New Year’s Levee January 8, 2012

Everyone is invited to attend my annual Durham Riding New Year’s Levee in Bowmanville on Sunday, January 8, from 2-4 p.m. The location is at the Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre. (62 Temperance St.) The Centre is located in the former Bowmanville Library, just north of the Town Hall in downtown Bowmanville. The levee is an opportunity to enjoy light refreshments and music as we chat with friends, relax after the busy Christmas season, and look forward to the New Year. I hope to see you January 8. All are welcome!

Tax Incentives Need to Continue in 2012

Opposition Leader Tim Hudak has warned Premier McGuinty not to break his promise to Ontario businesses by abandoning a statutory commitment to reduce the business tax rate. The McGuinty government has claimed the rates will be reduced to 10 per cent by 2013. Now, this same government is hinting that the next installment in the rate reduction for 2012 may not go ahead after all. Keep in mind, corporations only pay taxes when they make a profit.

In my view, competitive tax rates for employers are the best tool we have to attract investment and help Ontario companies thrive in a fiercely competitive global economy. Competitive tax rates also sustain millions of good jobs.

Tim Hudak warned that, with Ontario’s deficit surging past $16 billion and more than a half a million Ontarians out of work, this is not the time to put even more pressure on Ontario’s businesses through high taxes. The PC leader added that the global economy cannot be blamed for Ontario’s economic woes because the provincial jobless rate has exceeded the national average since 2007. That was well before the market meltdown that occurred the following year.

If you think tax advantages for businesses favour only the rich, you might want to take a look at your pension plan. The two-thirds of Ontarians with an RRSP are mainly middle-income earners who have seen their retirement savings eroded during a volatile stock market. Retirement savings plans contain a good proportion of publicly-traded stocks issued by the very same companies who will be penalized if the government decides to keep taxes high. Remember that most pension funds, including CPP, are invested in publicly traded companies that work hard to pay a dividend to shareholders.

Highway Information for Safe Winter Driving

You can reduce your risk by checking winter driving conditions posted for provincial highways at the Ministry of Transportation web site, www.mto.gov.on.ca. The site has links to a 24/7 Travelers’ Road Information Portal (TRIP) that includes road closures and restrictions, winter road conditions, construction information and road cameras for provincial highways.  You can also contact the provincial call centre for driving conditions at 1-800-268-4686. Remember also to plan ahead with a winter maintenance checkup, a winter survival kit and by removing snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof. Remember to drive according to weather conditions, don’t follow too closely, and ensure you can see and be seen by keeping your headlights on.

Top Children’s Names for 2011

Ethan and Olivia are still the most popular names for boys and girls born in Ontario last year. Other favourite names include Liam, Jacob, Lucas and Noah for boys, and Emma, Isabella, Sophia and Ava for girls. Ontario parents can register their newborn’s birth and name online at www.ontario.ca . The newborn registration service allows parents to apply for their child’s Birth Certificate, Social Insurance Number and Canada Child Benefits, including the Ontario Child Benefit. That’s four separate applications combined into one online application.

Conservation Tips for Winter Weather

Did you know that, when properly set, a thermostat can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10 per cent? Conservation experts recommend setting thermostats to 20°C when you’re at home and 18°C when sleeping or away.

Other conservation measures to save money and energy include weatherstripping around gaps such as doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and air conditioners. Reducing drafts can save up to 30 per cent each year on heating costs.  Unplugging electronics such as computers and TVs when not in use, changing your furnace filter each month and cleaning refrigerator coils are a few other examples of energy-saving measures.

I agree that relatively small steps towards energy savings can go a long way in helping manage consumption of electricity and heating fuels. At the same time, there are limitations to how energy-efficient we can become. That’s why the provincial government also needs to take some of the taxes and fees off our hydro bills and heating bills. In a province such as ours, where heat and hydro are necessities, we need to remove the Ontario portion of the HST from electricity bills and home heating as well as getting rid of the electricity debt retirement charge because the debt has already been paid.

Family Fun in Ontario and Durham

Ontario’s online travel information centre offers some tips for your next winter getaway. Whether you’re planning a family outing for a day, a weekend, or for March Break, there’s information available online at www.ontariotravel.net . This web site is a handy portal to events and activities taking place in Ontario this winter and throughout the year. Durham Region’s travel information centre has a complete list of winter and year-round attractions online at www.durhamtourism.ca .