BY Brian Weller | BLOGGER
Oak Ridges-Markham
Recently a set of questions related to Energy and Education were
presented to your candidates for their response to and this weeks set of
questions relates to Tax relief. Ontarian's are shocked by the
unprecedented increase in cost of living, especially taxation to pay for
dubious expenditures and the following are comments from those
candidates who cared to respond about these issues swirling around this
campaign.
The candidates were asked the same questions and this is what your candidates had to say about Tax relief....
question #1- it has been reported that a political leader wants to
refund GO Transit fares under certain conditions. Why? Is this
affordable? Will this drive up taxes?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “GO Transit already has a
94% on-time performance, but we are committed to always doing better.
Ontario is the first place in all of North America to institute
money-back guarantees for things such as; online birth, death and
marriage certificates. This guarantee has translated into a 99% on-time
service record. We are always trying to serve Ontarians better so now
we’re applying the same guarantee to our GO train service. We will
provide a money back guarantee (full refund on your one-way fare) if
your GO Train is 15mins late or more.”
answer.......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “I believe I know what
your asking about here. I forget which party it is but one of the
parties is proposing to provide re funds for fares when service is
delayed...I believe this is due to a lot of the delays we hear about say
in the winter when switches freeze....I have only had the opportunity
to take the GO train once or twice in the past however I do hear about
these delays as I drive in to work some mornings.....In order to keep
it’s customers happy a service provider should provide something in
order to keep it’s customers. Unfortunately If the government is
controlling a service then it is possible for a government to provide
such a chit by taking from the general tax pool. Unfortunately then
there is less available for some other service that this government is
also providing. Now I for one would like to know why the government is
running a service like the GO. I think that services like that should be
an actual business.....and run like one. A business like the GO is
meant to grow with the territories it covers because it provides
transportation for people through these territories. It order for a
business to grow it must be successful..the measure of a companies
success is through its profits which enable it to pay for its own
growth. In order to make profits it needs to have customers. The way I
see it there should be Go service to a lot more places as people are
living everywhere and would just love it if they could have a reliable
service that gets them to where they need to go in good time. Yes this
coupon will eventually drive up taxes and the service will probably
never change because the government is controlling it and unlike other
service providers the government can just increase the amount of money
it collects for its pool. In the real world it doesn’t work like
that...the owners actually sweat figuring out how to make their business
better because they have to, if they don’t someone else will put them
out of business by providing a better service at a better price.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #2- it has been reported that a political leader has
promised to keep all-day kindergarten. How would you respond to this? Is
this affordable? Will this drive up taxes?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “the Ontario Liberals
have a clear plan to have full day kindergarten in all elementary
schools by September 2014. Full-day learning kindergarten will have a
positive impact on a child’s academic, social and emotional development,
while also giving parents more opportunities to work towards a better
future for their families. Research has also shown that investing in
early learning is one of the best investments a government can make –
with returns on public investment of as much as 7:1.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “I had half day
kindergarten and I can’t recall ever wondering if it would be better if I
could be there all day so I could be wrong in my thinking for all day
kindergarten. I see all day kindergarten as requiring an extra classroom
and an extra teacher, of course this costs more and since its paid for
by our taxes then our taxes will go up.....Under a libertarian
government there will be a lot less taxes therefore there will be much
more money in parent's pockets allowing them to choose what is best for
their own child including being able to spend the time at home with
their child as there won’t be the requirement to work twice as hard to
keep up with a close to 50% taxation.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #3- it has been reported that a political leader wants to
defer student loans under certain conditions. How would you respond to
this? Is this affordable? Will this drive up taxes?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “since 2003, the Ontario
Liberals have done a lot to help reduce debt load. We have capped OSAP
student debt at $7300/year, meaning that anything borrowed above that
will be forgiven and will bring back upfront grants. These are some of
the reasons why Ontario’s student loan default rate is its’ lowest in
history at 8% compared to its’ highest, under the Tories in 1997 at 23%.
