LMT August 20 2018

More documents

Info

4 Last Mountain Times • Monday, Aug 20, 2018 • lmtimes.ca Change Ain’t Easy We need clear eyes and honest words Anyone with a clear view of history in the RM of McKillop knows that for many years things were done that today we recognize have left us with a lot of hard challenges. That’s the main reason I ran for office just two years ago – to find out what was going wrong and help fix it. And several new faces were elected to Council at that time, so a lot of ratepayers also wanted change. Some changes have been exciting. The protection of Fox’s Point as a nature reserve – to be celebrated in a few days – is one of those. Though some critics always oppose every move, this initiative has been broadly supported across the whole RM. It’s a great legacy and an example of how we can come together and create positive change. But, my goodness, two events occurred in August that are very tough, and have to be spoken about honestly. There’s going to be a lot of things said about them, and we need to know the honest facts and see them clearly. In the summer’s budget preparation, Council was surprised to see that Administration had forecast a deficit. Because of municipal laws, we can’t do what the provincial government can do, for example, and spread a one-year deficit over several years. It has to be immediately covered. And so a heartbreaking tax increase is forced for this tax cycle. Those of you at last February’s ratepayers meeting heard me say that I didn’t expect tax increase, because that’s the information myself and Council were provided at that time That kind of thing makes everyone angry, including me. This exposed a problem that Council hadn’t known existed (but sure does now!) – we inherited an archaic and poor system of financial planning. My commitment now is to change that system so that Administration brings to Council its budget forecasts much earlier. We intend to have clearer eyes on what’s ahead and a better ability to adjust. Council is also asking: why have unpaid taxes grown so large over recent years ...to more than $460,000 or about 25% of what the 2017 budget was and equal to 35% of this year’s short fall? A solution to that has to be found. The second event was a big change in our office. Effective last Thursday, August 16, the RM Council terminated the service contract with our current Administrator. Council will now conduct a search to find a replacement. This will likely take some time, so we will be hiring an interim Administrator for the short term. The RM office will be operating with a skeleton staff, but we will continue to respond to emails and phone calls and voice messages. Nothing stirs the emotions like tax issues and personnel matters. As we keep moving forward, the Reeve’s job is to focus on an honest and open discussion of the facts, and present them to our ratepayers without anger or long diatribes. What matters is overcoming issues we’ve inherited (things like finances and personnel) and finding better and more responsive solutions going forward. -Howard Arndt, Reeve of RM 220 McKillop Jobs and careers in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ The fourth industrial revolution will have the greatest impact on routine tasks. A flexible, well-educated and suitably trained workforce will be critical EDITORIALS, LETTERS & OPINIONS Ottawa’s contradictory climate policy just wastes money Billions of dollars in spending announcements allow politicians to burnish their green credentials. But they don’t get the job done “Around the world, businesses, governments and experts agree that carbon pricing is the cheapest and most efficient way to cut carbon pollution,” Catherine McKenna, Canada’s environment and climate change minister, recently tweeted. If what she says is true, it means all other anti-carbon strategies - including regulations and subsidies - are unnecessarily expensive and inefficient. Yet just a few months earlier, when McKenna announced $100 million in green subsidies to Ontario households and businesses, she said that the spending “pays for itself by saving money, reducing carbon pollution and making our homes and businesses more comfortable and affordable.” Has her position changed or does she still believe Ottawa’s subsidy programs and corporate welfare remain an efficient use of tax dollars that will somehow pay for itself? McKenna’s $100 million supported the previous Ontario government’s climate spending program. However, the evidence shows us that the billions the Ontario Liberals had slated for climate spending was a massive waste. A recent essay by University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe estimated that money spent to “improve energy efficiency in multitenant residential buildings” was 29 times more expensive, per tonne of emissions reduced, than cap and trade. And “support to household adoption of low-carbon technology” was about 15 times more expensive. It turns out that just as the budget doesn’t balance itself, the government’s green spending doesn’t pay for itself either. While Conservative Premier Doug