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Ontario Chamber of Commerce discusses the Liberals 2014 budget….

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Ontario Budget 2014: What Businesses Needs to Know

Today, the Government of Ontario tabled its 2014 Budget. What follows is a summary of the key highlights from a business perspective.

On the whole, this is a ‘two-steps back’ budget for Ontario businesses. The budget does little to address Ontario’s most significant problem: its runaway debt and deficit.

Spending, deficit, and debt are going up.

This budget increases government spending by $3 billion, from $127 billion in 2013-14 to $130 billion in 2014-15.

The deficit will grow from $11.3 billion to $12.5 billion over the same period. Meanwhile, Ontario’s overall debt will grow to $289.3 billion by end of 2014-15 and $317.2 billion by the end 2016-17. The province’s debt-to-GDP ratio will grow to an alarming 40.3 percent in 2014-15.

Servicing the debt will cost $11 billion in 2014-15, approximately $3 billion more than government spends on colleges and universities.

The budget includes an annual program review savings target of $250 million for 2014-15 and $500 million for each of the subsequent two years.

OCC Analysis

Ontario requires a robust plan to reduce spending and tackle the debt. Controlling spending in an effort to reduce the deficit and debt is a top priority for the OCC and the number one means by which Ontario can guarantee its long-term prosperity.

This budget falls short on the pace of deficit and debt reduction. The annual program review targets are too modest. For the OCC’s vision for a smarter, more efficient government, see Unlocking the Public Service Economy in Ontario.

Ontario is introducing a new pension plan, but at what price?

The government plans to establish the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) in 2017. The new pension plan will coincide with expected reductions in Employment Insurance premiums. Employers and employees will each contribute 1.9 percent of wages to a maximum of $90,000. These premiums would be in addition to existing Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions.

The government will also introduce legislation on Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs) in 2014. PRPPs are a new form of tax-assisted individual retirement savings plan for workers without employer-sponsored pension plans.

OCC Analysis

According to an OCC survey, 72 percent of members feel that pension reform should be a provincial priority. Eighty-six percent of members support PRPPs.

The OCC does not support a stand-alone Ontario pension plan, as the plan will create administrative duplication with the CPP, further fragment Canada’s pension landscape, and potentially deter job creation.

Only 23 percent of those surveyed said they could afford additional employer premiums. Seerecent OCC economic analysis projects that the Ring of Fire will contribute up to $9.4 billion to Ontario’s Gross Domestic Product and sustain over 5,000 jobs annually over the first 10 years of its development. In the analysis, it is estimated that government will receive between $1.8 and $1.95 billion in revenue in the first 10 years of Ring of Fire development, and up to $6.7 billion over the first 32 years.

The federal government has a history of investing in large transformational economic development projects (e.g. Alberta’s oil sands and Churchill Falls in Newfoundland and Labrador). The federal government should match the province’s commitment.

The government is dedicating revenue for transit and transportation infrastructure.

The Government of Ontario is dedicating $29 billion in funding over the next 10 years to public transit and transportation infrastructure projects. The money will come from new sources (including a 148 percent increase in the provincial aviation fuel tax over the next 4 years) and repurposed revenues from the HST on gasoline and road diesel.

OCC Analysis

Improving transit and transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is a priority for the OCC. The OCC is disappointed that the government has not looked to reducing costs to help fund any new government spending.

Some taxes are going up.

The government is raising some taxes, including tobacco taxes (up 1.5 cents per cigarette), personal income taxes (a 1-point increase for those who earn between $150,000 and $220,000 annually, and a 2-point increase on those who earn between $220,000 and $514,000 annually), and aviation fuel taxes (148 percent increase in the provincial aviation fuel tax over the next 4 years).

Further, government will no longer allow larger businesses to use the Small Business Deduction (SBD). The SBD reduces the general corporate income tax rate from 11.5 percent to 4.5 percent on the first $500,000 of income.

