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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1982, PAGE 5 Budget will give n eeded hmt of optimism:o Asheý QUEEN'S PARK - The budget hànded down by Ontario Treasurer Frank Miller two weeks ago will give the economy a show of much-needed optimism according to Durham West MPP 'George Ashe. Ashe, who also serves as Ontario Minister of Revenue, said in an in- terview fromn his'office here last week that the budget will be a big help to a goodlly number of people including small businessmen and first- time buyers. "Vihat the economy needs is a hint of opti- mnism and to get things going," he said. The Ontario Renter Buy Program and the abolition of the provin- cial corporation income tax for two years will help to do just that, he said. Under the renter-buy program, first-time home purchasers are eligible for interest free boans of up to $5,000 providing that they sign a deal for their home before October 31 and meet the usual eligi- biity requirements for mortgages including the usual down payment. Although 1$5,000 doesn't sound like much, Ashe says it's "4worth a lot of money", when it is compounded over the 12½-year pay- back period.. The main thrust of this program, the minis- ter continued, is to free up valued rentaI ac- Councl Column commodation and to "help stimulate a little more construction."1 "It's to push people out of rental housing," Ashe said. It is înteresting to note that people living in Ajax and Pickering (the western portion Of Ashe's riding) can borrow the $5,000 for homes costing, up to $115,000. However, those in Whitby (the eastern edge of the rid- ing) are only eligible if they purchase houses costing less than,$90,000. Ashe also said that the governniont has no in- tention of remnoving rent controls at.this time. "It is clear that as long as Bill Davis is pre- mier rent control is to stay," he said adding, "Ithat doesn't mean there won't be* an up- ward movement on that six per cent figure. " The minister also de- fended the govern- ment's decision to broaden the provincial sales tax and to increase Ontario Health Insur- ance, Plan (OHIP) pro- miums. >Roforring to a. seven per- cent sales 'tax im- position on the -purchase of pots, Ashe said, "How many'people buy pets aIl the timo? " Ho also maintained that things such as toilet articles should have been subject to the p.s.t. previously and there is no rationale to excludo them. "They should have been included, tbey weren't, and now they arç," Ashe said. Ho-wever, he did maintain qwite strongly that "the actual real impact on the average familyis small. " "The only alternative was to increase the pro- vincial sales tax," he added. He also defended the O.H.I.P.' premium hike and pointed out that 70 per cent of. the plan's subscribers don't pay for it anyway. Most either have it paid *wholly by their employ- er as a benefit or re- ceive premium assist- ance. Ashe said that of the $22.77 billion that the government will spend, 51.7 per cent of it will go towards health, educa- tion and college and uni- versity costs. Programs provided by the Ministry of Community and Social Services will take another 8.8 per cent of the province's money pie. "That's over 60 per cent in health, education and community. and social services," he said. One of the provincial government's main fiscal problems was the feder al government's decision to reduce trans- fer payments by $30 million. "Vie alI have ample evidence what a noga- tive document the feder- il budget was," Ashe said. "We don't have the same fiscal room they do."i But, all-in-all, he be- lieves that this is a good,, solid,, "reasonable and responsible" budget. EDITOR'S NOTE: This Interview wlth the minister was supposed' to have run ln last week's édition of the Whitby Free Press. However, because of his busy schedule the Inter-, view was not conducted' until after we went to* press. Because of eur editor- lai n l aet week'e edi- tien, we declded to present Mr. Aehe'e viewe ln an effort te maintan a degree of falrness. Submitted by members of WHITBY TOWN COUNCIL By REGIONAL COUNCILLOR GERRY EMM Deputy Mayor Chairman, Regional Works Committee The Town of Whitby wants to expand its tax base and we are looking to clean, light industry to help accomplish it. Whitby is already known as "the most pro- gressive community in Ontario"'ýand with over 400 acres of prime industrial serviced land we are tailored for just that typeof industry. It was not always that way, back in the early 1970's we as a council purchased two farms and Camp X south of Highway 401 to build a major tax asset. A private company, J.D.S. Investments, and others joined with the town to provide services to the area. What we had then was a unique concept, and promises to become a classie textbook lesson in productive cooperation. Between the efforts of the government (town, region and province), the taxpayer and outside in- dustry, almost overnight we are in a position of being able to respond positiyely to inquiries fromf Ontario and out-of-province businesses. Companies such as high technology organizations are the companies of the future and we in Whitby are trying to provide a pl1easant place in which to work. A complete master-planned business com- munity which will have not only quality housing development but recreation facilities which em- ployers can look to a higher rate of productivity. One person who helped create Whitby's industrial lands was former mayor Des Newman, who recen- tly opened a new division of his company, Cametoid Liniited, in Whitby. We welcome your company to Whitby, Des. Tomorrow, mayor Bob Attersley and council along with senior staff will present Whitby "The Progressive Town" to the top industrial realtors in North America to show what we are doing to make Whitby a place they can seli. What we are trying to do along with the Chamber «f:Commerce, Durham Region and Province of On- tario is to provide flot just a broader tax base but a place for our young people to find employment. See you at the Brooklin Spring Fair! *THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OFWH ITBY '~ OTICE A Special Evening In honour'ofý Forbes "Doc" McEwen, Director ot Special Pro- Jects for the Town of Whitby,- is being held on Tuesday, June 29th, 1982 at the Whltby Munlcljal Building, 575 Rossland Rd. E., Whltby - Cost $15.00 per person. Anyone interested In attending please contact Mrs. Verna Roberts at 668-5803 before June l8th, 1982. fi DON" PYQ.UR Wl GO Propane is a wonder- for yconetage IN SM forlyctanveniet ue campers and backyard barbequers. It's cean, quick and efficient for cooking, refrigeration and lightin& But, like A flammable materials, propane must be used with care. Did yau know, for instance, that: " Propane barbecues should neyer be used in an enclosed area. " Propane cylinders must be stored outdaars and checked for safety every 10 years. " A propane cylinder should always be moved or stared in an upright position. " Propane cylinders must be Iocated-outside recreational vehicles or in a campartment that is gas-tight ta th e vehicle interior and ventilated directly to the outdoors. " It is strongly recommended that propane- E.4 JEKNDS UP MrÀpqè6 mu rw ma LE I>1Q91 fuelled refrigerators be cleaned and adjusted every year. You'll find these safety facts and more in aur free bookiet. Mail the coupon today and get your Cao y. Its a great reference gude, and it wil ensure thýat propane is always a helpmýate rather than a hazard ta you and your family. The Ontario Govemmuent-Working to Help People. 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