Toronto, ON (August 30) – Ontario has responded! Hundreds of individual artists, groups and organizations in every province and territory have created and registered free arts and culture activities as part of Culture Days 2010 – the nation’s largest free weekend-long arts and culture celebration.
The inaugural event – taking place September 24 to 26 across the country (under the existing event Journées de la culture in Québec), and on September 17 to 19 in Alberta (under the existing event Alberta Arts Days) – will see creators in more than 500 cities and towns open their doors to Canadians and offer a range of family-friendly activities including hands-on classes, indoor and outdoor excursions, seminars and panels and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Some of the activities planned for Ontario include:
· Sing with KW Glee in Waterloo, where the public are invited to meet its members and learn how to recreate the pop choir sound
· Imagined Spaces: Scenic Design at the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa, where the public will discover the artifacts from the NAC's archival collection of imagined theatrical spaces brought to life through the artistry of top Canadian and international scenographic designers.
· Learn to Make a Stop-Motion Movie in Scarborough, a one-hour workshop where participants will learn how to develop a storyline, capture a photo sequence, select and add audio to images, record a voice-over as well as design credits
Activities are designed to inspire greater participation in arts and culture and are available in a range of disciplines including:
Heritage: venue tours, costumed tours, lectures and demos including how to march like RCMP
Music: sing-alongs, participatory concerts, instrument petting zoos, symphonies, operas and workshops
Dance: Korean, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Indigenous, Flamenco and Argentine Tango lessons
Visual arts: stone and wood sculpting, rug hooking, exhibits, painting and pottery classes
Film or video: interactive documentary screenings, TV network open houses and film festivals
Theatre: playwright readings, open rehearsals, combat workshops, demos and backstage tours
Architecture, design, literary, new media and more!
Culture Days represents Canada’s largest arts and culture public participation campaign. The celebration has resonated with rural and urban communities alike reaching milestone activity numbers in just four months since its launch in April with 2000 events hosted in Quebec, 700 in Ontario, 200 in Alberta and 115 in Manitoba to name a few. Culture Days activities range in both existing and new events that have pooled together to join the national movement.
With four weeks left before the national rollout, Culture Days shows no signs of slowing down. The program is seeing an average 20 per cent increase in activity registrations week-over-week. Canadians can stay on top of what activities are being added by searching for events in their area online.
Visit culturedays.ca, follow us on twitter.com/culturedays or find us on Facebook.
About Culture Days
Culture Days (culturedays.ca) is a collaborative pan-Canadian volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. Culture Days was initiated by four Founding Partners: The Canadian Arts Summit, Culture pour tous (producer of les Journées de la culture), Canada Council for the Arts and The Banff Centre. National partners supporting the development of Culture Days include Founding Presenting Partner Sun Life Financial, Power Corporation of Canada and The Government of Alberta. Media partners include The Globe and Mail, St. Joseph Communications and CBC. Provincial partners include Government of Alberta, SaskCulture, Manitoba Homecoming, Government of Manitoba, Ontario Arts Council, Government of Prince Edward Island, Government of New Brunswick, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Government of Northwest Territories. Culture Days was inspired by Journées de la culture, produced by Culture pour tous in Québec since 1997.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
RUN OR WALK TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND OPERATION HERO!
Canadian Home Builders Association – Simcoe County in partnership with the Barrie Construction Association are coordinating their efforts to raise funds for Operation Hero by organizing a Base Borden Run in Support of Operation Hero.
The 5k and 20k marathon run is to take place at Base Borden on Saturday, October 16th. For experienced “marathoners”, the “chip” technology will be available – whether walking or running. It will be a fun-filled day with beautiful scenery and groomed courses.
This is an opportunity to say Thank You to those who serve and to build bridges between the community, Georgian College and CFB Borden, by providing scholarship funding to Canadian Military Families.
The cost of the run is $35 per participant, and sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels. Registration and information is available on-line at www.operationhero.ca.
Media is invited to contact the Base Borden Run Chairpersons at which time interviews and photographs can be coordinated.
Operation Hero assists in education funding for families and dependents of our troops. This will be fully invested by Georgian College to provide scholarships for family members of Canadian Forces Personnel.
The 5k and 20k marathon run is to take place at Base Borden on Saturday, October 16th. For experienced “marathoners”, the “chip” technology will be available – whether walking or running. It will be a fun-filled day with beautiful scenery and groomed courses.
