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Weekend By BRAD REAUME The Champion Miltonians will be facing a big increase in proper- ty taxes at the bands of the province. Wednesday the Ontario government announced approximately $660 million in funding sbifts to municipalities. Municipal govemments will take over financing wetfare, subsidized bousi ng, ambulance services and GO Transit [rom Queen's Park Flalton taxpayers are looking ai about $40 million in increased costs, according to preliminary nurs- bers. The cacopbony of protest started immediately. Milton Mayor Gord Krantz said the announce- ment came as a surprise. "Wby sbould the 905 area (tbe suburbs) pick up Metro's costs? We've been well mun over tbe past 20 or 30 years but noan we are paying for tbeir mis- tAkes," Mr. Krantz said. "I becard (Toronto Mayor) Barbara Hall was pteased. Wby wouldn't she be'?" Among tbe most expensive changes to suburban miuncipalities is a pooling of social assistance costs witb Toronto. According to Mr. Krantz, in 1994 about 51 of every 1,000 people in Metro anere on some form of social assistance, compared witb nine of every 1,000 in Halton. Sbaring that cost makes for substantial increases to suburban property taxes but no formula for calcu- lating contribution amounts bas been released. Mr. Krantz said it could be based on population, bouse- bolds or assessment value. Ontario Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty said, 'Tbe announcements are a recipe for bigber taxes." The opposition Liberals predict a property tax increase of about five per cent across Ontario. Mr. Krantz refused to speculate on the potential increase to local property taxes. He did say the province is sbifting its costs onto the property tax base to cover tbe 30 per cent cul in "Why should the 905 area (the suburbs) '4 pick up Metro's costs? We've been ~ weIl run over the past 20 or 30 years."' BORD ERAJUI we ve already gone far enough." Mr. Krantz said it is possible that leisure services could be shut clown and facilities mothbalied to con- tain municipal costs. He added that Milton already bas far fewer employees per capita than most municipalities in provincial income taxes. Ontario. However Minister of Municipal Affairs AI Leacb 1I suggested some montbs ago tbat a 25 per cent said tbat if municipalities can find savings of tano per cent per year for tbe next tbree years tbey sbould be in a position to cut property taxes by 2000. Mr. Krantz said any savings on local costs woutd come at the expense of existing services. "Some services bave already been eut," bc said. "The feedback t'm receiving from citiiens is that property tax increase over the next two or tbree years is possible," said Mr. Krantz. 'ht still could bappen, assuming tevets of service are to be maintained." The mayor admitted tax sbifts coutd force some municipalities to merge but be added, in bis experi- ence, big govemment is atways more expensive. 75e (GST included) Classics on stage The sound of beautiful music is coming to Milton. St. Paul's United Church will hast the Feizoullaev/Starkey Duo on Monday, Aug. il at 8 p.m. They will play a diverse pro- gram including Bach and Brahms. The pair have been playing logether since 1994. Mr. Feizoullaev won f irst prize ait the 1989 Al-Soviet Piano Compelition and Mr. Starkey anas first at the 1993 Canadian Music Competition, and f irst at the 1997 HARID Aldo Parisot Cello Competition in Florida. Tickets are available only ait the door and cost $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. 327 Brenta St. S. Milton Liff 4*4 N4ew Dr. Jo-Ann McKinnon 875-1322 Miton's Independent Pharmary *10% Seniors Discount *Ali Drug Plans Accepted *Wnitten Orna Information Asailable "At Zakas We Cars About Your Heaith", 86 Main St. E. 875-2424 A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 138 No. 50 Friday August 8, 1997 20 Pages Big property tax increases to corne thanks to provincial funding shifts NTWFR E Lot us custom quote . ... . ALU OA OR W R C your weekend j lub t îiq AT wy 8843 package today! 45 Ontario St. N. "We wantyour business and we'll corne right to your front door to get it! 1gJust north of Main Street) CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS