More HST Surprises from Queen’s Park

With each passing day, Ontarians are discovering new ways in which the Harmonized Sales Tax will cost us more and deliver less service.

During Question Period last week, the Official Opposition pointed out that the HST will add about 8% to many healthcare costs. In a May 2009 report, KPMG Canada warned that the HST will add 8% to rent and leases, power, heat, temporary staff, and medical supplies of doctors and other frontline health care professionals. Under Dalton McGuinty’s HST, doctors and hospitals are ineligible to claim input tax credits for their business purchases. These higher costs will therefore have to either be absorbed by health care professionals (Resulting in reduced services.) or by patients and families. The outcome will be higher taxes and OHIP premiums. The most troubling aspect of the new HST tax is that Premier McGuinty knew of these additional costs and said nothing.

Last week, Ontarians also learned the LCBO won’t be taking any immediate steps to pass on the supposed savings resulting from the Harmonized Sales Tax. Throughout the HST debate, the McGuinty government has claimed higher costs for HST will be offset by businesses paying reduced taxes and passing those taxes on to the consumer. Last week, Ontarians learned that government-owned LCBO stores are in no rush to pass on HST savings to consumers. In fact, the McGuinty government has actually ordered the LCBO increase its mark-up and pocket the difference. The closer we look at the HST, the more it is seen to be just another tax grab. If the government-run LCBO won’t reduce prices because of the money it’s saving from Harmonized Sales Tax, why should we expect lower prices from other businesses?

Countdown to Ontario Senior Games in Oshawa

The City of Oshawa will host more than 1,200 visitors at the 2010 Ontario Senior Games this summer.  The games take place from August 10-12 in an event that will welcome top 55-plus senior competitors, coaches, officials, spectators and VIPS from across Ontario.  There are a total of 17 sanctioned events ranging from pickleball to five-pin-bowling, swimming, cycling, cribbage and euchre.   More information is online at www.actifest2010.com. Ontario’s Ministry of Health Promotion is a partner in this event.

Grants Help Ontario Parents Reach Out

Applications for Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grants are available for the 2010-11 school year. Grants at the local school level are generally for projects costing under $1,000 and include initiatives such as guest speakers, workshops, and lending libraries for parents. Many of these projects focus on reaching parents who may not be involved in their child’s education because of language barriers, unfamiliarity with the Ontario school system or other factors. Applications at the school level must come from School Councils. There are also Parents Reaching Out grants at the provincial/regional level. Last year, the Province of Ontario funded over 1,600 projects that encouraged parental involvement in their local schools. The final date for applications is Friday, June 11.

MPPs Work Together on Alzheimer Strategy

Earlier this month, Whitby-Oshawa MPP Christine Elliott, along with MPPs Donna Cansfield and Cheri DiNovo sponsored legislation intended to develop a strategy for research, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer disease and related dementias.  The legislation, if passed, would also include the creation of an Alzheimer Advisory Council.  The Advisory Council would cover topics including public education and awareness, training, research, strategies for care, treatment and prevention.

Dementia is a syndrome that affects a person’s ability to function and includes loss of memory, judgment and changes in mood and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain which causes thinking or memory to become impaired and may cause changes in behaviors or abilities.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It accounts for 64% of all dementia in Canada. By the year 2008, we had a population of 480,600 people with this disease. As Ontario’s population ages, this number will grow, because we have the greatest number in our population.

It is encouraging to see all three parties working together on an initiative as important as responding to Alzheimer disease and other dementias with care, compassion, and awareness. This, along with the best resources for research, treatment and prevention, will increase quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s. The introduction of Bill 52, Alzheimer Advisory Council Act, 2010 is a positive, co-operative event that I strongly support.

Ontario’s Provincial Parks Welcome You

Most of Ontario’s Provincial Parks opened Friday, May 14, 2010. Whether it’s fishing, camping, kayaking, canoeing, or hiking, visitors will find a wide range of recreational and educational activities available throughout the summer. You can reserve a campsite by calling 1-888-ONTPARK between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Or, you can go online for information and booking at www.OntarioParks.com. There are 329 provincial parks in Ontario and more than 100 provide visitor facilities. Last year, 9.5 million visits were made by people from around the world to Ontario Parks. Many Ontario Parks provide barrier free facilities. The parks web site gives details on which parks are barrier-free, along with the various features available at each park. If you have any comments or suggestions, please call me at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 or send me an e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org.