vw Senior Citizens Christmas Shopping Night Thursday Dec. 8th, 7:00 p.m : 9:00 p.m. SS Page 16, News, Wednesday, December 7 , 1988 eniors receive Sales tax cheques The Ontario Ministry of Reve- nuc has started mailing the annu- al Sales Tax Grant cheques to ap- proximately 1,055,000 Ontario seniors. The $50 cheques are sent automatically each year to Ontar- io residents aged 65 or over to help offset their retail sales tax payments. This year payments totalled close to $53 million. "We're very pleased to mail these cheques to Ontario's senior citizens," commented Revenue Minister Bernard Grandmaitre. Downhill skiing may be virtually eliminated in southern Ontario because of the 'greenhouse effect' warming the earth's atmosphere, says a study released recently by Environment Canada. Ski areas in Northern Ontario may also lose millions of dollars a year because also affect activities trend will recreational camping. The greenhouse effect is caused by carbon dioxide and _ other, largely human-produced, -- gases accumulating in the atmosphere. These gases admit heat from the sun to the earth, but trap heat radiated back from the earth, increasing the atmospheric temperature. Climatologists estimate that as a result the average temperature will rise by about 3.5 degrees Celsius in southern Ontario over the next 50 years. The change is expected to affect many climate-dependent recreational activities. Dr. Geoffrey Wall, a geography summer such as sebirieseseeseissae of a lack of snow. The warming. "It is the Government's belicf that seniors deserve special relicf from provincial retail sales tax. We know these cheques are very much appreciated and seniors should be receiving them within the next few weeks. Seniors turn- ing 65 during the last three months of this year will receive their cheques no later than the end of January 1989." Mr. Grandmaitre pointed out that the Sales Tax Grant should not be confused with the Pro- professor at the University of Waterloo, and his colleague Dr. Geoff McBoyle looked at the effects of warmer temperatures on the ski season in the Collingwood area of southern Ontario and the Lakehead area near Thunder Bay in Northern Ontario. The ski season in the Lakehead will be reduced by about 35 per cent, the researchers estimate. However, they expect that the key periods of Christmas and the mid- February university/college break will continue to have enough snow. The loss of skiing in northern Ontario will occur mainly in March, when about 20 per cent of skier visits. occur. Wall estimates that the area will lose about $2 million in revenues. Skiing will be much harder hit in the Collingwood area, since the season there is more marginal. "'The Collingwood area is already experiencing some bad years for skiing, such as the 1979-80 season," says Wall. He estimates ' ~ retail perty Tax Grant, which is the other half of Ontario's Tax Grants for Seniors Program. The Pro- perty Tax Grant is provided an- nually to eligible scniors who complete an application form and return it to the Ministry. The grant, payable in two in- stallments, is designed to offset seniors' property tax payments. Enquiries regarding the Ontario Tax Grants for Seniors program should be directed to Revenue's toll-free, multilingual Informa- the loss of a reliable downhill skiing -season would result in losses of $36 million a year, with skiing-related business in. Collingwood falling off by another $13 million. Wall says ski hill operators are already starting to diversify their activities, with summer recreational facilities such as the slide ride at Blue Mountain and increased real estate sales to ensure a year-round clientele. The greenhouse effect is also likely to result in longer, warmer summers, lengthening the camping season. However, lower water levels in the Great Lakes, another change brought on by the warming, will result in gradual drying or shifting of many important wetland areas where there are now national and provincial parks. Wall's study looks at the effects of lower water levels on Point Pelee National Park on Lake Erie and Presqu'ile Provincial Park on eastern Lake Ontario. Both are wetland areas, important for a) Hudson Bay Northern Stores Inc. Schreiber, Ontario The Bay wishes to extend an invitation to all senior citizens to a special night of shopping. Receive FREE Coffee &Biscuits FREE Gift Wrapping FREE Draws 20% OFF Your Purchases ScratchCard not valid udsons Bay ~ ¢ NORTHERN STORES Note: Senior Citizens Card may be required. tion Centre at onc of the follow- ing numbers: e in Metro Toronto call 965- 8470 e in area code 416 call 1- 800-263-7700 e in arca code 807 call 1- 800-263-7965 e in all other arcas call 1- 800-263-3960 e Telephone Device for the Deaf call 1-800-263-7776 Greenhouse effect may hurt skiing season Say scientists following study wildlife as well as_ recreation. However, as water levels go down, both areas will change dramatically. For example, extreme dryness of the marsh led to a major fire at Point Pelee in summer 1988. "In order to have a wetland, you have to have fluctuating water levels,'? says Wall. "Water levels, though lower, will continue to fluctuate, so we will continue to have wetlands. They will be relocated rather than lost." Recreation and natural resource planners will have to cope with the shifts of important natural areas such as wetlands and shorelines, he says. Management techniques, for example watering and seeding in parks and the creation of more areas for picnics and _ other activities, may be necessary to allow the parks to withstand increased use without suffering environmental damage. Wall's study was funded by the Atmospheric Environment Service of Environment Canada. Extra Special Christmas Carols Live!!! Holy Angels School Choir will be giving a recital in store. Commencing 7:30 p.m. Bonus SHARE THE FEELING WITH CHARITY BEAR Buy our Charity Bear for just 9.99 with accumulated purchases of $50 or more, and the Bay will donate $1 to a local charity from each bear sold!