For students struggling after they graduate, we brought in the
repayment assistance loan plan as well as a 6-month grace period for all
students and a 1-year grace period for students who go to work in the
non-profit sector.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “I’m am unsure about
this one so am unaware what these conditions could be. No, it’s not
affordable and it will drive up taxes. I do understand the need for
student loans. College or university education is necessary in order to
compete in today's world. However that loan should be viewed as an
investment. One gets an education in a subject because one enjoys that
subject and one can see how to use it in order to fill a need that’s out
there in the world. While I am all for higher education a loan is still
a loan.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #4- it has been reported that a cut funding to grandparents
forced to raise their grandchildren is in place. How would you respond
to this?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says that, “Ontario Liberals
understand and appreciate the commitment that people make when they
choose to care for their extended family members. This is why we
continue to invest in the Temporary Care Assistance (TCA) program, to
help people care for other people's children when the parents are
temporarily unable to. There has not been a cut to this program. In
fact, the number of families we are helping continues to grow - 37% more
children are getting our help through TCA than in power in 2003.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “To be honest I would
need to understand the use of the word ‘force’ in that sentence.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #5- it has been reported that a political leader has
promised to cut taxes and balance the books by 2017. How would you
respond to this? Is this affordable? Will this drive up taxes?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says “our deficit is now 43%
below its projected peak in fall 2009. So far, we’ve saved money by
doing things – like harmonizing our tax system, reforming our generic
drug system, and shrinking the size of the public service. There’s more
work to do, but rather than making deep, across-the-board cuts, we’ll
build on reforms in the 2011 Budget and on the recommendations of the
Drummond Commission, continue to reduce the size of the public service,
and seek new partnerships with the public, not-for-profit, and private
sectors.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “2017?....That's six
years.......I can see a libertarian government achieving this but only
because it believes in less government control of our services....The
other parties, well its possible but I’m sure that by then I will be
paying more taxes unless they at least consider adopting some
libertarian ways for how they decide to run things.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #6- there has been a suggestion by a taxpayer to replace the
HST with a 'tax' that would encourage the revival of our traditional
manufacturing industry that makes things that Ontarians need that has
been lost overseas! Do you think the idea has merit? If no, kindly
explain why? If yes, kindly explain what you would do to initiate
legislation to revive Ontario's manufacturing sector to makes things
that Ontarian's need!
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says “our Tax Plan for Jobs
and Growth, including the HST, has helped stabilize our economy and our
finances. This plan reduces taxes for a typical manufacturer, saving the
manufacturing sector over $1.2 billion per year. The Canadian
Manufacturers and Exporters have called our Tax Plan “a very positive
step for Ontario manufacturers.” Since the HST was introduced, Ontario
has created over 89,000 new jobs and the Financial Times of London
ranked Ontario second only to California in North America as a recipient
of foreign investment.”
answer.......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “We lost it to overseas
because we can’t afford to make it ourselves at the price other places
can...people will always look for a better price. I suppose some kind of
tariff could replace the HST but would it be any different really?”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #7- it has been reported that a political leader would
remove 'smart meters' from taxpayers homes. would you support this
initiative? If not, why?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “Smart Meters are about
modernizing our outdated, inefficient energy infrastructure. For
example, Hydro One has meters in their service territory that are 40-60
years old – that is unacceptable in Ontario. To date, over 4.6 million
smart meters have been installed across Ontario. These meters have been
installed on time and on budget. Smart meters will ultimately result in
savings of $1.6 billion to ratepayers as they conserve energy and avoid
the cost of both expensive electricity imports and building new peak
generation. In addition, with the new Ontario Clean Energy Benefit,
Ontario Liberals are taking 10% off hydro bills – saving the average
household $150 per year.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “That sounds
