The Canadian Parvasi - Issue 24

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The International News Weekly REGIONAL December 08, 2017 | Toronto 04 Name power generators who took $260 million in ineligible costs from taxpayers: Opposition The Canadian Press TORONTO: Ontario's opposition parties are calling on the province's Independent Electricity System Operator to release the names of power generators that billed millions in ineligible expenses and for it to recoup all of that money. The IESO said Thursday that rules around commercial sensitivity prevent it from publishing those names, though an executive said they could change those rules. Auditor general Bonnie Lysyk reported Wednesday that nine generators claimed up to $260 million in ineligible costs between 2006 and 2015, including scuba gear and raccoon traps. The IESO puts that number instead at $200 million, and has recovered about $168 million. Both the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP called on them Thursday to get all of the money back for ratepayers. "There's a lot in there that people of Ontario should be concerned about, especially some of these ineligible costs that went through," said Progressive Conservative Todd Smith. "The scuba stuff is ridiculous. The raccoon traps — insane. I mean, these are the types of things that drive people crazy when they're struggling to pay their own hydro bills and they're seeing stuff like this ending up on their electricity bill." The IESO's vice-president of policy, engagement and innovation said all of the more egregious costs have been recovered, but there are some costs that are more in dispute. To get full recovery, the IESO would have had to use litigation, which would bring high costs on its own, said Terry Young. One of the nine generators is Goreway Power Station in Brampton, Ont., which has repaid nearly all of the $100 million it was found to have "gamed" the system out of, but the names of the other eight generators have not been made public. Young said market rules mean the IESO can't disclose information from the nine audits it conducted, including the names of the generators. Goreway is publicly known because the Ontario Energy Board's market surveillance panel investigated and quietly posted a report to its website. Young said, however, that the IESO's board could change the rules that deal with confidentiality. "We could look at changing the rules on our own," he said. "Would we do this? I guess we could look at something like this, but to be honest we haven't gone down that path yet." Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid said he has no problem with those names being published, but it's the IESO's process. Timely payments made must for construction workers in Ontario The Canadian Parvasi TORONTO: With late payments in the construction industry in Ontario, on average, stretching to 71 days, there is good news for construction workers in the province. Queen’s Park has passed a new legislation to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the construction sector. The newly passed Construction Lien Amendment Act 2017, which amends the Construction Lien Act of 1983, will ensure prompt payments construction businesses and workers on time. It also protects workers if contractors file for bankruptcy. Under the new law, there will be more time for contractors and subcontractors to resolve their disputes outside of court by extending timelines to file construction liens and start court actions from 90 days to 150 days. A construction lien is a charge or security on property that can be registered by anyone who has supplied services or materials to improve it. The new law also stipulates that contractors and subcontractors need to make full payment by requiring holdback funds to be paid as soon as the deadline to file a liens passes. A holdback is a requirement that all contractors and subcontractors withhold 10 per cent of the cost of the services or materials supplied on a project. This helps to ensure that there is enough money to satisfy any lien claims that may arise. There is also a provision to protect subcontractors and workers if the general contractor files for bankruptcy. The general contractor will be required to undertake surety bonding on public sector projects above a certain amount. The two other provisions of the law are: • Allowing condominium unit owners to remove liens from their unit in relation to common elements (corridors, lobbies, etc.) • Referring construction lien claims under $25,000 to small claims court. Kathleen to hold town hall in Brampton on Dec 13 Continued from page 01 Former Rogers TV host Nav Nanwa will be the moderator. This is the Premier's second town-hall meeting after the first event in Toronto on Nov 20.The government statement quotes the Premier as saying, “Ontario’s economy is doing well, but we know that those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Too many people are being left behind, and that’s why our plan to create more fairness and opportunity is about making sure that everyone has the chance to share in our province’s prosperity. Nobody knows our province better than our people — and I am looking forward to hearing about the issues that matter most to you, the people of Ontario.” Why you must have winter tires, says CAA THORNHILL: With the winter in full stride, the Canadian Automobile Association South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has advised motorists to install winter tires and prepare for winter driving. “Many people think winter tires are only important when driving in snowy or icy conditions but they also help with handling, manoeuvrability and braking in cold weather,” says Kaitlynn Furse, public relations manager, CAA SCO. “Now is the time to install winter tires, test your battery, service your brakes and ensure all regular car maintenance is up to date. Preparing now means fewer surprises during the winter months.” A recent CAA survey showed that about two-thirds of members in South Central Ontario have purchased winter tires for their vehicles. Close to 90 per cent of Brampton residents to pay 2.7% more property tax Continued from page 01 As for recreation, the city will launch STEM (Engineering and Robotic) recreation programs for children aged 3 to 14, and expand and improve community centres. There is also provision for the city’s Secondary Unit Task Force to focus on illegal second unit housing, lodging houses, and group homes. There will be expansion of library services, with a new BramWest (Embleton) interim location in advance of the combined facility community centre. members who own winter tires, have them installed In passing the budget, the City Council said Brampton would continue focusing on its strategic priorities, including investment of up to $50 million over 10 years for a university and up to $100 million for a joint-use centre for between late October to late November. education, innovation and collaboration, bringing transformative benefits to the entire community. This also includes a reimagined downtown with a new streetscape that will bring pedestrians and cyclists together in a safe and WHY WINTER TIRES • Winter tires help reduce braking distance on cold, wet, ice and snow-covered roads. • Depending on the speed and the weather, the braking distance of winter tires can be up to 25 per cent shorter or two vehicle lengths compared to all-season tires. • Winter tires contain silica, a rubber compound that keeps tires flexible in cold temperatures and ensures excellent grip and braking on wet roads. WINTER CHECKLIST • Test your battery and replace it before it fails. • Have your brakes checked and/or serviced. • Install a set of four matching winter tires for better traction. • Check your lights to ensure they are working properly. • Replace worn or torn windshield wipers. • Pack a winter emergency kit. a sustainable manner. In a press statement, Mayor Linda Jaffrey said, "This budget underlines that City Council is committed to enhancing services that matter to our citizens, such as transit, fire safety and recreation, while also laying the foundation for key strategic initiatives including a new university and enhancing regional transit connections. This budget focuses on improving quality of living and securing a stronger future for our youth.’’