This is an opportunity to say Thank You to those who serve and to build bridges between the community, Georgian College and CFB Borden, by providing scholarship funding to Canadian Military Families.
The cost of the run is $35 per participant, and sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels. Registration and information is available on-line at www.operationhero.ca.
Media is invited to contact the Base Borden Run Chairpersons at which time interviews and photographs can be coordinated.
Operation Hero assists in education funding for families and dependents of our troops. This will be fully invested by Georgian College to provide scholarships for family members of Canadian Forces Personnel.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
County Forests Attain Forest Stewardship Council Certification
Midhurst/ August 11, 2010 – The County of Simcoe has attained Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, recognizing that the management of Ontario’s largest municipally-owned forest system meets the highest international standard.
FSC certification acknowledges conscientious land stewardship through the independent evaluation of forestry practices around the world.
“On behalf of Council, I congratulate our Forestry staff on this significant achievement,” stated County Warden Cal Patterson. “By attaining FSC Certification we are confirming to the public that our forest management practices achieve the highest possible standard and we are ensuring that the County will have continued access to all available markets for timber sales.”
Forestry staff initiated the certification process in April, 2010. The extensive review included three days of field audits, consultations with stakeholders and a public open house. The assessment report presents findings of an independent team of specialists representing the SmartWood Program of the Rainforest Alliance. Results confirm that the ecological, economic and social performance of the County’s forest management system meet the rigorous criteria established by the Forest Stewardship Council.
During the past six months, auditors interviewed staff, forest users, provincial government representatives,loggers, environmentalists and foresters. They also visited over 25 different forest tracts.
“Simcoe County has recognized the importance of healthy woodlands for decades and is regarded as a leader in municipal forestry,” stated County Forester Graeme Davis. “We are proud of our achievements and FSC certification is confirmation that we are doing a good job.”
Most of which were once considered ‘wastelands’, Simcoe County Forests today span over 30,000 acres with tracts ranging in size from seven to 3,500 acres. They provide a multitude of benefits including protection of wildlife habitat and water resources, public education and recreation, scientific research and revenue from timber sales.
In order to maintain forest health, improve timber values and achieve other objectives for the County Forests, approximately 1200 to 1500 acres are thinned annually. Each forest area identified in the operating plan is assessed by Forestry staff and treated according to good forestry practices. Timber identified for removal is sold to the highest bidder, resulting in revenues which are reinvested in forestry operations and the acquisition of additional forest lands. Further, much of the timber is processed locally which contributes to the local economy.
FSC acknowledges good forest managers around the world and has grown to include over 35 million hectares worldwide. Certification allows the County to use the FSC logo, an internationally recognized symbol that identifies the highest environmental and social standards for forest management. The County’s FSC License Code is FSC-C013174.
The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
FSC certification acknowledges conscientious land stewardship through the independent evaluation of forestry practices around the world.
“On behalf of Council, I congratulate our Forestry staff on this significant achievement,” stated County Warden Cal Patterson. “By attaining FSC Certification we are confirming to the public that our forest management practices achieve the highest possible standard and we are ensuring that the County will have continued access to all available markets for timber sales.”
Forestry staff initiated the certification process in April, 2010. The extensive review included three days of field audits, consultations with stakeholders and a public open house. The assessment report presents findings of an independent team of specialists representing the SmartWood Program of the Rainforest Alliance. Results confirm that the ecological, economic and social performance of the County’s forest management system meet the rigorous criteria established by the Forest Stewardship Council.
During the past six months, auditors interviewed staff, forest users, provincial government representatives,loggers, environmentalists and foresters. They also visited over 25 different forest tracts.
“Simcoe County has recognized the importance of healthy woodlands for decades and is regarded as a leader in municipal forestry,” stated County Forester Graeme Davis. “We are proud of our achievements and FSC certification is confirmation that we are doing a good job.”
Most of which were once considered ‘wastelands’, Simcoe County Forests today span over 30,000 acres with tracts ranging in size from seven to 3,500 acres. They provide a multitude of benefits including protection of wildlife habitat and water resources, public education and recreation, scientific research and revenue from timber sales.