expensive....For myself I don’t really care(yet) but so many people seem
to not like them, I actually don’t know of anyone who can show me they
save money as claimed. I would like to have one to examine to see whats
really inside it though.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #8- it has been reported that a political leader would drop
the HST from taxpayers home heating, gasoline and hydro bills. would you
support this initiative? If not, why?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “both the NDP and the
PCs are making promises they cannot afford – while putting at risk the
progress Ontario has made over the past eight years. In contrast,
Ontario Liberals will continue reduce electricity bills by 10% through
the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit. We will reduce the cost of college and
university tuition by 30% for middles class families. We will reduce
child poverty by increasing the Ontario Child Benefit from $1,100 to
$1,310. We will double the Children’s Activity Tax Credit, providing up
to $100 per year to help with the cost of soccer, music lessons, art
classes, and other activities. We’ll provide seniors with an annual tax
credit of up to $1,500 to offset the cost of accessibility renovations
to their home as well as property tax deferrals, to help seniors stay in
their homes longer.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “Absolutely I would
support it.....I might be a candidate, but I use electricity and gas
just like everyone else so I would appreciate saving a bit of money....I
am also aware that to compensate somehow, somewhere the price of
something will increase in order to match this.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #9- it has been reported that a political leader would end
the annoying debt retirement charge on hydro bills. would you support
this initiative? If not, why?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “the previous PC
government’s failed attempt to privatize Ontario’s electricity system
saddled Ontarians with more than $19.4 billion in debt due to the
breakup of the old Ontario Hydro. Even though the PC government was
collecting a Debt Retirement Charge (DRC), they still managed to balloon
this debt load to about $20.6 billion by the time they left office in
2003. Since 2003, through strong management, the stranded debt and the
associated interest payments have been steadily reduced. The most recent
review by the Auditor General confirms that the remaining debt sits at
$13.4 billion -- and the DRC is on track to be eliminated by between
2015 and 2018.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “ I remember when that
charge first showed up. I couldn’t understand why it was suddenly there
and I still don’t....if my memory serves me correctly. I also remember
some sort of scandal involving the pay for some of the head operators
for whatever the electric company used to be called...I’m just upset I
am paying for a debt and I don’t know exactly what its for.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
question #10- it has been reported that a political leader would roll
back tolls on hwy #407. would you support this initiative? If not, why?
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “the Ontario Liberals
have committed that we will keep our section- the 407 East Extension,
publicly owned and controlled. This is in stark contrast to the PCs who
sold the 407 ETR to private interest groups, which has now resulted in
increased fees. Last year, an estimate valued the tolls collected on the
407 ETR at about $9 Billion – 3 times what the Tories sold it for. We
will set the toll rates and retain 100% of the revenues generated for
reinvestment in Ontario’s roads, transit and other important
infrastructure. We have committed to completing the 407 East to Highway
35/115 in 2020 with an interim opening at Taunton Road in 2017.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “this is something I’m
unaware of either....as far as I know, and I may be wrong but I think
the 407 is privately owned.....I do a lot of driving everywhere and the
407 is the only reliable stretch of highway out there...it will get you
where you need to go quickly and the times that there is a problem are
quite rare, in fact I do remember a problem but I can’t remember when it
was that’s how rare problems are..The 407 costs a bit of money but you
get what you pay for.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
......question from taxpayer -
Pols missing real issues!
Reading the paper I can’t help thinking how these clowns running for
office are missing the mark. The average person needs more money in his
or her pocket. The cost of groceries and everyday expenses are rising
rapidly, but the amount of money in people’s pockets is not. All these
tax breaks Dalton McGuinty and Tim Hudak are talking about do little or
nothing to help day to day lives. The cost of car insurance is
skyrocketing and no one has said anything about that in their campaign.
C’mon, people. Do something that will really help. None of the promises
I’ve heard will help the day to day lives of seniors. I really don’t
know
who to vote for.
Martin Allison
(Voice of the people Dalton, Tim, Andrea — what say you?)
