The statements, opinions, or views in the articles may not necessarily reflect that of the Goan Voice Canada.

Protect yourself againt Swine Flu
http://www.catholicregister.org/content/view/3553/40
Friday, 30 October 2009 | Written by Catholic Register Staff

Vaccination as the great procrastinator Hamlet might have put it: To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the question.

With cases of H1N1 influenza (a.k.a. the Swine Flu) on the rise and deaths beginning to mount, millions of Canadians apparently remain unconvinced that immunization is necessary. Polls indicate that up to half the population either distrusts the evidence of an impending health crisis or doubts the safety of the vaccine and will not vaccinate. Health officials are ringing the alarm for a coming pandemic, but skeptics are seeing a hot-air balloon and a boy hiding in the rafters.

Besides putting a person’s own health at risk, refusing a free inoculation for a virus that is potentially fatal and highly contagious is selfish and even immoral. Widespread refusal of vaccination will, according to health officials, result in thousands of needless deaths and illnesses, increasingly destabilize an already under-funded and overworked health-care system and, as workers fall ill, further damage an economy struggling to escape recession.

Why such reluctance to vaccinate? Maybe it’s a sign of the times. Society has developed a general skepticism regarding pronouncements from government, science, business, media and even the church. We live in a world where the good deeds of the many are often tainted by the hyperbole, deception and cynicism of a few. In recent weeks we’ve learned of politicians squandering a billion tax dollars on consultants, businessmen swindling investors, respected news organizations falling for a hoax and a bishop betraying his flock.

So when governments join with science and the media to declare an impending health crisis, the warnings are questioned by many. Doubters claim government agencies are exaggerating the risk, or the science behind the vaccine is flawed, or pharmaceutical companies are padding profits, or the media is sensationalizing to boost ratings in a tough economy. A breach of trust has developed between authority and society that, in this case, could have deadly results.

According to Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, the risk of suffering serious side effects from the H1N1 vaccination are one in a million. Against that, if half the Canadian population refuses their shot, health officials expect millions to fall sick and thousands to die. Are the projections accurate? Who knows. But even reduced by half, the numbers are frightening. As a society we share a fundamental moral responsibility to take every precaution to reduce the health threat, if not to protect ourselves then certainly to protect others. The H1N1 vaccine has been administered in several other nations with no noticeable ill effects. It’s our turn.

Yes, our democracy gives us a free choice in the matter. So we have a right to refuse. But as Christians called to love our neighbour it is an abuse of our God-given freedom to make choices that can harm others. Refusing inoculation has the potential to be such a choice.

Proposed Harmonized Sales Tax Will Fuel Economy
http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1769127
The Orillia Packet & Times | Posted By FRED LARSEN

The rationale behind the proposed harmonized sales tax (HST) is that it will help industry and business, thereby improving the job creation picture for Ontario.

The goal of the move is to help Ontario move back into a position of strength, with jobs--well-paying jobs-- being the result. Columnist Andrew Coyne, of Maclean's magazine, notes that the HST is "the single most positive thing the province can do to improve its competitive position" (April 16, 2009). A variety of economists and business people have expressed similar views. Six Canadian provinces have now moved to the blended tax.

That Ontario's Conservatives are opposing the HST has more to do with their calculations of political advantage than with a making Ontario a better place to live.

Conservative Leader Tim Hudak (the one holding the sign reading "Stop the DST") himself has said that Conservatives "understand how that (single sales tax) can help the economy" (March 24, 2009). To Hudak--and perhaps our MPP Garfield Dunlop, as well--helping the economy must take a back seat to political manoeuvring, it seems.

Both Hudak and Dunlop are going around attacking the blended sales tax as a "new tax." In fact, while it does increase taxes on some things--admittedly, some significant things like home heating fuel and ice rentals may see the tax added to their cost--the critics of the tax conveniently neglect to mention the whole picture of the tax changes that are being instituted along with the blended tax.

The overall impact of all of these changes is that the provincial government will take in some $2.3 billion less in taxes--all else being equal. (A very unusual form of "tax grab," I would suggest.) The Liberal government is banking on the HST stimulating Ontario's economy so that eventually that $2.3 billion will be recouped through growth--not through increased taxes.

What other changes are being brought in along with the HST? Ninety-three per cent of Ontarians (all but the very wealthy) will see a permanent tax reduction -- worth $250 per year to the average taxpayer. Low-and middle-income families with children will receive up to $1,100 per year per child through the Ontario Child Benefit. Low-income families will also receive a new sales tax credit, providing $260 per year for each adult and child in low-income families.

The senior homeowners' property tax grant will be increased from $250 to $500 per year. Many seniors will also benefit from the sales tax credit mentioned above. A new, refundable property tax credit will be introduced for low-and middle-income earners. In addition, the services that many seniors depend on will receive more funding.

Farmers will be able to get rebates of the sales tax paid on cars, trucks, computers and freezers. The small business corporate income tax rate will be cut by 18% next year. The Ontario manufacturing and processing corporate income tax rate--which includes businesses like farming--will be cut by 16.7%. In addition, the Liberal government is launching an $8-million-a-year promotion of Ontario foods starting in 2009-10.

Businesses, too, including home builders, will be able to claim rebates for sales tax paid on materials purchased in the course of doing business. These will be savings that should be passed on to consumers. And regarding homes, remember that only "newly-constructed" homes and condos over $400,000 will see an increase in tax charged. Only 7% of Ontario's housing was newly constructed and above that figure last year. A proportional rebate will be given to purchasers of homes between $400,000 and $500,000. It could certainly be argued that the person who can afford a home costing $400,000, $500,000 or $800,000--or up--should be able to also afford the extra tax. Remember, too, that "resale" homes are not subject to the tax at all.

Ninety-seven per cent of Ontarians buy homes either being resold or new homes under $500,000. Ninety-seven per cent of Ontarians will therefore be affected a little or not at all. The effect of all of these changes, along with the implementation of the HST, will be that those with very high incomes will likely end up paying more tax. Those with lower incomes will likely pay less. Those in the middle will probably break about even. If the implementation of the HST leads to a stronger Ontario economy--as most economists think it will-- then we will all benefit. More jobs, more money available for the services that we depend on, better schools, better hospitals, better infrastructure.

Fred Larsen is president of the Simcoe North Provincial Liberal Association.

Article ID# 1769127