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Staying in Touch John O'Toole Early years funding for rural families Farm and rural families in northern Durham Region will be assisted by $30,800 from the Government of Ontario's Early Years Challenge Fund. The funds for Durham Farm and Rural Family Resources include $15,225 for 2002-03. The balance will be provided in the following fiscal year. The agency sought binding for the addition of another day of programming in each of its current locations and for programming programming during the summer. A family literacy program, parenting workshop, and outreach outreach programs are also planned. Founded in 1988, Durham Farm and Rural Family Resources offers on-farm childcare, a childcare registry, and Family Resource Centres in Uxbridge, Cannington, and in partnership with other organizations in Port Perry. The Early Years plan builds on existing partnerships and programs to ensure children get the best possible start in life, and reach their full potential. Electricity update I would like to thank those who attended our electricity forums in Port Perry, Newcastle and Bowmanville over the last month. This was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the opening of Ontario's electricity markets to competition. competition. Judging from some of the questions at the forums, it seems to me that there is an ongoing need for information about rebates, the signing of contracts, and the consumer's rights in the new marketplace. Please contact my Constituency Office at 1-800- 661-2433/ 697-1501 for more information. Privatization of Hydro One held up As you know, an Ontario court ruled Friday that the provincial government cannot go ahead with the privatization privatization of Hydro One. The sale of Hydro One is unrelated to the opening of the electricity market. Perhaps we need to separate these two decisions. We must ensure each of us understands the changes and how they alfcct each of us. The Premier has asked the Attorney General to review the decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and provide the Cabinet with options. Premier announces agriculture agriculture round-table Ontario Premier Ernie Eves and Helen Johns, Minister of Agriculture and Food, have announced the Premier's Roundtable on Agriculture to address the key issues facing Ontario farmers. In making the announcement, announcement, the Premier pointed out that the agri-food industry is the second largest sector of Ontario's economy, employing employing about 640,000 people. "We want to ensure that the family farm keeps its rightful place as the lynchpin of rural Ontario. To do that, we need to work closely with farmers to find solutions that keep agriculture as the backbone of this province," Premier Eves said. The agriculture roundtable with farm organizations and farmers will be held June 6. The goals will be to identify the key issues facing farmers and find solutions to the concerns concerns raised by farmers and the rural and agricultural community as quickly as possible. possible. I am confident this process will support family farms, creating more jobs in agriculture, protecting the environment and ensure the needs of rural Ontario are met. Oak Ridges Moraine conservation plan unveiled on Earth Day On Monday, April 22, Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Hon. Chris Hodgson, announced the final details of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. It will protect important water resources and significant natural natural features on the Moraine for generations to come. Our conservation plan will continue to steer new development development away from over 90 per cent of the Moraine. And, even in the settlement areas, significant natural features and water resources will be protected in future by strict controls. The plan is a followup followup to the draft introduced on November 1st of last year. Our Constituency Office would be pleased to provide additional information at 1- 800-661-2433/ 697-1501. ^ Qrono Weekly limes. Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 9 Letter (continued from page 2) last days, I cannot help but think about how he was one of the many, who were involved in World War 2. Those men brought us freedom freedom while risking their own lives and many of them dying for our freedom. But we do not have the Freedom they fought for. Rather sad, isn't it? Yes, we need politicians to run our country. It is just very sad that they choose to make cut's in the most devastating places. And yes, when they pass on, there will be a big ongoing memorial for them, yet for those who fought for OUR VERY FREEDOM, will pass, with the love of their family and friends, but they go unrecognized for the sacrifice sacrifice they made for us. Isn't it amazing, that those politicians involved in these cutbacks can even look at themselves in the mirror when they get up in the morning. My regards to the nurses who do all the work, and do it so well, and to the patients who are suffering and not knowing their destiny. ÀM I PROUD TO BE A CANADIAN, I AM NOT SURE. Bonnie S. Lane J Bowmanville RECYCLE Earth. KEEP IT CLEAN! our living room. PITCH-IN CANADA WEEK, April 22-28 ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WORK? JOIN THE JOB FINDING CLUB Offered by META Vocational Services Inc. AT NO COST TO YOU! > Having problems obtaining employment? > Frustrated with the interview process? > Resume and letter writing becoming a war zone? If so, have you considered the Job Finding Club? We have Certified Job Club Counsellors to assist in the skills needed to effectively job search. > Identify your strengths > Learn how to market yourself to employers > Develop a network Human Resources Development Canada in co-operation with Meta Vocational Services Inc. invites you to call anytime anytime for information. 1*1 (905)697-8887 Human Resources Développement des Development Canada ressources humaines Canada (advertisement) Accounting Corner Q I have not filed my 1999 income tax return yet. When I penciled it in, I owe a significant significant sum. What's the interest interest and penalty exposure? Interest: about 9% annually from April 30, 2000 to now. Penalty: None if you do it right. Let's say 1 have an Uzi submachine submachine gun in my basement. Never mind where it came from, I don't want it. But the thing is illegal. The smartest thing 1 can do is wait for a gun amnesty day, walk into the police office and hand it over. They won't give it back, but the amnesty means they can't charge me for illegal possession possession either. Canada Customs and Revenue Revenue Agency (CCRA) has something very much the same. If you have a misrepresentation misrepresentation on your lax return, intentional or accidental, or you have never filed a return for a certain year, you may elect under the voluntary disclosure disclosure rules to have Revenue Canada waive all penalties. The rules and procedures arc simple: ( 1 ) You must not have bèen contacted by CCRA concerning concerning the information. The election election is not allowed if they found it by themselves. (2) You or your representative representative must contact CCRA and claim the voluntary disclosure election. Written form is best to avoid future problems. (3) A government representative representative will return yolir contact and set up a date for the receipt of the information or return. Note this means you don't actually have to have the tax return done when you first make the election. On receipt of the information information or return, CCRA will assess the information with interest. All penalties for late filing are waived. One word of caution, how ever. We have seen some instances where individuals have contacted CCRA regarding regarding this election or to gather information regarding the missing year and give sufficient sufficient information to identify the taxpayer. An overzealous CCRA person, realizing the missing year, immediately issues a "demand to file" on the missing tax return. At this stage, it is very difficult to get CCRA to honour the voluntary voluntary disclosure request. You should file the election first to prevent this problem. The above article is for general purpose information only. Before acting on this, or any other information, readers should seek competent professional advice. ram CA Mark L. Hendrikx Chartered Accountant • ( 'ertijied Financial Planner • Accounting and Auditing • ( 'oin/mtcr ( 'onsulling • Planning <V Taxation Services lor liiisinesses. Individuals, ( 'orporations. listâtes and Farms • lUisiness Start-ups • f ree Initial ( 'onsultation 37 King St. West, Newcastle, Ontario LIB 1112 Fax: (905) 987-9809 • Phone: (905) 987-0570