A10 THE FORESTER, Wednesday, December 2, 2009 may hold key to future of HST, says MPP Miller Conservatives still plan to fight for public hearings on controversial tax

By Brent Cooper The provincial Liberal govern- pushing for public hearings on proposed $10.6 billion in tem- media,” he said. ment is proposing to combine the the bill for months now, but the porary and permanent tax relief, “I think that the great major- Norm Miller is waiting for infor- eight per cent sales tax MPP said they have not received according to a release issued by ity of people still don’t know a lot mation from Ottawa that could and the five per cent goods and any support from Premier Dalton the Ministry of Finance. about what this (HST) means to determine the fate of the Ontario services tax (GST) into a single 13 McGuinty on this front. He said Included in the relief, eligi- the average person and they won’t Liberals’ controversial harmo- per cent value-added sales tax that the HST does nothing more than ble families who earn less than really know about it until July 1, nized sales tax (HST). would be federally administered, shift taxation from businesses $160,000 per year would receive when they go to fill up their car According to published reports, starting July 1, 2010. onto Ontario residents, particu- three payments totalling $1,000 and see that gas is eight cents a federal Liberal leader Michael The new tax has been widely larly those on fixed incomes, who between June 2010 and June 2011, litre more,” he said. Ignatieff was to meet yesterday criticized by consumers’ and will be hit the hardest. while singles earning less than Miller added the timing of the (Tuesday) with his caucus to seniors’ advocacy groups as noth- “We have been making what $80,000 would get three payments taxation makes little sense as peo- determine their vote on the pro- ing more than a tax grab. we think is a fairly reasonable totalling $300. ple are still trying to dig them- posed taxation program. They say the HST would raise request, which is to hold public Miller said the payments are selves out of a recession that many The Liberals may hold the the levies on scores of goods and meetings, which they normally do nothing more than “bribing peo- feel is still present in the economy. deciding vote on the minority services, including heating fuel, for any bill. They need to hear ple with their own money.” The MPP said he has heard from Conservative government legisla- gasoline, newspapers, fast-food from people in the province and The Conservatives staged their a number of his constituents who tion, which, if passed, would allow value meals, funerals and other I can certainly tell you that I have own protest on Nov. 24 over the are worried about what the HST the merger of the federal GST items and services. heard from people in my riding government’s refusal to hold pub- will do to their household bud- and provincial sales taxes in both Proponents of the proposed with concerns. I think it is a fairly lic hearings on the proposed legis- get, including one resident who Ontario and . tax – who include economists and reasonable thing to ask that gov- lation. The 25 MPPs walked out of he said told him that if the tax Reports are that the Bloc Que- business leaders – argue that the ernment to do what they do with question period, leaving only nine is instituted, his annual heating becois will probably support the program is not a tax grab, but any bill, and that is to give people NDP members to debate the taxa- bill of $3,500 would increase by legislation, but has not made rather is a legitimate attempt to a chance to comment on it,” he tion with the government. about $280. any firm commitment, while the make the sales tax regime more said to the Forester. “We are doing what we can to “People are struggling right New Democrats say they will efficient and less of a deterrent to To try and offset the sting of slow down the process, ask for now and it is a difficult time to vote against the legislation, thus business investment. additional taxation on numerous public meetings an create some further tax people. The timing for potentially giving the Liberals the Miller and his party have been items, the provincial Liberals have public awareness through the this makes no sense,” he said. swing vote. If the federal government cannot pass the legislation to allow for the merger of the taxes, the HST will fall flat in Ontario. Miller, the Parry Sound- Muskoka MPP and the finance critic for the Ontario Conserva- tives, said he will be watching what transpires this week from Ottawa regarding the new leg- islation. The Huntsville Community Policing Committee “I don’t know how long it will would like to announce our Annual General Meeting. take (the federal government) This meeting will take place on Tuesday, December to go through their process. It the 8th, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Huntsville Civic Cen- is probably a lot shakier on the tre, (Town Hall), meeting room #1 on level #2. We federal scene because the Con- WELCOME: Baysville After-School Program parents and children hosted the food booth at are currently looking for new members to join our servatives there hold a minority the Community Centre on the weekend during the men’s annual four-on-four community oriented committee. Come out to see parliament. It does look a little hockey tournament to raise funds for their program. From left are Linda Harris, Sabrina what our organization is about and how we can con- less clear… what will happen on Anderson, Charlie Rutledge, Jenna Harris, Rose Janes, and cooking in the background is tribute to the community.” the federal side,” he said. Dawn Lawless. PHOTO BY DEBBIE BRADLEY Seasonal flu shot offered at The Rotary Club of Huntsville would like to thank all H1N1 clinics By Carli Whitwell individuals and businesses who contributed to another