OCC Analysis

Any measures that diminish the province’s tax competitiveness will hurt job creation and detract from investment. For example, the government’s plan to more than double the provincial aviation fuel tax will increase the cost of flying domestically and internationally. Fuel is already airlines’ biggest cost, and Canada already loses nearly 5 million passengers to American airports every year.

The government is creating a $2.5 billion fund to attract investment to Ontario.

The government is creating a 10-year, $2.5 billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund aimed at attracting business investment to Ontario. The fund will be used to secure investments that will create jobs in Ontario and/or improve the province’s productivity and export performance.

OCC Analysis

Ontario must focus its efforts on the overall business climate, including lowering energy prices and holding the line on payroll taxes.

The province will impose registration and licensing requirements on road-building machines that use public roads and highways.

Road-building machines, including mobile cranes, hydrovacs, and concrete pumpers, are currently allowed to use tax-exempt diesel fuel in unlicensed commercial vehicles. The government will end this exemption and dedicate the revenues to public transit and transportation infrastructure.

OCC Analysis

The OCC will consult with its members to further understand the impact of these changes.

Ontario is moving forward with sector-based strategies in an effort to capitalize on the province’s competitive advantages.

The province is partnering with industry and, in some cases, providing new funding to boost growth in key industries, including Information and Communications Technology, Manufacturing, and Agri-Food.

OCC Analysis

The OCC is pleased to see the government taking a sector-based approach to economic development. The OCC’s economic agenda for Ontario, Emerging Stronger, calls on government to support the province’s competitive advantages.

 

IMPORTANT – LANDOWNERS MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT!

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 PLEASE TRY TO COME OUT TOMORROW NIGHT.  VERY GOOD SPEAKERS!
 *** Important information, for property owners in Ontario***
NIAGARA LANDOWNERS AGM MEETING, 
MAY 2ND, 2014 AT 7 p.m. Rockway Community Centre, Lincoln, ON
Guest speakers:
Tom Black, President, Ontario Landowners
Jack MacLaren, MPP, (Carleton–Mississippi Mills)  Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Liz Marshall,   President of All Rights Research Ltd., Director of Research – Ontario Landowners Association, and Director – Canadian Justice Review Board. 
Liz Marshall continues to be a strong and outspoken advocate for private property rights.  Elizabeth is well known throughout Ontario as a guest speaker at community events and as a frequent guest on radio broadcasts that have raised public awareness about the legal rights contained in Crown Land Patent Grants.

 

PLAN TO ATTEND! Carmen Krogh’s Talk, at University of Waterloo….

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Talk Announcement:

Speaker: Carmen Krogh
Date: Wed 7 May 2014.  3:30pm.
Place: DC1302 (Davis Center), University of Waterloo
Title: “Harm from Wind Turbines: What Has Been Known for Decades”

Abstract:

 

The topic of adverse health effects associated with wind facilities is globally debated. It is acknowledged that if placed too close to residents, industrial wind turbines can negatively affect the physical, mental and social well-being of some. In addition to the general population, at risk are the vulnerable such as fetuses, babies, children, elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions. There is published research on the effects of Low Frequency/Infrasound (LFI) on people and animals dating back several decades. This presentation will provide some of the available evidence drawn from peer reviewed literature, authoritative references, and other sources. It is proposed that known risk of harm can be avoided by siting wind facilities a protective distance from residents.

 

Bio:

 

Carmen Krogh is published in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals and has presented papers at scientific noise conferences. She is an independent, full time volunteer and for almost 6 years has researched health and other effects associated with industrial wind energy facilities and shares information with individuals, communities, authorities, wind energy developers, industry and others. Krogh’s background in health care, vigilance monitoring, editing and publishing helps inform her work. She held senior positions at a major teaching hospital; as a drug information researcher; a professional association and the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada (PMRA). She is a former Director of Publications and Editor-in-chief of the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS), the book used by physicians, nurses, and health professionals for prescribing information on prescription medication in Canada. Her goal is evidence-based siting of IWTs that protects human health.
IMPORTANT NOTICE*****Carmen Krogh’s talk, is open to the public.