In order to maintain forest health, improve timber values and achieve other objectives for the County Forests, approximately 1200 to 1500 acres are thinned annually. Each forest area identified in the operating plan is assessed by Forestry staff and treated according to good forestry practices. Timber identified for removal is sold to the highest bidder, resulting in revenues which are reinvested in forestry operations and the acquisition of additional forest lands. Further, much of the timber is processed locally which contributes to the local economy.
FSC acknowledges good forest managers around the world and has grown to include over 35 million hectares worldwide. Certification allows the County to use the FSC logo, an internationally recognized symbol that identifies the highest environmental and social standards for forest management. The County’s FSC License Code is FSC-C013174.
The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
Friday, August 6, 2010
From a matchstick house to Buckingham Palace...
Rare dollhouse collection auction to benefit Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Toronto, Ontario (August 5, 2010) – The public is invited to view and bid on fabulous model dollhouses from a world class collection at Bertie Hall in Fort Erie on Saturday, August 14 at 10 a.m. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and other charities.
More than 100 rare, scale model dollhouses and miniature rooms built from 1780 to 1980, with completely furnished and opulently decorated interiors will be on display. The intricate dollhouses range from a Buckingham Palace replica and matchstick house made by convicts, to a French 10th C. architectural form Bird Case of wire with stained glass windows.
Previews of the collection begin on Friday, August 13 from 2 p.m. to 8p.m., and on Saturday, August 14 at 8:30 a.m. Collectors unable to attend the live auction can bid on the top 50 pieces on www.liveauctioneers.com on August 14.
The owner of the collection, the late Mrs. Mildred Mahoney, generously requested in her will that the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation receive a significant portion of the proceeds of the auction.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. Each week in Canada, two children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and someone dies from the disease.
“We are so very grateful to the late Mrs. Mahoney, and the Mildred M. Mahoney Foundation, for contributing to the fight against cystic fibrosis,” said Cathleen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “The money raised will support important CF research and care, dedicated to helping young Canadians with cystic fibrosis live longer, healthier lives.”
Mrs. Mildred Mahoney began collecting dollhouses in 1950, scouring North America and Europe in search of these rare models. When her collection outgrew her home, she moved it into the historic 1835 Bertie Hall. Mrs. Mahoney passed away in 1990 at the age of 72.
Dollhouse enthusiasts are encouraged to come to this special, once-in-a-lifetime auction and take a piece of history home. Members of the public who do not wish to bid on the dollhouses can view these intricate pieces of art – everyone is welcome!
For more information about the auction and to see pictures of the dollhouses, visit www.platoauctions.com. To learn more about cystic fibrosis, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca.
About the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a Canada-wide health charity, with 50 volunteer chapters, that funds CF research and care. In 2010, the Foundation is supporting more than 50 research projects which are exploring all aspects of the CF puzzle; from investigating new methods of fighting infection and inflammation in the lungs to finding new therapies that target the basic defect at the cellular level.
Toronto, Ontario (August 5, 2010) – The public is invited to view and bid on fabulous model dollhouses from a world class collection at Bertie Hall in Fort Erie on Saturday, August 14 at 10 a.m. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and other charities.
More than 100 rare, scale model dollhouses and miniature rooms built from 1780 to 1980, with completely furnished and opulently decorated interiors will be on display. The intricate dollhouses range from a Buckingham Palace replica and matchstick house made by convicts, to a French 10th C. architectural form Bird Case of wire with stained glass windows.
Previews of the collection begin on Friday, August 13 from 2 p.m. to 8p.m., and on Saturday, August 14 at 8:30 a.m. Collectors unable to attend the live auction can bid on the top 50 pieces on www.liveauctioneers.com on August 14.
The owner of the collection, the late Mrs. Mildred Mahoney, generously requested in her will that the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation receive a significant portion of the proceeds of the auction.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. There is no cure. Each week in Canada, two children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and someone dies from the disease.
“We are so very grateful to the late Mrs. Mahoney, and the Mildred M. Mahoney Foundation, for contributing to the fight against cystic fibrosis,” said Cathleen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “The money raised will support important CF research and care, dedicated to helping young Canadians with cystic fibrosis live longer, healthier lives.”
Mrs. Mildred Mahoney began collecting dollhouses in 1950, scouring North America and Europe in search of these rare models. When her collection outgrew her home, she moved it into the historic 1835 Bertie Hall. Mrs. Mahoney passed away in 1990 at the age of 72.