The International News Weekly CANADA December 08, 2017 | Toronto 05 Canada's softwood imports harm our industry: US agency Agencies TORONTO: Canada's softwood lumber industry suffered another blow Thursday when the U.S. International Trade Commission unanimously voted that American producers have been harmed by imports of subsidized Canadian lumber. In a 4-0 vote, the agency sided with the U.S. lumber coalition, which complained that Canadian lumber was subsidized and that it was dumped into the American market at artificially low prices. Most Canadian producers will now pay a combined countervailing and anti-dumping rate of 20.83 per cent, down from 26.75 per cent in the preliminary determinations issued earlier this year. Canadian producers have paid about $500 million in deposits for the duties thus far. The duties have added to the cost of building a home in the United States. Canadian unions and lumber companies fear the issue will eventually cause layoffs. Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr said in Ottawa the duties are unnecessary and are being challenged by the Canadian Ontario crackdown on auto insurance fraud to lower rates Continued from page 01 The plan would also establish a Serious Fraud Office, staffed in part by officers from the Ontario Provincial Police, to tackle abuse in the system. Finance Minister Charles Sousa, who announced the measures with Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, said the cost of auto insurance fraud is estimated to be as high as $1.6 billion a year. By cracking down on abuse, and holding people accountable, the government can achieve a "substantive rate reduction," he said. "Auto insurance fraud has become an industry," Sousa said. "It's time to stop it. If you know someone who has been engaged in this crime let the Serious Fraud Office know. They will pursue and investigate these fraudsters and bring them to justice." Sousa said the new measures will ensure accident victims receive appropriate care and are assessed independently by health professionals with no ties to an insurer. He could not immediately say what the plan will cost taxpayers or if it sets a specific rate reduction target. Sousa also urged insurance firms to take action against fraudsters. "If an insurance company, if the industry is telling us that there's abuse, there's fraud in the system, then stop settling," he said. "Stop settling fraud cases and let's start attacking the fraud and prosecuting the crime." A government-commissioned report earlier this year found that Ontario has the most expensive auto insurance premiums in Canada despite also having one of the lowest levels of accidents and fatalities.The average auto insurance premium in Ontario is $1,458, which is almost 55 per cent higher than the average of all other Canadian jurisdictions, the report found. If Ontario’s premiums were closer to the Canadian average of about $930, it would save Ontario drivers almost 40 per cent — or about $4 billion a year, it said. Tuesday's announcement comes as the Liberal government is still trying to fulfill a promise to reduce rates by 15 per cent on average from 2013 levels — rates have now decreased on average by about eight per cent since then. The government missed its self-imposed deadline of August 2015 to hit that target and Premier Kathleen Wynne has admitted that was a "stretch goal." Insurance company Aviva Canada said if the government implements its new measures, it will help lower rates. The company estimates fraud costs the insurance system $2 billion a year, nearly half a million more than the government estimates, said vice-president Gord Rasbach. "If you address the fraud piece you will make an impact on rates," he said. "Fraud, at the end of the day, someone has to pay for it. It really comes down to people who are milking the system (at the expense) of a lot more people who are paying and are honest." The opposition Progressive Conservatives said the Liberals are only acting on insurance rates now because an election is less than six months away. government. "They're wrong. We have fought them before and we'll continue to defend Canada's interests," Carr said. He added the government is helping the industry by offering a support package, including loan guarantees at commercial rates, and working to expand export markets and transform the industry. He said the efforts should help to reassure the Canadian lumber industry despite the anxiety from duties. West Fraser Timber (TSX:WFT) pays the highest duties at 23.7 per cent. Canfor (TSX:CFP) is next at 22.13, followed by Tolko at 22.07, Resolute Forest Products (TSX:RFP) at 17.9 per cent and J.D. Irving at 9.92 per cent. A Resolute Forest Products spokesman said the U.S. will now hold large industry deposits as "ransom" in hope of pushing the Canadian government to sign a "bad deal." "Sorry U.S., that's not going to happen. Canada is not going to be bullied into submission," Resolute's Seth Kursman said in an interview from Washington, D.C. He added that the financial health of American firms is clear evidence that no injury has been suffered. "The U.S. industry has been crowing about its prosperity for over a year. It is making more money than at any previous time in history." The B.C. Lumber Trade Council said the ruling, while not unexpected, is "completely without merit." Council president Susan Yurkovich said the process is biased in favour of the U.S. industry. "We are confident that this latest decision by the ITC will again be reversed," she said in a news release.
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The Canadian Parvasi - Issue 24

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