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Children's services Family and Children's Services of Simcoe County was represented in Mountainview Mall last Friday and Saturday. A number of local service groups set up tables in the mall. Representing Family and Children's Services was branch service director Dan Downey. A child identification program through which parents could have their child's fingerprints or palm prints copied was part of the event. Insurance crisis in Ontario by Earl Rowe MPP Simcoe Centre There is a crisis in almost every area of the insurance industry and it is Ontario's small business sector that is being crushed. Drastic increases in in- surance rates and the in- dustry's sudden reluctance to take on new risks-- particularly in_ liability coverage-has lead to a dai- ly string of headlines. Increases in the cost of liability coverage have run as high as 700 percent put- ting some small companies in the dilemma of having to reduce their workforce, operate without adequate liability protection or close shop. The situation is bad in Ontario. Almost 80 percent of the small businesses polled here reported premium increases. Among 10,390 companies surveyed across Canada, seven in ten said premiums had climbed by more than MakeLa-2-Boy your ) Friend for Life » This Christmas <p, Uns Home Pithion 101 Main St., Penetanguishene 549-8912 10 percent, and a quarter had hikes of more than 50 percent. The crisis in liability in- surance became most evi- dent when large com- panies renewed policies at the end of 1985. But excess -- coverage had been increas- ingly difficult to find before this date. A survey conducted by the Canadian Organization of Small Business revealed 35 percent of its members report major restrictions on coverage and/or major cost increases in renewing liability insurance. Another 8 percent were refused coverage altogether. However, as tough as the situation may be, 94 per- cent of the Members op- posed any government ac- tion to take over the in- surance industry. The group is urging greater in- dustry self-regulation to promote improved con- sumer awareness and the Give the Original La-Z-Boy Priced From : ™ ies (Oo a=) =) =) creation of a consumer complaints ombudsman. In January, the situation was so bad that more than twenty insurance com- panies in Ontario agreed to form a voluntary associa- tion to provide small businesses and non-profit organizations with liability coverage. The association spreads the insurance risks among a large number of com- panies so that no single company has more than 5 percent of the liability in- surance for each client. However, some businesses might still not be able to get insurance, and in other cases, the premiums might be extremely high. Ontario's small business sector still looks to the Pro- Men's Clothier vincial Government, hop- ing to find a light at the end of the tunnel. But whatever' the Government decides to do, the crisis will have long- lasting repercussions. In faet, it has already chang- ed the face of the industry. Kim C. Rick Esthetician Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, Waxing, Make-up Applications and Lessons Gift Certificates available at Vincent Hair Design 549-8841 - Service - Selection - Satisfaction 46 Main St., Penetanguishene 549-3944 Player seeks ex-players Huronia Players are try- ing to reach all former members to invite them to be a part of the celebrations for the Players 25th Anniversary. There will be a backstage . performance of Nurse Jane goes to Hawaii. Cost is $5. per person and there will be food and refreshments and plenty of reminising. Invitations have been Williams, Audrey Hamilton, or Doris Henley for further information mailed to all possible. Un- fortunately, there are some people the Players have lost touch with. Anyone who was once a part of this lively group is asked to phone May A LITT" oNIGHT .MAGIG_ Needa SPECIAL DRESS for This Festive Season? Village| Leisure Wea Come in and see us at _ HIGH POINT MALL PENETANGUISHENE 549-8722 ll Sy wg | hae Wy Zz ee 4} AI Grgtaes Children's Wear Cots to Ceens Girls to Size 14 Bovs to Size 18 44 fain St. Penetanguishene 549-8998 hs Ys A