You can now roll up both your successful annual Christmas Auction. sleeves at the regional health unit’s public clinics. Thanks to you over $30,000 was raised to allow Beginning yesterday, the Sim- coe Muskoka District Health Unit is offering seasonal flu shots along Rotary to do good works in our community and beyond. with the H1N1 vaccine at all of its clinics. 3 Guys and a Stove Dwight Trading Post Kimberly Clark Rainbow Motel “We feel we have the capacity Aben Graphics Dwight Village Motel King William Inn Randy Durst Marine & now at the clinics to offer both,” Abe’s Pump Service Edmonds GM Kitchens by Crane Small Engines said Dr. Charles Gardner, medical Able Chiropractic and Massage Enterprise Rent-a-Car Krown Rustproofi ng Refl ections of Muskoka officer of health for the Simcoe Acme Planning Mills Ltd Fairy Bay Guest House La Dolce Vita Trattoria Robinson’s General Store Muskoka District Health Unit, in a Adrienne’s Gas Bar Family Place Restaurant Lake Country Offi ce Solutions Rock Ridge Recreation Park press conference on Friday. Ahimsa Fern Glen Garden Center Lakeland Auto Repair Rocky Island Tire Co It is safe to be given both shots Algonquin Animal Hospital Festing Toyota Lakeland Power Distribution Rolston Home Building Supplies at the same time, according to the Algonquin Outfi tters First Choice Haircutters Leeder Fuels Ron Henry Jewellers Public Health Agency of , Al’s Taxi Fitt Gym Liberty Tax Service Rona though in different arms. Annie’s Hair Styling Florences Flowers Lindgren Pottery Royal Bank And, if you haven’t already, it’s Apple Auto Glass Gary J Fisher CMA Little Place by the Lights Royal Lepage important to get both, said Gard- Arowhon Pines Resort GB Catering M&M Hair Place - Lake of Bays Offi ce - Dwight ner. Flu season, he explained, is Arrowhead Camp George Young Video Productions M&M Meats Royal Tire just starting, and in addition to the Artisans of Muskoka Good Life Fitness for Women macs@work Ryan & Lewis Lawyers H1N1 strain, which has been the Autosave Collision & Refi nishing Grandview Mark O’Meara Maplewood Chiropractic Scotia Bank dominant strain so far this season, Axiom Audio Green’s Haulage Marineland Niagara Sears Huntsville other strains could crop up. Bailey & Pinckard Lawyers Gryffi n Lodge MBRP Secret Pleasures Boutique The seasonal flu vaccine, he Bartlett Lodge Hampton Lane Mens Wear McIlroy & Payne Insurance Shaw Festival Theatre said, is your defence against these. The H1N1 vaccine, meanwhile, BDO Dunwoody Head to Foot Spa Mitchell Funeral Home Shaw Heating will protect you from a possible Bechtels Home Heating Heather Douglas Photography Mobile Marine 2007 Ltd Shawn Pudsey Lawyer third wave of the H1N1 virus. 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Since opening its clinics on Century 21 Real Estate Chamber of Commerce Muskoka Travel Service The Nov. 2, the health unit and area Christmas Tyme Huntsville Marine - Hammond Transportation The Driving Range at Martins Farm health-care providers have doled CIBC Huntsville Muskoka Otters Muskoski Urban Rustic Living The Framing Place and Gallery out 144,000 doses of the H1N1 Clement Aluminum & Vinyl Huntsville Natural Therapy Center Near North Business Machines The Great Vine vaccine. That number repre- Comfort Inn Huntsville Travel Nor’loch Lodge The New Bickley Ford sents about 30 per cent of the Community Telecom Huntsville Window & Door Norsemen Restaurant The Real Muskoka Experience region’s population. 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Maw Landscaping Jane Marshall Flowers Petticoats Town of Huntsville Still, despite the intense public Dean’s Home Hardware Jason Armstrong’s Huntsville Honda Pharmasave Travelodge scrutiny and its atypical start, the Deerhurst Resort Jason Armstrong’s Hyundai Pinestead Furniture Watkins - Colleen Hemming flu season, so far, has been similar Delta Hotels East of Muskoka Pizza Pizza Weed Man to years past, said Gardner Diamond in the Rough Jenny Kirkpatrick Pool - Spa - Sauna Showroom West End Motors In the first two waves of the Dog Gone Beautiful John Jackson Surveying Ltd Port Sydney-Utterson Westside Fish and Chips H1N1, there’s been a combined Doggie Motel Jon Snelson Photography Sand & Gravel Wilsons The Paint Store total of 81 hospitalizations in the region in comparison to the 90 Dr Gordon Creasor Optomitrist K&K Sanitation Portage Store Wine Not seen during past flu seasons. There Due North Outpost Camps Kawartha Credit Union Pow Wow Point Lodge Wolsley Plumbing Supplies have been three deaths this sea- Duncan Ross Architect Kawartha Dairy Proactive Rehab & Sports WSI Waste Services son, while in past seasons about Dwight Garden Center Kelly’s Home Furniture Injury Center Yesterdays Books nine people have died. Dwight Lumber Kevin & Susan Billingsley Pub on the Docks Young Drivers of Canada The clinics will run four days Dwight Market Kilarney Lodge R&G Construction Zellers a week — Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays — until Dec. 12 and are now being offered in smaller community centres Special thanks to such as MacTier and Dwight. Once they are finished, some TV Cogeco • 105.5 Moose FM • Huntsville Forester doctors will continue to offer the vaccines. For the location of the Ripples Web Design• Seagrams Real Estate clinics, phone Your Health Con- nection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.