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"Queen's_ Park by Ken Black M._P-P. | fwd Remem- brance Day services pro- vided an excellent oppor- tunity for me to visit a number of different parts of the riding and to par- ticipate in ceremonies to remember those young people who have gave their lives during two World Wars and the Korean War to preserve freedom and democracy in our counr- try. Last Saturday | attend- ed a service in Port McNicoll; Sunday I was in Bracebridge; and on Remembrance Day itself, I joined members of the Royal Canadian Legion in Huntsville and in Midland as they paid tribute to fallen comrades. The annual The Ontario Ministry of Revenue has begun mail- ing more than 600,000 Pro- perty Tax Grant cheques to senior citizens through the province. These cheques - the se- cond instalment of the 1987 grant - provide up to $600 per household to help offset municipal and school taxes paid by seniors who rent or own their own home. Earlier this year, the government raised the grant to $600 from the $500 level. The first instalment - equal to one-half the 1986 entitlement - was mailed to senior citizens last May with approximately 631,000 households receiv- ing a total of $152 million. By the end of October, the ministry had mailed 1987 Property Tax Grant ap- plications, to more than 690,000 seniors and, based Getting around the riding On Nov. 9, Greg Sorbara, Minister responsible for Women's Issues, released a report indicating a signifi- cant portion of Ontario's female work-force could be hurt by the proposed Canada-U.S. free trade agreement. The minister said, "Throughout the pro- vince's economy, women are disproportionately represented in jobs that ap- pear to be most jeopardiz- ed by the trade agree- ment." According to the minister, nearly 100,000 women could lose their jobs in sectors of the manufacturing and service industries. The women particularly affected will be older women, those with little formal education, and immigrant women. Mr. Sorbara concluded his remarks with the statement that, 'A deal that stands to hurt so many of Ontario's working women is a bad deal tor Ontario." Many people have ex- pressed very real concerns about the state of the economy. The rapidly fluc- tuating stock market has led to predictions of reces- sion and hard times ahead. In the past few days, Treasurer Robert "Nixon has continued to point to several indicators that On- tario's economy is strong, and as a result, there is good reason for guarded optimism. In terms of employment, Ontario's total employed increased by 179,000 from Sept. 1986 to Sept. 1987, and our seasonally adjusted unemployment rate re- mained at 5.8 per cent, the lowest since 1976. The Consumer Price an- nual inflation rate was 4.5 per cent in Sept., another indicator of a solid economy. Business plann- ed to spend over $25.8 billion is capital expen- ditures in Ontario this year, a 13.6 per cent in- crease over 1986 levels. Jaze Ay v fil McLean, MPP, Tax refunds on the returns, estimates Sales Tax Grant beginning some 600,000 households will receive in excess of $200 million. The average second instalment cheque is about $336. Those who turned 65 years of age on or after Ju- ly 1 should receive an ap- plication by January 1988. First year recipients will receive their grant in one sum. Senior citizens who farm or who are tenants on farms should note that the $600 maximum applies on- ly to taxes or rent on the principal farm residence and one acre of land. The remaining farm lands and outbuildings are eligible for a 100 per cent tax rebate under the Ontario Farm Tax Rebate Program, which is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. As well, the Ministry will send out the annual $50 ARGOS needs help The Action Rehabilita- tion Group of Simcoe is seeking financial support for its work. A group spokesperson said ARGOS, which works on behalf of physically disabled people, is hoping a service club will sponsor its activities. ARGOS can not receive government funding until it is sponsored by such a club, the spokesperson said. Roxton SPECIAL in 2 finishes - light & dark oak. Free Delivery & Set Up =o Clair FURNITURE INTRODUCES SOMLND OAIX INTRODUCTORY PRICE includes 42" round extension table and 1 leaf and 4 bow back side chairs Shown above is part of a very large Solid Oak Collection by Roxton. Ye Cai FURNITURE 45 Cedar Pointe Dr. (at Dunlop & 400) STORE HOURS: Mon. to Wed. 9-6 Thurs. & Fri. 9-9, Sat. 9-5 FURNITURE $1399.90 722-7522 Page 8, Wednesday, November 18, 1987 Nov. 27 to seniors who turned 65 in September. Ontario residents turning 65 in the last three months of 1987 will receive their Sales Tax Grant early in 1988. 5, More information on either the Property Tax Grant or the Sales Tax Grant may be obtained by Simcoe East residents by -calling 1-800-263-3960 or my constituency office at 326-3246. Retail sales increased by 10.2 per cent over the first eight months of 1987 and the housing sector remains vigorous with housing starts up 109,000 units, the highest level of starts since | the first quarter growth of 1974. All of these facts suggest that although we can ex- pect a slight down-turn in the economy, there ap- pears to be every reason to expect Ontario's economy to remain strong in 1988. Along with a number of members of the govern- ment caucus, I participated in a meeting this past week with the Ontario Coalition for Better Daycare. Over 300 members of the coali- tion attended this session, at which time they presented their concerns related to day care in the province. Minister of Com- munity and Social Ser- vices, John Sweeney, dealt with a number of ques- tions. Of major concern to all is the delay by the federal government in an- nouncing their child care proposals and the cost sharing arrangements with the province. Hopefully, their plans will be made public before the end of 1987. Top Scout Boy Scout David Vanstone, a 15-year-old student at St. Theresa's high school in Midland, was honored recently with one of the top awards any Scout can get: the Chief Scout Award. He has been judged by his peers to have exemplified the principles of Scouting through leadership, voluntary service to the communi- ty as well as outdoor activity. As well, David com- pleted five badges at the gold stage and 50 hours of community work. The award is signed by Canadian Governor-General Jeanne Sauve. Chamber meeting The Midland Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Get Together for its retail/com- mercial members on Nov. 18 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Chamber office. At the meeting members will discuss ideas and pro- _grams they would like to see the retail/commercial committee sponsor on their behalf, for them and their staff. Please call the office to let the Chamber staff know if you plan to attend. Refreshments and finger foods will be served. For a limited time you can buy 1" & Micro Horizontals or Custom Fabric Verticals and get a second window covering in the same style & size (or smaller) absoutely FREE ESPRIT 1" HORIZONTAL BLINDS SIZE Ist 62" wide x 42" high PLEATED SHADES SIZE Ist ALWAYS INSISTON soxwomes. =| ouver 33° [Drape FREE In-Home 4 Consultation CUSTOM FABRIC VERTICALS AMALFI (ti 132'wx96'h $687 We will make any size you require. The above are example prices. 2nd 48" wide x 42" high $142 FREE $173 FREE 72" wide x 84" high $325 FREE 2nd 48" wide x 42" high $182 FREE 60" wide x 42' high $217 FREE 72' wide x 84' high $457 FREE FREE In-Home Consultation , 9075 ha SIZE Ist 2nd 60'wx 48"h $263 FREE 72'wx84"h $366 FREE nestor 2 LOUVET ae 3: Drape MAIN SHOWROOM Draperies & Verticals BRACEBRIDGE 687-2521 Priority Plaza, Bayfield St (across from the Georgian Mall) BARRIE 737-3433 MIDLAND SHOWROOM 299 King St. 526-8100 ORILLIA SQUARE MALL 326-0400 3