Dollhouse enthusiasts are encouraged to come to this special, once-in-a-lifetime auction and take a piece of history home. Members of the public who do not wish to bid on the dollhouses can view these intricate pieces of art – everyone is welcome!
For more information about the auction and to see pictures of the dollhouses, visit www.platoauctions.com. To learn more about cystic fibrosis, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca.
About the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a Canada-wide health charity, with 50 volunteer chapters, that funds CF research and care. In 2010, the Foundation is supporting more than 50 research projects which are exploring all aspects of the CF puzzle; from investigating new methods of fighting infection and inflammation in the lungs to finding new therapies that target the basic defect at the cellular level.
Friday, July 30, 2010
‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’Awareness Campaign
Overview
PowerStream’s distribution rates, the portion of the electricity bill that is related to PowerStream and which represents only 21% of the total charges found on the bill, are amongst the lowest in Ontario. Over the past three years, PowerStream has been able to lower distribution rates for its York Region customers by 5% and, since its merger with Barrie Hydro on January 1, 2009, lower distribution rates for customers in Barrie and Simcoe County by 14%. However, there are several factors beyond PowerStream’s control, occurring almost simultaneously, which are expected to increase total bill amounts for customers going forward, especially during the summer period.
The factors that are expected to impact all electricity customer bills in the province and how they specifically relate to PowerStream customers are:
• On May 1, 2010, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) increased electricity prices for all Ontario residential and small business customers on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP). Coupled with the seasonal change in the pricing structure, this increase will add 6% to PowerStream bills.
• The recently implemented Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will add another 8% to all customer utility bills across the province.
• A small ‘Regulatory’ charge that has been added as required by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI) to cover the cost of provincial conservation initiatives.
• Increases in water and wastewater rates charged by municipalities (where applicable, e.g. Barrie, Markham, Vaughan and Bradford West Gwillimbury) and collected by PowerStream on their behalf.
• A projected hotter than average summer.
What are distribution rates (charges)?
Distribution rates (charges) are the only portion of customer bills PowerStream, as a local electricity distribution company, has control over. Embedded in the “Delivery” line of the bill along with Hydro One transmission charges, distribution rates cover the costs for PowerStream to deliver electricity to homes and businesses in its service territory. It includes administrative costs (meter reading, billing, customer service, maintenance of accounts) as well as costs to build and maintain infrastructure (wires, hydro poles, transformers, etc.).
The RPP and why the OEB increased electricity prices?
Both tiered and time-of-use (TOU) prices form part of the OEB’s Regulated Price Plan (RPP). The RPP is designed to ensure the price that residential and small business RPP customers pay for electricity recovers the payments made to generators that supply the electricity customers consume. RPP prices are set by the OEB to recover the total cost of that supply, regardless of which price structure (tiered or time-of-use) is used to bill for the electricity consumed by customers. RPP prices, reviewed and set semi-annually by the OEB, are reflected on the “Electricity” line of all residential and small business RPP customer bills in Ontario, representing about half of the total bill.
Customers who buy their electricity from a retailer pay the commodity price set out in their contracts and are not affected by changes in RPP prices. Retail contract customers have a separate line item on their bills listed as the “Provincial Benefit” (or “Global Adjustment”), while customers of PowerStream and other local electricity distribution companies in the province have the Provincial Benefit already factored in the RPP prices. The Provincial Benefit accounts for the difference between the market price of electricity and rates paid to regulated and contracted generators. On May 1, 2010, the OEB increased electricity prices for all RPP customers in the province as follows:
Tiered Pricing- 6.5 cents per kWh up to and including 600 kWh each month (750 kWh for small business customers) from 5.8 cents per kWh.
- 7.5 cents per kWh from 6.7 cents per kWh for monthly consumption above 600 kWh (750 kWh for small business customers) TOU Pricing
- Off-peak price to 5.3 cent per kWh from 4.4 cents per kWh
- Mid-peak price to 8.0 cents per kWh from 8.0 cents per kWh (no change)
- On-peak price to 9.9 cents per kWh from 9.3 cents per kWh
Primary factors contributing to the overall increase in RPP prices included:• Payments going to renewable generation projects, gas plants, as well as conservation and demand management (CDM) programs;
• New contracts for existing generation, including support payments for fossil fuel plants and for existing generation; more
• Recovery of the RPP variance account managed by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), which tracks the difference between what RPP customers have paid versus what has been paid to generators that supply their electricity as well as the costs associated with certain CDM programs.
