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10 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, November 24, 2010 Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole Fiscal Report Shows Desperation at Queen's Park Premier McGuinty's government tried to turn its Fall Economic Statement into a combination of a mini-budget, election kick-off and an early visit from Santa Claus. However, most Ontarians won't be fooled. They know the actions of this government represent a desperate move that delivers too little too late. Ontarians know the McGuinty Government spends $2.1 million more every hour than it collects in revenue. Ontario has the highest HST, electricity rates, tuition fees and auto insurance premiums in the country. At the same time, Ontario's real per-capita GDP has declined by 8% since 2000. Ontario's projected deficit amounts to $1,500 per person, while the provincial net debt has increased to $20,000 per person. Opposition Leader Tim Hudak reminded Ontarians in the Legislature last week that, since the HST was introduced July 1, Ontario lost 41,000 private sector jobs. Ontario families know they're paying the price for Dalton McGuinty's job-killing tax hikes, costly energy experiments, waste, fiscal mismanagement and scandals. By its own admission, the McGuinty government agreed that consumers are facing a 46 per cent increase in electricity rates over the next five years. Last week's promised 10 per cent reduction in electricity bills starting January 1st doesn't even begin to make up for hydro rates that have risen 75% under the watch of Premier McGuinty. Last year alone, the increase on hydro bills has been about 20%. Essentially, the McGuinty government is taking the HST collected on electricity and is using it to temporarily reduce electricity rates. I support anything that gives needed relief to Ontario families, especially seniors. In fact, the announcement on lower electricity rates is a small victory for Ontarians who were worried that they wouldn't have enough money to keep the lights on this winter. I appreciate the fact that so many Durham Riding residents have taken the time to write me on this priority, and I have forwarded these concerns to the McGuinty government. Your advocacy has helped to turn the tide. There is still much more to be done. Ontario is heading in the wrong direction. Small efforts to undo the damage this government has inflicted are better than nothing at all. Unfortunately, this cannot take the place of a well thought-out plan based on a solid plan and economic principles. It's clear that policies that haven't worked in the past won't help Ontario in the year ahead. I am suspicious and worried when I see everincreasing spending policies when hard-working families are struggling. Province Rejects Clarington Employment Lands In a decision released late last month, the Province of Ontario rejected a proposed Courtice employment area that was supported by the Durham Region Official Plan, the Municipality of Clarington and our local business community. I am disappointed that the Province has essentially overruled local elected representatives who are trying to bring more jobs and investments to the community by designating more lands for commercial ventures. What's even worse than the highhanded decision imposed by Queen's Park is the fact that it comes at a time when there is little opportunity for the Municipality of Clarington to appeal. That's because the current Municipal Council is in the final days of its term and the new Council won't take office until early December. The appeal period is only 20 days, which means the newly-elected council will not meet until the deadlines have passed. At the very least, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing should allow more time for the municipality to assess the provincial decision and to allow the new Council to consider an appeal. I have written the Minister on this, and am waiting for action. Residual Hydro Debt Just Won't Go Away Since 2002, Ontario electricity consumers have been paying a "debt retirement charge" to eliminate an estimated $7.8 billion in residual stranded debt left over from the former Ontario Hydro. You will see this on your electricity bill. This shared debt works out to between $5.60 and $7 (Plus HST) per household hydro bill every month. Once the $7.8 billion was paid off, the debt retirement charge was set to expire. The date when the stranded debt was to be paid in full was estimated at 2012. The recently-released 2010 Annual Report from the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation (OEFC) shows that the McGuinty government has collected $7.8 billion from Ontario hydro bills. However, with no explanation, the debt repayment date was extended again ­ this time until 2015. It's time for Premier McGuinty to come clean and tell us how much of the $7.8 billion residual stranded debt has been paid. In the Legislature last week, the Official Opposition filed a motion that would require the McGuinty Government to declare the balance remaining on the $7.8 billion debt in annual reports of the OEFC. The motion also asks that the current balance to be displayed on your hydro bills. Province Investing $15 Million in Brain Institute The province is providing $15 million in start-up funding over the next three years for a new Ontario Brain Institute. The Institute will encourage innovations and help to improve the quality of life for Ontarians. It is also intended to help Ontario companies achieve global marketing for life science products that support patients with brain diseases and disorders. The Ontario Brain Institute has been described as a way to bring the province's top brain researchers together with people who know how to commercialize good ideas. This partnership will turn lab discoveries into products and services to help people who are affected by brain diseases and disorders. ENBRIDGE POLICY ON UNPAID BILLS Enbridge Gas Distribution advises that, to encourage payment and reduce the number of disconnections, it provides notices of arrears to customers on their bills. If customers are at risk of having service disconnected, notices are mailed and the customer is asked to contact the company to make arrangement for payments within the next 48 hours. A live telephone call to the customer is also attempted two days before the actual disconnection is scheduled. Enbridge Customer Service can be reached online at www.enbridge.com Church Directory Reverend Ceri Rees 111 Church St. N. 905-485-5502 orono.uc@rogers.com Orono United Church Rev. James Feairs, Minister Newcastle United Church 84 Mill St. S., 905-987-4515 newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca Nursery Care Provided Wheelchair Accessible Sunday, Nov 28 Service begins at 11:00 a.m. First Sunday in Advent Sunday school & Nursery Room Provided. Everyone Welcome! Wheelchair Accessible Sunday, November 28 10:30 am Worship, Advent I, Faith in Motion Workshop Rotation (5-teen), Coffee Plus, Collect for Clarington East Food Bank Welcome New Friends! Anglican Churches Rev. Canon David R. Saunders, CD St. Saviour's - Orono 27 Mill Street · 905-987-2019 9:30 a.m. - Worship, Sunday School Y outh 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 Are you in an abusive relationship? Call Bethesda House 905-623-6050 or 1-800-338-3397