Ford is sensibly axing Ontario’s climate-spending fund in an effort to drag public finances back in the right direction, the federal Liberal government is forging ahead with handouts to rent-seekers. In just the past few months, federal taxpayer dollars have been torched on everything from corporate welfare for farms in P.E.I., to enlarging the Alberta Indigenous Solar Program, to homeowners’ windows in New Brunswick, to making Ontario’s post-secondary campuses more energy efficient. Why does the federal government continue to waste billions of dollars of your money this way when - by McKenna’s admission - experts agree that a carbon tax is preferable? The answer lies in what Liberals view to be a problematic feature of a carbon tax as compared to a government command-and-control climate strategy. Economists prefer taxation over subsidies and regulations because a carbon tax, for example pegged at $20 per tonne, gives people incentive to reduce emissions when, and only when, the cost of doing so is below $20 per tonne. This means the private market has the flexibility to find the cheapest ways to reduce emissions, rather than have the government decide. But allowing more flexibility for the private sector isn’t something Liberal politicians can go along with. If households and businesses are allowed to make decisions for themselves, the collective wisdom and brilliance of those politicians goes unused. That’s why a heavy government spend-and-regulate regime is in place. Just as importantly, billions of dollars in spending announcements allow politicians to hold press conferences to burnish their green credentials and repeat tired slogans about how government spending improves both the economy and the environment. Such slogans ignore that the fastest increases in prosperity and cleanliness in human history were supported by private industry, not corporate welfare and green subsidies. The federal Liberals remain big supporters of the carbon tax, of course. But that has nothing to do with taxes being cheaper and more efficient than regulations and subsidies. They just like the carbon tax because it’s a tax. And they will find ways to spend it even if the policy evidence says it’s a costly mistake. -Matthew Lau is a contributing writer to Canadians for Affordable Energy. www.troymedia.com Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer The work world is being transformed by rapidly evolving digital technologies as we march into what many are calling the “fourth industrial revolution.” With disruptive technologies pushing the frontiers of automation, some of the comparative advantages humans traditionally have enjoyed relative to technology are eroding. Computers and learning-based algorithms have progressed beyond replacing repetitive, manual tasks with mechanical execution. Now, recognizing patterns, providing diagnoses and communicating complex information - three activities once seen as within the purview of people - are increasingly performed by computers. Doctors, lawyers, accountants and other skilled professionals may eventually join the ranks of those whose jobs have been displaced or fundamentally altered by automation. What does all of this portend for the future of employment? In the job market, advances in technology are expected to have the greatest impact on tasks that are routine in nature. Such tasks aren’t necessarily mundane but they’re labelled routine because they could be fully automat- CONTINUES on PAGE 6
Missing youths The Punnichy RCMP are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Hayden Joseyounen (b.2004- 05-18) and Jaiven Morin (b.2005-08-12). They were last seen at a residence on the Kawacatoose First Nation on Sunday August 12th, 2018 at approximately 10:00 AM. Hayden Joseyounen is described as a 14 year old First Nations male, approximately 5’10” tall and weighing 140 lbs. He has medium length black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing brown pants and a camouflage t-shirt. Jaiven Morin is described as a 13 year old First Nations male, approximately 4’10” tall and weighing 110 lbs. He has medium lengthy black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and black pants. Recent information indicates they are believed to be in the city of Regina. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either male are asked to contact the Punnichy RCMP at 306-835-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www. saskcrimestoppers.com. Fire near Moosomin On the afternoon of August 15, the Moosomin RCMP and Moosomin fire Department were currently battling a grass fire along the south side of the Trans Canada Highway. Smoke in the area forced the closure of the highway from the Manitoba border to the town of Moosomin. Some structures along the highway were destroyed. As the fire appears to have started in several locations at around the same time, the RCMP is investigating. Onion Lake homicide On Aug 11, 2018, at approximately 7:00 am, members of the Onion Lake RCMP detachment were SPORTS RCMP REPORT Last Mountain Times • Monday, Aug 20, 2018 • lmtimes.ca called to a residence