Try to attend if at all possible.  Call Shellie @ 905-386-0765 to arrange for carpooling.

Thanks…

Carmen Krogh speaking at University of Waterloo….Wed. May 7th – 3:30 pm

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Carmen Krogh | Harm from Wind Turbines: What Has Been Known for DecadesExport this event to calendar

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 – 3:30 pm

Harm from Wind Turbines, What has been known for Decades. A review of research on the effects of Low Frequency/Infrasound on people and animals.

The topic of adverse health effects associated with wind facilities is globally debated. It is acknowledged that if placed too close to residents, industrial wind turbines can negatively affect the physical, mental and social well-being of some. In addition to the general population, at risk are the vulnerable such as fetuses, babies, children, elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions. There is published research on the effects of Low Frequency/Infrasound (LFI) on people and animals dating back several decades. This presentation will provide some of the available evidence drawn from peer reviewed literature, authoritative references, and other sources.

It is proposed that known risk of harm can be avoided by siting wind facilities a protective distance from residents.

Bio:

Carmen Krogh is published in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals and has presented papers at scientific noise conferences. She is an independent, full time volunteer and for almost 6 years has researched health and other effects associated with industrial wind energy facilities and shares information with individuals, communities, authorities, wind energy developers, industry and others.  Krogh’s background in health care, vigilance monitoring, editing and publishing helps inform her work. She held senior positions at a major teaching hospital; as a drug information researcher; a professional association and the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada (PMRA). She is a former Director of Publications and Editor-in-chief of the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS), the book used by physicians, nurses, and health professionals for prescribing information on prescription medication in Canada. Her goal is evidence-based siting of IWTs that protects human health.

Host
Cheriton School of Computer Science
Event website
https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/~mannr/Krogh-Announce.html
Location
DC – William G. Davis Computer Research Centre

Room 1302
200 University Avenue West

Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1

Canada
Map data ©2014 Google

Map
Satellite
200 m

Julian Falconer and Carmen Krogh, speaking in Plympton-Wyoming! May 5th

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ENERGY

Julian Falconer to speak at wind energy town hall

By Paul Morden, Sarnia Observer

Tuesday, April 22, 2014 12:51:12 EDT PM

Noted Canadian lawyer Julian Falconer is set to speak at a May 5 town hall meeting a Plympton-Wyoming citizens group is organizing to rally support for its fight against Suncor Energy’s proposed 46-turbine Cedar Point Wind Power Project.

Falconer, known for his human rights advocacy and involvement in high profile cases like the Ipperwash Inquiry, along with lawyer Asha James from Falconer’s firm, are set to speak at the meeting about Charter of Rights and Freedom challenges of wind energy projects.

“He knows how to make things happen and has quite a reputation,” said Ingrid Willemsen, with the group We’re Against Industrial Turbines – Plympton-Wyoming.

“We’re quite excited he’ll be there.”

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Camlachie Community Centre. Willemsen said group members hope to fill the hall and attract more residents to their cause.

“I think it’s about the only thing the community has left to hope for,” she said.

Suncor has a contract to sell power from its Cedar Point project to Ontario’s electricity grid, and has submitted an application for provincial environmental approval for turbines it plans to build in Plympton-Wyoming, Lambton Shores and Warwick Township.

Also scheduled to address the town hall meeting are Ben Lansink, a real estate appraiser and consultant, who will speak about the impact of turbines on property values, and Carmen Krogh, one of the authors of an article published in the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine on the health impacts of wind farms.

Willemsen said the view of turbines going up along Highway 402, just east of Lambton County, is showing local residents what’s on the way to their communities, and may spur more opposition to wind projects.

“A lot of people have not involved themselves because they don’t know how it’s going to affect them,” she said. “They haven’t seen them, right close.”

