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10 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole Ontario Budget Day is March 25 Ontarians will find out what's in Ontario's provincial budget on Thursday, March 25. Because the government's budget year begins each April, this will be the final, full-year budget before Ontarians go to the polls for a provincial election in October of 2011. With Ontario experiencing a shortfall of $24.7 billion in last year's expenditures, a deficit in the year ahead is a foregone conclusion. The question is: How will Ontario fight the deficit? Will there be spending restraints? Will there be new measures to stimulate the economy? Will there be new sources of revenue through fees and taxes? We do know there will be a new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on July 1, 2010. Will there be a full or partial sale of provincial assets such as the LCBO in order to tackle the deficit? In my view, the key is accountability for all government spending. This will ensure Ontario gets the maximum benefit form scarce provincial dollars. The eHealth scandal has shown that there was a lack of accountability in the past. We must ensure accountability problems don't continue. The Ontario budget needs to focus on restoring a sustainable economy. This means spending every taxpayer dollar wisely and with full accountability. In addition, measures such as red tape reduction will help business and encourage investment. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) estimates the cost to businesses in Ontario as a result of red tape is $11 billion annually. The key to halting the deficit is a policy of spending every dollar wisely. At the same time, Ontario must avoid the pitfalls of trying to spend its way out of the deficit or holding a fire-sale of public assets that will leave the province poorer in the long-run. This is the first real challenge of the McGuinty government. They are facing declining revenue, while at the same time there are increased demands for healthcare, education, the environment and the economy. Let's see how they respond. Post-Budget Forums in Bowmanville and Port Perry I am pleased to host two local forums highlighting information about the Ontario budget on Friday, March 26. There will be a forum in Bowmanville at Zante Restaurant (36 King St. E.) commencing at 8 a.m. Accountants from Hobb & Company will lead in a presentation and discussion of the budget and what it means to Ontario taxpayers. In Port Perry, the forum is at Francesco's Ristorante, (151 Queen St.), commencing at 10:30 a.m. Leading the presentation will be Brian Callery, CFP,CLU,CH.F.C of The Callery Group and Randy Keller, CA, of Van Camp and Keller. Everyone is welcome to attend. To RSVP or receive more information, please contact my Constituency Office at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800661-2433. My e-mail address is: john.otooleco@pc.ola.org. Everyone is welcome. More Federal-Provincial Infrastructure Funding Last week, the governments of Canada and Ontario announced new stimulus funding that will support 60 projects. These projects will result in improvements to cultural attractions, provincial parks, and trails, as well as GO Transit infrastructure across the province. The governments of Canada and Ontario are each contributing nearly $31.4 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to support this round of new initiatives. Among the 60 projects is a joint federal/provincial investment of $4.2 million to upgrade renovate the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg, renowned for its collection of Canadian paintings. To date, the governments of Canada and Ontario have announced over $11 billion in joint funding for more than 2,600 infrastructure projects across the province to stimulate the economy and create jobs. More information on infrastructure programs is available online at www.ontario.ca/infrastructure and www.buildingcanada-chantierscana- da.gc.ca Food Freedom Day was February 12 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reports that it takes the average family just 43 days from January 1st of this year to acquire the income needed to cover annual food expenses. This means Food Freedom Day 2010 fell on February 12. The date is unchanged from 2009. In connection with Food Freedom Day 2010, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has reviewed food prices over the past 30 years at both the farm gate and at retail levels. The statistics continue to show the increasing gap between retail prices and what the farmer is paid for his or her food. The Farmers' Share, a recent study commissioned by prairie members of the CFA, showed that, on average, only 27 per cent of the cost of an entire week's worth of groceries for a family of four goes back to the farms where the food is produced. "While prices Ontarians pay for food has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years, the farmers' share is relatively small," said Bette Jean Crews, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Ontario must ensure farmers receive a fair share of food dollars. Update on Hwy. 401 Service Centres The first of seven service centres on Highway 401 are scheduled to re-open with washrooms, parking and a convenience store in July 2010. They will become fully operational in September 2010. The new centres will offer quick service dining, coffee, convenience retail, enhanced truck facilities, tourism information, and washrooms that are fully accessible to families and disabled individuals. The new centres will be constructed to the silver certification standards under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.) There are a total of 23 Service Centres along Highway 401 from Windsor to the Quebec border, and along a portion of Highway 400 north of Toronto. Over the next three years, 20 of Ontario's Highway Service Centres will be modernized. Three sites, including the service centre near Newcastle, were rebuilt in the late 1990s and are not being updated at this time. Church Directory Newcastle United Church Nursery Care Provided Wheelchair Accessible Rev. James Feairs, B.A., M.Div., Minister newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca 84 Mill St. S., 905-987-4515 Orono United Church Rev. Timothy Dayfoot 111 Church St. N. 905-485-5502 orono.uc@rogers.com Sunday, March 28 10:30 a.m. Worship Sunday, March 28 Palm Sunday We celebrate the Sacrament of Communion Service starts - 11:00 a.m. Wheelchair Accessible Sunday School & Nursery Room Available Palm Sunday Rev. Canon David R. Saunders, CD Anglican Churches St. Saviour's - Orono 27 Mill Street · 905-987-2019 9:30 a.m. - Worship, Sunday School Youth Group · Holy Communion - 1st & 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer - 2nd & 4th Sunday · Coffee and Fellowship to follow New Website: www.stsavioursorono.ca St. George's - Newcastle 250 Mill St. S. · 905-987-2019 8 a.m. - Commumion 11:15 a.m. - Worship , Sunday School Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday · Morning Prayer 2nd & 4th Sunday Coffee and Fellowship to follow Wed. March 24 - Compline - 6:15 pm - St. George's Sun March 28 - Palm Sunday Thur April 1 - Maundy Thursday Rites - 6:30 pm - St. George's Fri April 2 - Good Friday - 9:30 - St. Saviour's Fri April 2 - Good Friday - 11:15 - St. George's Sat April 3 - Easter Even 7:00 pm - The Easter Vigil - St. George's Sun April 4 - Easter Day 7:00 am - Son Rise Service - Bond Head Beach 8:00 am - Easter Communion - St. George's 9:30 am - Easter Communion - St. Saviour's 11:15 am - Easter Communion - St. George's ORONO WEEKLY TIMES 905-983-5301 · oronotimes@rogers.com