annual base pay is $78,007, which is 10.5 percent percent lower than what MPPs earned in 1993. In addition, there are no "gold plated" pensions, tax-free portions or other "hidden perks", it's important to remember that in 1996, the PC's, Liberals and NDP each agreed that the Speaker of the Legislature would engage a commission to examine future MPP compensation. compensation. The primary, consideration consideration in determining any increase was that the provincial provincial budget must be balanced, and this was accomplished in" 1999. In May 2000, the Speaker's commission responded with the Brown Report to the legislature, makiftg the following comparisons: comparisons: - $145,000 Federal MP compensation compensation ■ $125,000 + Directors of Boards of Education * , ■ $97,800 staff lawyers • $95,300 professional engineers engineers ■ $88,700 secondary school •principal * MASSAGE THERAPY Charlene Lewis, r.m.t. Registered Massage Therapist Orono Medical Centre 30 Cobbledick Street Box 430, Orono LOB 1M0 (905) 983-5951 • (905) 261-7026 Fax (905) 983-5951 $82,303 Toronto City Councillors • $81,907 Ontario MPP (*) these amounts do NOT include pension entitlements, while the balance include pension or RRSP entitlements Recently, the press reported reported that the province was considering considering a 42 percent pay increase. I have never seen a report with this figure mentioned, mentioned, except perhaps in the Toronto media. It appears that the three party leaders failed to reach, a consensus on this " important issue. Ill my View, the press has somehow sensationalized sensationalized what should have been a modest pay change. Elected officials have serious job appraisals via elections every four to five years or, in some cases, every three years. I strongly believe that the electorate should question the accessibility and accountability accountability of their elected representatives. representatives. If you want more information information on this or would like a copy of the Brown Report; please contact" my office. Your opinion is important, please call (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433. Another matter of interest has been the recent property tax assessment notice that you will have received. It's reported reported that current value assess ment has gone up in many areas of Ontario. This is true since the real estate market is up and demand for housing is very high, especially in Durham. The media has left the impression that if your assessment goes up, then your taxes will follow. When you think about this, it makes no sense because if the assessment assessment goes down, does this mean your taxes will go down? Does a municipality spend more just because we have a strong economy and Spend less in a weak economy? economy? Actually, the elected municipal council determines their budgets and then calculates calculates their tax rates (or mill rates) over their assessment base. So a higher assessment does not automatically mean higher taxes. You should demand that your municipal council explain why they need to increase your taxes. If you have any questions, please call me or you can call the Ontario Property Assessment Corporation at 1- 800-268-2224. * JUST MOVED! * NEW BABY *BRIDE Call Sharia today! 983-8230 Welcome Wagon Since 1930 The Christian Heritage Party of Canada Doesn't this make sense...? Canada's infrastructure--our roads, bridges, ports, water and waste treatment systems--needs renewal, but we can't afford it... because those in power abuse their power by spending taxpayers' money to stay in power. Common-sense planning and budgeting could provide: • A health-care system that meets all our needs. • Clean drinking water for every community. • Adequate equipment for our armed forces. • A new, safer Trans-Canada. Highway. See how biblical principles, on which Canada was established, produce sound ideas" that have been proven to work? The CHR is the only federal party that endorses the "supremacy of God" clause in the Constitution. *' ' * ' * ' - . Now that makes sense! ELECT Durk Bruinsma local (905) 429-8292 Durham Call toll-free I -888-VOTE CHP or visit our web site at www.chp.ca