What impact will the HST have on electricity bills?
On July 1, 2010, the Ontario Government implemented a change to the Provincial tax system with the HST replacing the Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Tax (PST). This will have an impact on the bills of all electricity customers in Ontario.
Prior to July 1, PowerStream customers, along with all other electricity customers in the Province, were only charged 5% GST on their electricity consumption in accordance with the previous tax regulations and were exempt from paying the 8% PST. Now electricity customers will no longer have to pay the GST but will be charged the 13% HST in line with the Province of Ontario’s new tax system.
Details and information explaining the rationale for the HST is available on the Ontario Ministry of Revenue's website at www.ontario.ca/taxchange or by calling the government’s hotline at 1-800-337-7222.
What is the charge being added to bills as required by the MEI?
A small increase in “Regulatory” charges was added recently to the bills of all electricity customers in Ontario, as required by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI)I, to recover the costs relating to two MEI conservation programs – the Home Energy Savings Program and Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Initiative.
For residential customers, this charge amounts to approximately $4 per year or 33 cents per month. For small business customers, the estimated costs are approximately $400 per year or $33 per month.
Will we have a hot summer?
As late as June 21, 2010, Environment Canada’s senior climatologist David Phillips stated that the forecast for summer 2010 was for it to be “hot and dry”.
“The latest models indicate this will be a summer for wheat farmers, swimming in the lake and having a beer on the backyard patio,” Phillips said.
What is the ‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’ awareness campaign?
PowerStream is rolling out the ‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’ awareness campaign across its service territory in an effort to achieve the following objectives:
• Inform customers early enough in the summer of the changes to their bills so that they can adjust their consumption patterns and behaviours accordingly.
• Provide customers with information on how they can better manage their electricity costs over the summer months.
• Ensure that customers are made aware of the various factors contributing to the increases on their bills.
• Educate customers as to what they are paying for on their bills, including distribution rates and how PowerStream’s are amongst the lowest in Ontario.
The campaign includes the use of television, radio and newspaper advertising, a media tour, news releases, email blasts, bills and bill envelopes messaging, internet as well as several other communications strategies to deliver the campaign’s key messages to PowerStream’s customers.
PowerStream’s distribution rates, the portion of the electricity bill that is related to PowerStream and which represents only 21% of the total charges found on the bill, are amongst the lowest in Ontario. Over the past three years, PowerStream has been able to lower distribution rates for its York Region customers by 5% and, since its merger with Barrie Hydro on January 1, 2009, lower distribution rates for customers in Barrie and Simcoe County by 14%. However, there are several factors beyond PowerStream’s control, occurring almost simultaneously, which are expected to increase total bill amounts for customers going forward, especially during the summer period.
The factors that are expected to impact all electricity customer bills in the province and how they specifically relate to PowerStream customers are:
• On May 1, 2010, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) increased electricity prices for all Ontario residential and small business customers on the Regulated Price Plan (RPP). Coupled with the seasonal change in the pricing structure, this increase will add 6% to PowerStream bills.
• The recently implemented Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will add another 8% to all customer utility bills across the province.
• A small ‘Regulatory’ charge that has been added as required by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI) to cover the cost of provincial conservation initiatives.
• Increases in water and wastewater rates charged by municipalities (where applicable, e.g. Barrie, Markham, Vaughan and Bradford West Gwillimbury) and collected by PowerStream on their behalf.
• A projected hotter than average summer.
What are distribution rates (charges)?
Distribution rates (charges) are the only portion of customer bills PowerStream, as a local electricity distribution company, has control over. Embedded in the “Delivery” line of the bill along with Hydro One transmission charges, distribution rates cover the costs for PowerStream to deliver electricity to homes and businesses in its service territory. It includes administrative costs (meter reading, billing, customer service, maintenance of accounts) as well as costs to build and maintain infrastructure (wires, hydro poles, transformers, etc.).
The RPP and why the OEB increased electricity prices?
Both tiered and time-of-use (TOU) prices form part of the OEB’s Regulated Price Plan (RPP). The RPP is designed to ensure the price that residential and small business RPP customers pay for electricity recovers the payments made to generators that supply the electricity customers consume. RPP prices are set by the OEB to recover the total cost of that supply, regardless of which price structure (tiered or time-of-use) is used to bill for the electricity consumed by customers. RPP prices, reviewed and set semi-annually by the OEB, are reflected on the “Electricity” line of all residential and small business RPP customer bills in Ontario, representing about half of the total bill.
