3 Se a ei i Regional District of Kitimat- Stikine, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. outlined the most re- cent concessions in his govern- ment’s Goods and Services Tax. These concessions, however, aren’t good enough for regional district director Les Watmough. | - » Mulroney, he says, is missing. an important point. The bulk-of the Canadian population lives within 100. miles of the _- American border, he points out, ~ and when the GST comes into effect they have only to whip across the border to avoid the _ tax. Northerners, on the other hand, don’t have this advantage, and for that reason Watmough says northerners are going to end up paying the whole shot. In his letter, Mulroney says he. § - has listened to the concerns of Canadians and has dropped the proposed nine percent rate to seven, This, he says, will mean lower inflation and interest rates while still reducing the deficit at the same time. Also, he adds, by replacing the 13.5 percent Manufacturers Tax with the Goods .and Services Tax, _.iCanada will see higher levels of -investment, expanded output axd-consequently more jobs, Also, he points out that those _ making less than $30,000 a year . will.qualify for a tax credit while Private recreation reserves feared in legislation The B.C. Forest Act and fishing and hunting regulations need: some realignment, accor- ding to Kitimat-Stikine Regional . District director Les Watmough. Under one act, companies are - allowed to put a locked gate on § > . “private” roads to keep the general public out. Watmough concedes that this is often > giecéssary to allow the company to protect private equipment and property, but he points out that fishing and hunting regulations | aren’t altered accordingly. .. Watmough says that while ace ..| —- cess is blocked, hunting and fishing is still open to the general public. Accessing this public resource, however, is only open to those who have a key. In ef- fect, says Watmough, the area becomes a private game reserve. The company can invite friends and business associates in while legally rejecting the general ‘public. Watmough maintains, there- | fore, that areas having restricted access to forestry or. mining _ reserves should also have restricted access for fishing and hunting. ‘‘Either everyone should be allowed in,’’ he says, “or it should be closed to everyone,”’ The regional district has pass- -ed Watmough’s concerns on to the Fish and Wildlife Branch. those earning over $62,000 will | pay two percent more. At the same time, the Large Corpora- tions Tax will be increased, he says. An added comfort, accor- ding to Mulroney, is the fact that the GST will not apply to resale housing, basic groceries, medical devices, prescription drugs, residential rents, daycare services and health and dental care. EMPLOYMENT “PLUS pr nrkA ee 7 The reaction of the regional district board, however, is still mixed. ‘“We can’t go across the border,” says: Watmough.. “Ex-. cept to Hyder... and what's in Hyder? We're. really-at a disad- vantage.’’ Director Pete Weeber “points out, though, ‘‘There’s one real nice feature. If you can make less than ‘$30,000 a year . and live on it, you can get a rebate.’ -Taking a more realistic IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER e wanting to hire help now, e able to train on the job; and | « interested in wage assistance during’ while you help someo assisting British Columbia the training period, ASK US ABOUT EMPLOYM _ FOR PROGRAM DETAIL "IT'S GOOD FOR THE EMPLOYER! Receive Half of an Employee's Wage You can help ease your workload, and receive 50% of an employee’s wage, up to $3.50 per hour assistance, when you hire and train someone now receiving income assistance from the Ministry. . of Social Services and Housing. We'll help you, ne develop or update skills on the job. a Se ~ [T’§- GOOD FOR PEOPLE! ~ The Employment Plus group of programs is part of a $28 million continuing commitment from your provincial government to halp income assistance recipients get back into the work force by employers to hire and train. Emptoyment Plus gives people racelving income assistance the opportunity to develop or update skills while training on the job. ENT PLUS! Terrace Review — Wednesday, February 14, 1990 AS5 stnorth — giving money to Star Wars:and - e Director says GST discriminates ag ain _. TERRACE — In a letter to the stand, director - Andy.’ Burton cr a rn) government. “As long we keep . - asking, theyll keep giving and we'll pay,’” says Burton. Even with this idea, though, Watmough disagrees. ““We have a hole in the bucket,” he says. Even if we do ask for less, he claims, the government will keep countries less fortunate than ourselves. ““Who comes first?”’ asks Watmough. And, he adds, taking a realistic stand .of his own, even if we do accept the - seven percent tax and continue to give to those in need, ‘Will -- prices go down when the thirteen and a half percent tax is drop- ped? I would wager they won't.’? > have." “The program is well client they are representing is very acceptable. | am sure that other people would find this as ! Barrett Manufacturing, Kamloops - designed .. . the type of f Larry Barrett EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE SECTOR BUSINESSES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS To Qualify As an employer, you must be able to: a ® create an additional job for 30 to 40 hours per week for a minimum of 2 months; and e pay at least the provincial minimum wage, and ¢ provide a trainee with work experience and job skills. This work experience can be their first step to permanent employ- ment and an independent and secure future. Employment Plus is a major commitment under a federal/ provincial agreement to provide employment opportunities for income assistance recipients. | "(17S GOOD. FOR THE: COMMUNITY! oe S AND APPLICATION FORMS, CONTACT YOUR NEAREST DISTRICT OFFICE. CHECK THE BLUE PAGES OF YOUR PHONE BOOK. (A Province of British Columbia Ministry of Social Services and Housing Honourable Peter A. Dueck, Minister TOGETHER. A BETTER BRITISH COLUMBIA. ee aa "erent erence ne ay r rid nd