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"A Family Tradition for 125 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 3, 1992 - 5 Mixed reaction to recent federal budget By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star There was mixed reaction to the recent federal budget tabled last week in Ottawa. The federal budget reflects what Canada "wants and needs," said Durham MP Ross Stevenson. "There are further cuts to spending by making the govern- ment leaner and more efficient, while providing some signifi- cant tax relief for individual Ca- nadians, which will help them stimulate the economy," he said. "I think many people will now see the benefits of the tough but difficult decisions this gov- ernment has had to face since it was first elected in 1984." The Durham MP was re- sponding to the federal budget introduced Feb. 25 in Ottawa by Finance Minister Don Mazan- kowski. The highlights of the budget included: - personal income taxes being cut and the general personal in- come surtax dropping to four from five per cent on July 1, 1992 and to three per cent on Jan.1, 1993; - individuals will be able to withdraw up to $20,000 from their registered retirement sav- ings plan tax-free to buy or build a home, and repay the loan over 15 years; - a commitment to enrich the tax incentives for research and development by $230 million over the next five years; - the current system of child benefits will be reformed and enriched including an increase in child benefits by $400 million per year; - a deficit target of $31.4 bil- lion in 1991-92 and $27.5 billion in 1992-93; - the reduction, elimination, privatization or merging of 46 crown corporations; - a five-per cent pay cut by all ministers on April 1; - defence spending cut by $2.2 billion over the next five years. Mr. Stevenson was particu- larly impressed with the provi- sions for families which includ- ed a major rationalization of the present system. Undér the new system a monthly child tax benefit will replace the current assistance and not be subject to a tax. Chil- dren under the age of 18 will be eligible and the new benefit will include an earned-income sup- plement of up to $500 per year for low-income working families with children. "This should make the pro- cess simpler and more respon- sive to individual needs by di- recting assistance to those families with low and middle in- comes," Mr. Stevenson said. Mr. Stevenson said he be- lieves the cutting of 46 boards and agencies, as well as the five- per cent pay cut for the prime minister and cabinet, was "sending out the right signal." "The most important mes- sage in this budget is that the government intends to keep re- ducing the deficit while it's also cutting spending and taxes and Standoff in Manchester A Manchester man faces nu- merous charges following a two- hour standoff with Durham Re- gional Police's Tactical Unit last week. Police were called to a house on Highway 12 in Manchester on Feb. 25 at approximately 6:50 p.m. Once at the scene they were confronted by aman with a sawed-off shotgun in the gar- age. The man, apparently in a depressed state, was threaten- ing to shoot himself. Fearing for the man's safety, the tactical unit fired one can- nister of tear gas into the build- ing at approximately 9 p.m. The man subsequently surrendered withoutincident. Hospital Aux Our regular meeting was held on Feb. 17 in the library at the hospital with 14 members present. Our Spring Fair date had to be changed from April 25 to April 18 due to the Kinsmen Club program. We are having another draw for $200 cash. Hope you will keep this date in mind. We would love to have any suggestions you may have for an input into our fair. We al- ways appreciate your atten- dance. MILLION PENNY PROJECT Our thanks to everyone who supported our luncheon and card party with food, prizes, cash donations and by "turning- out' on a beautiful Feb. 3, 1992. We had 16 tables of cards. The bottom line was 47,336 pennies forour project. Since our Jan. meeting we have also received 12,235 pen- - nies from jars in the communi- ty. Grand total to date: 37,7680 pennies or $3,776.80. Charged with weapons dan- gerous and possession of a pro- hibited weapon is Joseph Van- derwyst, 48, of Manchester. creating more jobs. That again demonstrates the determined and realistic leadership we've given Canada over the past sev- en years, which wasn't coming from any other political par- ties," he said. Des Newman, chairman of the Durham Region Manufac- turers Association, called the budget "outstanding" noting that the country is beginning to show signs that it was coming out of the recession and it was necessary for the minister to "steer a steady course." 'I know a lot of people would have liked to see the minister re- dress the terrible damage of the last two or three years but I think we have to be realisticand start from where we are today and plot a steady course in the future," he said. Mr. Newman said it was im- portant to outline the govern- ment's priorities, instead of try- Ing toremedy every problem. He said the message he got from the budget was that the government was "being a care- ful user of the dollars" and it was prepared to "stand steady." Although many would have liked to see initiatives to kick- start the economy, Mr. New- man says it would have been done at a cost. He says it would have only placed the govern- ment in more of a debt situation. Despite coming out on side of the budget, he did find it alarm- ing that the Science Council of Canada and Economic Council of Canada were among the insti- tutions cut. He also criticized the plans for research and development. He said they were an important part of the budget, but weren't defined. Gary Herrema, chairman of Durham Region, was "disap- pointed" with the budget, how- ever. Chairman Herrema said the government "downloaded everything onto the property taxes" and "haven't done any- thing to stimulate the econo- my." Although he commended the government for creating no new taxes, he did say this will ensure that the regional taxes will go up by downloading on the prop- erty tax payer. As a result Chairman Herrema predicts a 10-per cent hike in the regional apportionate in early-April. Gord Mills, Durham East MPP, was equally unimpressed by the budget. Mr. Mills accused the federal government of crafting a budget "around tax cuts that makes themselves look good." He said as a result of the cap- ping of federal funding to medi- care and universities, Ontario will be left with the task of fund- ing these institutions. Mr. Mills noted that Ontario pays 45 per cent of all taxes, but gets in re- turn only 30 per cent. As a result of this, Mr. Mills fears that a public backlash will occur when the next provincial budget is introduced due to the increased taxes brought about by the budget. "We have been left all alone to provide the social safety net and to manage the crises taking place in our hospitals and in ed- ucation," he said. "I hope that the Tories won't fool people who care to understand the process, that somebody has to pay for medicare, education and wel- fare." Mr. Mills says there is little choice for the Ontario govern- ment but to raise taxes when the budget is released in late- April. The only alternative he says is to "slash and cut hospi- tals, education and medicare." Mr. Mills says he was in- censed that Mr. Mazankowski "had the audacity to lecture Bob Rae about adding to Ontario's deficit and tax rates in our com- ing budget." He said it was "totally irre- sponsible" of Mr. Mazankowski to suggest that they shouldn't increase taxes. i -) Bring or wear a Canadian Flag or Pin and get 10% 4 all purchases. PORT PERRY OPEN 9 AM TO 10 PM \ 7DAYSAWEEK J NUTS ABOUT CHOCOLATE, Le We will find the p miz Mailing | ists Customized Desktop Publishing electronic business forms roduct you need quickly! t © Emergency Data Recovery © hioine and Sma Business Dec: Omputer Systems Signed, Instaileg, Supported LF Software Training by Professi Ry Inexpensive Custo, essional Adut Educators BURGUNDY PLAID BR CHEI EERO R BURCHAM FURNITURE MANUFACTURING INC "Makers of Fine Furniture" HWY. 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