Customers who buy their electricity from a retailer pay the commodity price set out in their contracts and are not affected by changes in RPP prices. Retail contract customers have a separate line item on their bills listed as the “Provincial Benefit” (or “Global Adjustment”), while customers of PowerStream and other local electricity distribution companies in the province have the Provincial Benefit already factored in the RPP prices. The Provincial Benefit accounts for the difference between the market price of electricity and rates paid to regulated and contracted generators. On May 1, 2010, the OEB increased electricity prices for all RPP customers in the province as follows:
Tiered Pricing- 6.5 cents per kWh up to and including 600 kWh each month (750 kWh for small business customers) from 5.8 cents per kWh.
- 7.5 cents per kWh from 6.7 cents per kWh for monthly consumption above 600 kWh (750 kWh for small business customers) TOU Pricing
- Off-peak price to 5.3 cent per kWh from 4.4 cents per kWh
- Mid-peak price to 8.0 cents per kWh from 8.0 cents per kWh (no change)
- On-peak price to 9.9 cents per kWh from 9.3 cents per kWh
Primary factors contributing to the overall increase in RPP prices included:• Payments going to renewable generation projects, gas plants, as well as conservation and demand management (CDM) programs;
• New contracts for existing generation, including support payments for fossil fuel plants and for existing generation; more
• Recovery of the RPP variance account managed by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), which tracks the difference between what RPP customers have paid versus what has been paid to generators that supply their electricity as well as the costs associated with certain CDM programs.
What impact will the HST have on electricity bills?
On July 1, 2010, the Ontario Government implemented a change to the Provincial tax system with the HST replacing the Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Tax (PST). This will have an impact on the bills of all electricity customers in Ontario.
Prior to July 1, PowerStream customers, along with all other electricity customers in the Province, were only charged 5% GST on their electricity consumption in accordance with the previous tax regulations and were exempt from paying the 8% PST. Now electricity customers will no longer have to pay the GST but will be charged the 13% HST in line with the Province of Ontario’s new tax system.
Details and information explaining the rationale for the HST is available on the Ontario Ministry of Revenue's website at www.ontario.ca/taxchange or by calling the government’s hotline at 1-800-337-7222.
What is the charge being added to bills as required by the MEI?
A small increase in “Regulatory” charges was added recently to the bills of all electricity customers in Ontario, as required by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI)I, to recover the costs relating to two MEI conservation programs – the Home Energy Savings Program and Ontario Solar Thermal Heating Initiative.
For residential customers, this charge amounts to approximately $4 per year or 33 cents per month. For small business customers, the estimated costs are approximately $400 per year or $33 per month.
Will we have a hot summer?
As late as June 21, 2010, Environment Canada’s senior climatologist David Phillips stated that the forecast for summer 2010 was for it to be “hot and dry”.
“The latest models indicate this will be a summer for wheat farmers, swimming in the lake and having a beer on the backyard patio,” Phillips said.
What is the ‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’ awareness campaign?
PowerStream is rolling out the ‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’ awareness campaign across its service territory in an effort to achieve the following objectives:
• Inform customers early enough in the summer of the changes to their bills so that they can adjust their consumption patterns and behaviours accordingly.
• Provide customers with information on how they can better manage their electricity costs over the summer months.
• Ensure that customers are made aware of the various factors contributing to the increases on their bills.
• Educate customers as to what they are paying for on their bills, including distribution rates and how PowerStream’s are amongst the lowest in Ontario.
The campaign includes the use of television, radio and newspaper advertising, a media tour, news releases, email blasts, bills and bill envelopes messaging, internet as well as several other communications strategies to deliver the campaign’s key messages to PowerStream’s customers.
The Government of Canada supports accessibility for all Canadians
Canada’s Economic Action Plan improves access to facilities, activities and services
BARRIE, ONTARIO)— Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today invited organizations to apply for grants of up to $75,000 for projects that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities that will enable them to participate fully in their communities.
“Our government supports Canadians with disabilities and their families. Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, we are improving access to facilities, activities and services,” said MP Brown. “Year Two of Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the success of this program by increasing investments that remove barriers for Canadians with disabilities.”