As well as awaiting provincial environmental approval for its Cedar Point project, Suncor has taken the Town of Plympton-Wyoming to court over several of its bylaws aimed at wind turbines.

Earlier this month, Suncor officials met with town council after the judge hearing the case asked the two sides to explore the possibility of a settlement.

Mayor Lonny Napper said Tuesday councillors were still waiting to hear back from the town’s lawyer before responding to Suncor.

Willemsen said she remains hopeful Suncor’s wind project can be stopped.

“They need to jump through the hoops, just like any other project, and the longer it’s delayed, the better our chances,” she said.

 

paul.morden@sunmedia.ca

 

A SPRING ELECTION IS IN THE CARDS!!! Ontario stands a chance!

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   ONW EXCLUSIVE: HORWATH, AIDES DECIDE TO FORCE SPRING ELECTION 

  

By Susanna Kelley

Andrea Horwath and her most senior advisors have made the decision to pull the plug on the minority Liberal government and go to a spring election, sources have told OntarioNewsWatch.com.

Ms. Horwath and her inner circle have determined they cannot be seen to be propping up Kathleen Wynne’s minority Liberals now that criminal charges may be laid in connection with the alleged wiping of 24 computer hard drives in the Premier’s Office.

Senior NDP advisors believe that supporting the Liberals would give PC leader Tim Hudak “too much of a hammer” against Ms. Horwath and they don’t want to be put in that position in the public eye, says an inside source.

A major consideration is that it is the Conservatives that pose the biggest threat to new ridings won by the NDP since Ms. Horwath became leader – Niagara Falls, London West, Windsor-Tecumseh, Kitchener-Waterloo, Essex, and others.

An e-mail has gone out to riding associations offering them insurance for their campaign offices – a routine election procedure that is not usually done until a party has decided it is definitely going to the polls.

“They don’t want to give Hudak the ammunition” of accusing Ms. Horwath and NDP MPPs of propping up a government whose paid staffer has allegedly broken the law by facilitating the deletion of information such as that concerning the gas plants scandal.

As news of the decision spread at Queen’s Park, NDP’s media director Eion Callan called ONW to “deny the premise” of the story.

In an aggressive tone, Mr. Callan called it “irresponsible,” “grossly inaccurate speculation,” and said the proof of that would be seen eventually.

Asked if that meant the NDP would vote for the budget and continue supporting the Liberals, Mr. Callan evaded the question.

A statement by NDP house leader Gilles Bisson called the information that a decision has been made “a complete fabrication.” He did not deny that the NDP would defeat the upcoming budget.

ONW replied that it stands completely behind the story.

The Liberals under Dalton McGuinty cancelled the construction of two gas plants – in Oakville and Mississauga – at the eleventh hour, costing the taxpayers more than $1 billion. Critics charge they were cancelled in order to save five Liberal seats in the 2011 election, enabling the party to win a minority government.

Mr. Hudak has pushed hard for another election ever since then.

His efforts have ramped up strongly since the OPP revealed there may be charges laid against former McGuinty Chief of Staff David Livingston for allegedly providing an administrative password to an outside computer expert who the OPP allege wiped the computer.

Mr. Hudak and PC MPP Lisa MacLeod have charged that Ms. Horwath has lost the moral authority to continue supporting the Liberal minority government because of these developments.

Mr. Hudak is being sued by Ms. Wynne for libel after he commented that she “oversaw and possibly ordered” the wiping of the hard drives.

Ms. Wynne has denied that, launching a suit seeking $2 million dollars in damages against Mr. Hudak, Ms. MacLeod and the Conservative Party.

While pressure from labour (which is worried about consequences for working Ontarians and the unions themselves from a Tim Hudak government) and unforeseen events could still have an effect, there are other signs the NDP is full-up preparing for a spring election.

ONW has also confirmed reports by The Toronto Star’s Robert Benzie that the NDP is holding “intensive” campaign readiness training for senior campaign workers this week.

Posted date : April 21, 2014