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says that, “since 2003, we’ve
worked to make life more affordable for Ontarians. As part of our Tax
Plan for Jobs and Growth, we introduced a Clean Energy Benefit that
takes 10 percent off electricity bills, a Sales Tax Credit worth up to
$260 per person, an Energy and Property Tax Credit offering seniors up
to $1,025 per year, a Sales Tax Transition Benefit of up to $300 for
individuals and $1,000 for families, and lower income taxes for 93 per
cent of Ontario taxpayers. Overall, after factoring in the impact of the
HST, 86 per cent of senior households will have more money in their
pockets as a result of our Tax Plan. We have made home ownership for
seniors more affordable by introducing a Senior Homeowner’s Property Tax
Grant of up to $500 per year and introduced pension income splitting
for seniors. Our platform builds on our commitment to make life more
affordable for seniors. We’ll provide seniors with an annual tax credit
of up to $1,500 to offset the cost of accessibility renovations to their
home. We’ll also work with Ontario’s municipalities to give seniors the
option to defer property tax increases for as long as they choose to
stay in their home and ensure that any increase in property tax would be
deferred, interest-free, until the house is sold.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “Mr Allison....I
understand exactly what you are saying, I feel the same way as you. More
than that I also see the direction the current system is moving is not
going to make things any better in 20 years when I am a senior if I
survive that long...that’s why I’m with the libertarian party now. I
wanted to just vote for them but in order to have a candidate to vote
for I had to be that candidate. By doing this I don’t know if I will
change anything but I will at least at the end know that I did what I
could by trying to turn things in a direction that will leave me feeling
better when I go knowing that because of what I did there’s a chance
that someone like me will not have to struggle with the same issues I
have had to. I can’t understand a system that will not allow you to work
unless you are willing to give up close to half your earnings to that
system....I would like to ask you to visit the libertarian website at
Http://www.libertarian.on.ca/ and see what you think of what they have
to say. At the least if more people become aware that there are more
ways to examine this government problem we have in our lives then maybe
whichever party actually does come into power will realize that they
have a LOT of unhappy customers (not just the few percent that will
always be there)....That said I too would like to know about the auto
insurance pricing as well...I don’t understand how that works, in fact
we have no vehicle at the home mainly because insurance is just too
expensive. Right now I’m lucky because work provides me with a van as I
do service work but for everyone else here it’s the bike. As for the
seniors I wish that I had something to say that would help as it kills
me that seniors have been putting in all their lives and now at the end
when they just can’t anymore they are having problems getting through
their days. The best I can do is to listen to what they have to say and
learn from it so I might not find myself in such a position.”
......question from taxpayer -
Whose job is it to boost voter turnout?
Bob Hepburn provides a list of reasons for dismal voter turnout,
including a hatred for all politicians. I wouldn’t go that far, but do
sense a great deal of anger that politics has been allowed to morph into
nothing more than a con game — promise something and then do otherwise.
One party is as bad as the next. Mr. Hepburn might be astonished at the
turnout had we a “none of the above” option at the polls. That could
force some form of caretaker government, but I would rather foot the
bill for a new election every two months or so until they come to the
realization that they work for us and not the other way around. If we’re
not there now, we are perilously close to the point where the average
Ontarian can no longer afford to make ends meet.
Ian Brownlee,
answer......Dr. Helena Jaczek, Liberal says, “in today’s world,
everything moves at such a speed that it can be difficult to stay in
touch with all that is going on. It is important that elected officials
are visible and accessible to their constituents. I have worked hard
over the past four years to be available to hear the needs and concerns
of my constituents, whether it means meeting in person, a quick phone
call or responding to a tweet. That being said, voter turn out is all of
our responsibilities. It is up to the voter as well as the candidate to
be familiar and engaged with the concerns of your respective riding. We
are committed to engaging Ontarians in the decisions the government
makes.”
answer......Karl Boelling, Libertarian says, “MR Brownlee, The
libertarian party considers itself a ‘none of the above’ party I would
suggest you go to www.libertarian.on.ca/ and judge for yourself.
Rather than more of the same promises we are all bored of hearing they
actually want to make it possible for people to change the way things
are done by giving them the means to do so. In fact the reason I am a
candidate in this election is mainly for the reason that I could
actually vote for something that gives me hope rather than just another
vote to see that the worst doesn’t accidentally get into power.”
Responses from the other candidates to this question will be posted, as received.
