-WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1 5> 1982, PAGE 7 Report from Queen's Park By The Hon. George Ashe, MPP (PC - Durham West) Ontario Minister of Revenue When the Ontario Legisiature was recalled early on September 21 to deal with our government's in- flation restraint legisiation, Bill 179, it was thought that by meeting a full three, weeks before the regu- larly scheduled fail sitting was due to begin,, there would be time to approve the bill without interfering with ail the other important legisiation awaiting debate. Unfortunately, it bas flot worked out that way. Even though we are indeed sensitive to the need for full discussion on legisiation which breaks new ground, there is no question that the opposition par- ties, ini paticular the third party, have beerk abuing the parliamentary process. By using the rules of procedure which govern the business of the House and its committees for their own ends, they have effectively delayed the passage of the inflation restraint bil into law. They have also thrown the legisiative schedule completely askew so that we have accomplished littie of the other important business that was scheduled for this sitting. I would like to describe the opposition's obstrue- tionist tactics on Bill 179 because I believe you have the right to know how much-valuable time and ob- viously money, your money, has been wasted since the House reconvened in September. Foilowing instructions of the bull by Treasurer Frank Miler on September 21, the House spent more than 46 hours in debate during which the g- position parties carried out a continuos filibustèr. Using their members to talk at length - somùe for two to three hours.at a time - the bill was stalled from the beginning in the first of a long series of delaying tactics. By October 19, the New Democratie Party mem- bers had used almost 30 of the more than 46 hours spent on debate and they were prepared to filibuster indefinitely, so it seemed. By this time, the scheduled opening of the fall sit- ting had come and gone and we stili had not begun to tackle the regular legisiative schedule. In view of the, impasse, the threehouse leaders met and agreed that the bll should be referred to the Stand-, ing Committee on' Justice for clause-by-clause dis-' cussion, provided there were* approximately 33 hours of public hearings first. The public hearing process utilized a further 35 hours. During that time, 75 of the 120 individuals and groups wishing to speak had that opportunity. 0f' thedeputations heard, 80 per cent were either members of the public service locals or teacher federation groups. One after another of these groupe came forward to give the committee essen- tiaily the same information. The NDP members on the committee delayed matters by asking countless predictable and repeti- tive questions which ultimately prevented the committee from hearing other people, some in sup- port of the bll, who also wanted to make their views known. Following the public hearings, the committee was, by agreement, to move into the clause-by- clause discussion stage. However, again opposition blocking tactics were employed. This went on for nearly three weeks during which not one of the bill's 37 clauses were deait with. On November 17, baving no other alternative, the government members on the committee voted in favour of a motion which would terminate the proc- edural wrangle s0 that the committee could finaily go on with the job at band. Another week passed but the delaying tactics per- sisted. Again, having no other alternative, the Con- servative members were forced to propose, and support a motion to terminate the debate and move it back to the House. in this process. 1 feit you should know. >Whltby 'business- people had many posi- tive commenta about a Sinail Business Management Develop- ment Program recently completed in this town by tjuie Ontario Mlnistry of Industry and Trade. "It's the ind of thing that' every business would benefit from - a chance to sit down and' tailk to top professional people who have'expert- ise in certain fields but wil tackleany problem you throw at them, " said one of the partici- pants.- "A small business couldn't afford this kind- 0f consulting help even if they were to go to find it. This prog ram brings the'exporta, to you at ab- solutely no cost and lets you sit down in your own business environment and talk. It's,relaxed, informal and invigorat- ing." Early in the year, 25 local businesses regist- ered for assistance un- der the program. The businesses were given counselling in the areas of finance and market- ing by a flrm of -consult- ants hired by the provin- cial government. A wind-up dinner was held in November by the Whitby Chamber of Commerce' which co- ordinated the prograin. "The business people ~ttYeJdÎ1 a.4 - ,u. in attendance had someý very positive reactions to the service," said Chamber President' Howard Smith. "lMany ideas and sys- tems suggested* were things that businesses are aware of but don't know exactly how to ap- ply to their own particu- lar needs. " "The program rein- forces ail the, right things you have done along the. way and leaves youywlth exciting ANNOUNCEMENTS' RECEPTION CARDS INVITATIONS THANK YOU CARDS ideas for new dirmc tions."1 5 Year Guqrantd Investment Cerdficats Annual Intereat >Rate subject to change TRUST' >Whltby: 308 Dundas St. W. 668-9324 Toronto LUne 683-7189 Momnber Canada Depost Insurance Corporation Pro gram helps small business cope