PAGE 10,WEDNESDAYNOVEMBER 20, Speaking to You By SCOTT FENNELL, MP (PC-Ontario) It is encouraging to see that the Canadian economy is continuing to show growing signs of strength. A review of the record shows that the Canadian economy did exceptionally well in the second quar- ter of 1985. GNP was up 4.1 percent in real terms at annual rates and the increase included gains in con- sumer spending and business investment. Preliminary data indicate that this strength has continued into the third quarter. Since the election, 304.000 jobs have been created. 1985.WHITBY FREE PRESS The unemployment rate has fallen from 11.6 per- cent in September 1984, to 10.1 percent in September 1985, and the youth unemployment rate has fallen from 18.3 percent to 16.1 percent. The Bank of Canada Rate is now below 9 percent, the lowest it has been in nearly ten years. Also, sin- ce the election the chartered bank prime lending rate has fallen from 13 percent to 10 percent, the lowest level in seven years, and the rate on five year mortgages is at the lowest level it has been in six years. The inflation rate has been in the 4 percent range for over a year, the most stable price en- vironment since 1971. Business confidence has risen significantly since the election. In May, a Conference Board survey of senior corporate executives found that 53 percent planned to increase capital spending in the coming months, while only 8 percent expected to cut expen- ditures. A recent Statistics Canada survey found that business investment intentions for 1985 are up 12 percent over last year's level. New capital spen- ding will help to modernize Canadian industry, in- crease our international competitiveness, and create jobs. Consumer spending is rising and that is good news for retailers, small businesses, manufacturers and the unemployed. Retail sales in August were up 13 percent compared to a year ago and new motor vehicle sales are up 23 percent. New orders in The incomparable inserts The Firepliite Plus' 900 BURNS ST. AT HOPKINS WHITBY 668-31.92 manufacturing have risen by 14 percent sinée Sep- tember 1984. For those of you who are interested in a more detailed progress report, please contact my con- stituency office at: 52 Church St. in Pickering, 686- 0432, and ask for a copy òf "Securing Economic Renewal - A Progress Report," a report issued by the Minister of Finance, the Honorable Michael Wilson, and dated November 1985. There is good news for those of you who have been faithfully using the VIA Toronto-Havelock train. First, as of Nov. 18, the speed of the train will be increased to 50 miles per hour over most of the track and this will shorten the schedule by approximately 45 minutes. Under the new schedule, the train will leave Havelock at 5:50 rather than 5:05 and arrival time in Toronto will remain unchanged at 8:30. For passengers riding the train out of Myrtle, Dagmar, Claremont and Locust Hill, the week-day schedule will be as follows: MORNING: leaving Myrtle - 7:33 a.m., leaving Dagmar - 7:39 a.m., leaving Claremont - 7:49 a.m., leaving Locust Hill - 7:57 a.m., arriving Toronto 8:30 a.m. EVENING: leaving Toronto - 5:30 p.m., arriving Locust Hill - 6:00 p.m., arriving Claremont - 6:10 p.m., arriving Dagmar - 6:17 p.m., arriving Myrtle - 6:24 p.m. In addition to the better schedule, a weekly pass will be instituted for passengers, allowing for a reduction from present ticket prices. The weekly pass will cost train users the equivalent of five days at the special week-day return fare which currently extends from Monday to Thursday only. The pass will also be available as of Dec. 2. Please note that a person wishing to travel on Friday but not having a weekly pass would remain ineligible for the special return fare. I am delighted that VIA has seen fit to implenment these positive changes and I sincerely hope that these steps will lead to increased ridership on the Havelock-Toronto train. As I have said more than once before, we really have to use it or else we will lose it. DIABETES Wednesday, Nov. 27. MEET Speaker will be Dr. Michael Albisser. Time The Insulin Dosage is 7:30 for the general Computer and Artificial public, 6:30 for youth. Intelligence will be the Tbere'll be refresbmen- topics of a Canadian ts, a bake table and Diabetes Association, elections will be held for Durham regional bran- the 1986 executive and ch, discussion at Holy committees. Volunteeis Family Parish Hall on are needed. More in- Manning and Rib- formation available at blesdale in Whitby on 728-3825. Owasco In order to serve the Durham Region better. Owasco Volkswagen is doubling the size of its service departrnent, body shop, part depar- tment and sales force. To celebrate the expan- sion, the Dundas St. E. car dealership is hosting a contest. Customers who can guess the total square footage of the new ad- dition to Owasco's building are eligible to win one of two vacation Expands packages. First prize is a one week-trip south of the border for two. Second prize is a weekend getaway in a Volkswagen Deluxe Vanagon camper plus $50 spending money. Winners will be an- nouned on the day of the dealerships official new opening. In the event of a tie there will be a draw for first prize. Mayor Bob Attersley will be presenting the prizes. More events eve(} EUCHRE Whitby Orange Lodge is holding euchre on Dec. 2 at the Orange Temple, il Bruce St. in Oshawa. $1.50 per per- son. Prizes and lunch. ST. ANDREW'S DANCE The Canadian Scottish Club of Whitby will hold their St. Andrew's Day dance on Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. in the Masonic Temply, Cochrane St. A cold buffet will be served atilp.m. Tickets are $8 per person for non- members and are available by calling 728- 3012. SNOWFLAKE BAZAAR St. John's Anglican Whitby annual snowflake bazaar will be held Sat., Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be baked goods, crafts and a white elephant table. In St. John's Church basement at the corner of Brock and Victoria Sts., Whitby. NATURALISTS MEETING Durham Region Field Naturalists will meet Monday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. in the auditorium of McLaughlin Library, 65 Bagot St., Oshawa. The speaker for the evening will be Bruno Kern who will present a slide-talk about his nature photography. SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR "Everything you ever wanted to know about business and estate planning but were afraid to ask" is the theme of a Whitby Chamber of Commerce seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the town council cham- bers at 575 Rossland Rd. E. The seminar is geared for the owners of small, family-run businesses and closely held corporations. The three panelists will in- clude a lawyer, a char- tered accountant and an insurance consultant and will discuss such questions as how to pass a business on in the family, tax problems in partnerships and how to draw up wills and par- tnership agreements. There will be a question period after the panel discussion. FASHIONABLE BENEFIT Calypso Fashion and Swim Wear presents "You Look Mar- vellous," a benefit fashion show with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society, on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Lviv Hall, on Jackson St. in Oshawa. Doors open at 8 p.m. and wine and cheese will be served. Tickets can be pur- chased at 67 King St. E. in Oshawa. For more in- 'or mation call 571-3329.