Following a Mrmin- ute discussion on post- secondary education funding Stephenson (MPP York Mills) said in an interview the pro- "Pth You No. " By Mark Weasel Education minister Bette Stephenson will "look very seriously" at a suggestion by university students to levy a direct tax on Ontario industries to help subsidize post-secon- dary education. The suggestion was posed tax "is a matter business have the re made several times I’ll discuss with my sponsibility to provide Friday by students colleagues." But she funds," she said, "but from University of Wa- noted that "the trea- so does every universi- terloo (UW) and Wil- sury department still ty graduate." trid Laurier University makes the final deci- One student told Ste- (WLU) during a meet- sion." phenson the Ontario ing with Stephenson at During an address to government should 'Local firms l win awards! FOR UNIVERSITY FUNDING Ontario considers industry tax The selection committee, comprised of eight individuals from the Kitchener-Wa- terloo area, chose winners based on what employers were doing for the disabled considering the size of each company. All winners and runners on received plaques, and certificates were presented to each company nominated in the contest. Six of the 11 firms nominated by employ- ees for the award are located in Waterloo: Faultless-Doerner Mfg. Inc., Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), Mutual Life of Canada, Ali Baba Steak House, Beaver Foods and the Waterloo Bedding Co. There were two categories of winners in the contest, and Waterloo employers swept the awards in the over-MFemployees cate- gory. Mutual Life of Canada was awarded first place, with WLU named first runner up and Faultless-Doerner taking second run- ner-up spot. In the under-50 employees category, Beaver Foods and the Waterloo Bedding Company were named first runner up and second runner up respectively. Waterloo employers are tops. This was the outcome of the Employers of the Year Award presentation held yester- day at the Conestoga Motor Inn. The contest, which was originally con- ceived of as part of the International Year of the Disabled but will now be an annual event, was sponsored by the K-W Social Planning Council to honor area employers who have done much to help disabled em- ployees. Brian 8. Lee excel in piano exams SEE PAGE . 12 THIS WEEK INSIDE, posed tax "is a matter I’ll discuss with my colleagues." But she noted that "the trea- sury department still makes the final deci- sion." During an address to the students Stephen- son described post-sec- ondary education in the eighties " "a total societal responsibili- ty." "The industry and Wednesday, Mount-v 25, "ttt Ontario's current tax structure is considered fair by most industries. Stephenson said. and an increase would scare new industries away and encourage existing industries to leave. The province is con- (Continued on page 2) Stephenson showed interest in an industrial tax but questioned its fairness. "Various in- dustries benefit dif- ferently." she said, "and I don't see how you can make the tax equitable." Doug Wahlsten. a psychology professor at UW told Stephenson his estimates show in, dustries in Ontario pay about ll per cent of the post-secondary bill while "the students and families pay vastly more." One student told Ste- phenson the Ontario government should consider a surtax on industries to fill the hole left by cuts in the Established Program Fund (EFF) an- nounced in the federal budget. The EPF is a direct federal subsidy to the provinces for post-secondary educa- tion, health care, and medicare. Out of $5.7 billion in EPF cuts over the next five years Ontario will lose about $1.9 billion. The students argued that industries benefit directly from tha annu- al crop of university graduates but pay little for the privilege. business have the re- sponsibility to provide funds," she said, "but so does every universi- ty graduate." Clayt's Naismith SEE PAGE - 25 While Tron-Riviera: Patriotea warm up in the background, University of Waterloo Warrior basketball coach Kate McCrae gives Warriors a final pap-talk before the title game of the Naiamith Clauic Sunday. Actually the MNmonth-old tot is the daughter of UW coaches Don and Judy McCrae and Kate chose a tine time to witness her tint-over game as dad‘s Warriors deteated Patriotea 89-70. What a good luck charm! More on the Naiamith page: 24-26. (Photo try Rick Campbell). GO GET 'Ehllll GUYS «mummy SEE PAGE . ti Bruce plans Waterloo celebration