Organizations can submit proposals until September 10, 2010, under the Fund’s Small Projects component. Small projects may include renovation, construction and retrofitting of buildings, modification of vehicles for community use, or enhancements to make information and communication technologies more accessible.
The Enabling Accessibility Fund was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 300 organizations have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in their communities.
The Government of Canada makes a number of investments annually to help address the needs of people with disabilities through such programs as the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, the Disability component of the Canada Pension Plan, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, and post-secondary education assistance measures for students with disabilities.
Canada’s Jobs and Growth Budget has a number of additional measures to support people with disabilities, including enhancing the Registered Disability Savings Plan to provide Canadians with disabilities and their families with more flexibility when saving for the future, and providing $5 million annually for five years to the Canadian Paralympic Committee to build on the successes of our Paralympians and continue to encourage persons with disabilities to actively participate in sport.
To find out how to apply for funding or for further information about the Fund, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability or call 1-866-268-2502.
BARRIE, ONTARIO)— Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today invited organizations to apply for grants of up to $75,000 for projects that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities that will enable them to participate fully in their communities.
“Our government supports Canadians with disabilities and their families. Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, we are improving access to facilities, activities and services,” said MP Brown. “Year Two of Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the success of this program by increasing investments that remove barriers for Canadians with disabilities.”
Organizations can submit proposals until September 10, 2010, under the Fund’s Small Projects component. Small projects may include renovation, construction and retrofitting of buildings, modification of vehicles for community use, or enhancements to make information and communication technologies more accessible.
The Enabling Accessibility Fund was originally announced in 2007 as a three-year, $45-million program to support community-based projects across Canada. Since the first call for proposals in 2008, over 300 organizations have been awarded funding to improve accessibility in their communities.
The Government of Canada makes a number of investments annually to help address the needs of people with disabilities through such programs as the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program, the Disability component of the Canada Pension Plan, the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, and post-secondary education assistance measures for students with disabilities.
Canada’s Jobs and Growth Budget has a number of additional measures to support people with disabilities, including enhancing the Registered Disability Savings Plan to provide Canadians with disabilities and their families with more flexibility when saving for the future, and providing $5 million annually for five years to the Canadian Paralympic Committee to build on the successes of our Paralympians and continue to encourage persons with disabilities to actively participate in sport.
To find out how to apply for funding or for further information about the Fund, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca/disability or call 1-866-268-2502.
Shawn Bubel running for Deputy Mayor of Essa
Shawn Bubel (pronounced Bew-bell) is a lifelong resident of Simcoe County and long-time resident of Essa. Bubel lives in Ward 2 with his wife and six year old daughter.
Bubel has years of work experience in government operations, commercial real estate and as a small business owner. He is currently special assistant to Patrick Brown, the Member of Parliament for Barrie.
Shawn is troubled by the number of acclamations in recent Essa elections but does not think it means people don’t care. “Basically, it’s been seven years since the people of Essa have had any say in who represents them. There are great people living in Essa. We are people who care about our community, we care about our environment and we care about our future. If voters are given the choice of moving in a new direction or simply settling for more of the same, I think they will respond optimistically”. – Shawn Bubel
Bubel believes he can make a difference for the residents of Essa as their Deputy Mayor and he is launching a positive campaign focused on transparency, better communication with residents and improving the way of life for his neighbours.
“Over the next few months, I look forward to meeting with voters, hearing the issues that matter to them and talking about how we move Essa forward”. – Shawn Bubel
Bubel encourages people to visit his website and have their say.
Bubel has years of work experience in government operations, commercial real estate and as a small business owner. He is currently special assistant to Patrick Brown, the Member of Parliament for Barrie.
Shawn is troubled by the number of acclamations in recent Essa elections but does not think it means people don’t care. “Basically, it’s been seven years since the people of Essa have had any say in who represents them. There are great people living in Essa. We are people who care about our community, we care about our environment and we care about our future. If voters are given the choice of moving in a new direction or simply settling for more of the same, I think they will respond optimistically”. – Shawn Bubel
Bubel believes he can make a difference for the residents of Essa as their Deputy Mayor and he is launching a positive campaign focused on transparency, better communication with residents and improving the way of life for his neighbours.
“Over the next few months, I look forward to meeting with voters, hearing the issues that matter to them and talking about how we move Essa forward”. – Shawn Bubel
Bubel encourages people to visit his website and have their say.
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