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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 7, 2009 - 5 Halton's MPs' expenses nearly topped $1.5M last year Former Oakville MP Bonnie Brown spent less than her Halton counterparts By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP It cost taxpayers just under $1.5 million to cover the expenses for the four federal members of parliament representing Halton Region during the 2007/2008 fiscal year. The figure, which covers staff, travel and office expenses, actually dropped about $17,000 from the previous year. The decrease is due to Halton Hills MP Michael Chong's drastic $92,000 cut in his expenses from the amount he spent in 2006/2007. However, the title of most 25 Y 2 Y Keep the camera, but please return the pictures 2 YEARS 25 5 YEARS 25 YEAR 25 YEARS 2 YEA 2 2 By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF frugal MP again went to Liberal MP Bonnie Brown, who was defeated in the recent federal election in October after 15 years representing the Oakville area. Brown also had the lowest expenses among Halton Region MPs in 2006/2007. Her total for 2007/08 was $321,765. "I tried to be pretty frugal," said Brown. "I always think there's fat to be trimmed." While much of Brown's expenses were in line with what other MPs paid, the biggest difference was the extremely low amount she paid in printing costs, just $3,700. Her Halton counter- Former Oakville MP Bonnie Brown parts paid anywhere from four to ten times that amount. The printing costs are paid for by the House of Commons to cover up to four newsletters a year to be sent to constituency households, as well as what are called "Ten Percenters" -- printed pages that can be produced often and shipped to a maximum of 10 per cent of the total households in the riding. Brown said she stopped printing up the full quota of newsletters and ten percenters after receiving complaints from members in her riding in her first year about the barrage of printed information. "My constituents are (were) so well informed anyways," Brown said. The cut in Chong's expenses were mostly related to an approximate $50,000 cut in travel expenses and a $40,000 reduction in staff salaries and other expenses. The Conservative member spent approximately $326,000 in 2007/2008, about $5,000 more than Brown. Burlington MP Mike Wallace recorded the highest expenses in 2007/2008 at about $420,000. Former Halton MP Garth Turner, who was also defeated in the last election, spent about $400,000. The expenditures for Canadian MPs were released publicly just prior to the recent proroguing of Parliament. The figures do not include MP salaries or benefits. DOES YOUR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE EXCEED 20% OF YOUR TAXABLE INCOME? IF SO, HAVING A CORPORATE AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX PLAN PREPARED BY THE TAX ADVISORY CAN HELP YOU ATTAIN THIS GOAL. ED FOSTER Some things money just can't buy -- or replace. That's what Oakville native Steve Diamond is saying as he pleads for whoever stole two cameras out of his SUV to return -- not necessarily the cameras, but their contents. Diamond said his Sony high-definition video camera held the irreplaceable recording of his four-month-old son Cooper's birth. It was also a gift from his wife Susan, to himself just a few days before she gave birth. If that weren't enough to stab at his heart, Diamond said the video also held the recording of his 22-month-old daughter, Lindsay's, first steps. The still camera, a Canon SLR, held photos of his two children together. "I couldn't care less about the cameras, but I am never going to be able to recreate these events," said Diamond. "It's a bit, a lot, of sentimental value," admitted Diamond. The cameras were stolen overnight on Sunday, Dec. 28 from Diamond's driveway at Lakeshore Road East and Burgundy Drive. Diamond said he believes his Cadillac Escalade was locked, however, there were no signs of forced entry. The cameras had been in the large console of the SUV. Nothing else was stolen however Diamond said several toonies were stolen from his wife's Cadillac SRX station wagon. Diamond contacted The Oakville Beaver in hopes that he may reach whoever stole his cameras with his plea to return, if not the cameras, then their contents. The long-time Oakville resident said he would ask no questions and even consider a reward. To reach Diamond, call 416-566-9496. VOTED FIRST PL C OND AWARD WIN RS IN THE CATEGOR OF INCORPORATION SERVICES, TAX PRE TION SERVICES AND BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES 6 YEARS IN A ROW! SERVING SM L AND HOME B FOR OVER 25 YEARS 25 25 YEARS 25 YEARS 2 25 YEARS 25 YEARS 25 5 YEARS ARS 2 Why Sho ld I Have x Advisory Pr e My YEARS Income T x Return? 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