on the Onion Lake Cree Nation in relation to a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, members located Tyson Blair Crosschild (B: 1990-08-09) outside the residence in obvious medical distress. Life-saving efforts were attempted by the responding members and Emergency Medical personnel, however they were not successful and Crosschild was later pronounced deceased at hospital. Dakota Dean Whitstone (B: 1998-07-26) of the Onion Lake Cree Nation has been arrested and charged with second degree murder. Theft of boat motor Greenwater RCMP and Crime Stoppers are seeking assistance from the public in solving a crime which occurred between July 28th and July 29th, 2018 at Greenwater Provincial Park, Saskatchewan. During this time, an unknown person(s) attended the Greenwater Park marina and stole a black Minn Kota trolling motor off a power boat docked in the marina. Anyone with any information on this incident are asked to call the Rose Valley RCMP at 306-322-2550. Stolen vehicles recovered Over the past week, Maidstone RCMP have recovered three stolen vehicles thanks to the public’s help. On August 15, 2018, RCMP received a tip that a stolen Jeep from Lloydminster was travelling down Highway 16. A witness travelling down the highway recognized this Jeep as one placed on social media and reported it to police. RCMP then located the Jeep and two individuals were arrested. One individual was a youth, the other was 18-yearold Jonah Mitsuing of Loon Lake who has been charged with four offences. On August 13th, 2018 a vehicle was reported stolen from Paynton, Sask. It was recovered the same day in North Battleford. And on August 15th, 2018, a vehicle was reported stolen North of Lloydminster. It was recovered the same day south of Lloydminster thanks to the public’s assistance. Both thefts are still under investigation. Canada’s TV sports personalities: who do you like? Choosing your favourite television sports personality is hardly a scientific matter. It’s like asking someone to pick their favourite colour or their favourite brand of vehicle. It comes down to personal preference. You like green? I think blue is better. You’re a GM guy? I’ll take a Ford. Same goes with TV sports personalities. There are dozens to choose from, in a number of categories: Play-by-play; colour commentators; analysts; interviewers; program hosts; anchors. Some are smooth, some aren’t. Some are more professional than others. Some are truly annoying. Some are simply terrible. I say toe-may-to, you say tom-att-o. I say left, you say right. So take the following with a grain of salt but let’s have some fun. Play-by-play — Jim Hughson, CBC’s No. 1 hockey guy. Knowledgable, knows when to shut up, keeps his cool. Runner-up — Dan Shulman, so easy to listen to a ball game with him describing the action. Colour commentator — Russ Howard, explains the strategic nuances of a curling game better than anyone. Runner-up — Kelly Hrudey, enthusiastic, former goalie knows hockey. Analyst — Elliotte Friedmann, the most informative and believable guy on TV. Runner-up — Bob McKenzie, only Friedmann has more hockey scoops. Interviewers — CBC’s Scott Oake, no contest. Treat to watch him get his subjects to open up and divulge the most interesting nuggets; Runner-up — Sara Orlesky, who always asks the right questions of CFL players. Program hosts: Rod Smith, who steers CFL on TSN. Well organized, lets his colleagues do most of the talking. Runner-up — Ron MacLean, who is not the star of Coaches Corner, but so clever with the English language. Anchors — Evanka Osmak of Sportsnet, a great presenter and FROM THE SIDELINES BRUCE PENTON one of the few in her position who doesn’t go overboard with bogus enthusiasm; Runner-up — the duo of Jay Onrait-Dan O’Toole, who combine sports news with entertainment and guffaws. Seven who just missed making the grade: James Duthie, Cassie Campbell, Rod Black, Scott Russell, Gord Miller, Farhan Lalji and Darren Dreger. Four who cause me to change the channel: Kate Beirness of TSN tops this list, followed closely by Don Cherry. Third and fourth are Bob Cole, who is no longer at the top of his game, and Buck Martinez, whose voice is … well, unique and grating. One man’s opinion, but probably not your’s. For all your collision repairs, glass repairs, and replacements, contact – We do Light Mechanical LORNE’S Collision Center Raymore, SK. SGI Accredited. Call Lorne Huber at 306-746-5800 or 306-746-5805 Open Monday thru Friday NEW 306-731-1487 FOR 2018 OFFERING FULL SERVICE AND INSTALL. Water softeners, water purifiers, iron and manganese filters, taste and odor filters, water quality analysis, water, sewer and lift pumps, pressure systems and irrigation systems. Residential or commercial we have water treatment solutions for you! Advanced DENTURE CLINIC Kerry Rodgers, D.D. Denturist Tel: 525-5200 1-888-723-1110 Fax: 525-3271 Email: smile4me@sasktel.net 4306 Dewdney Avenue Regina, SK S4T 1A8 (Dewdney & Lewvan) 5 00074621
Page 1 and 2: TIMES LAST MOUNTAIN $2 .00 tax incl
Page 3: NEWS BRIEFS NDP disappointed in Moe
Page 7 and 8: Last Mountain Times • Monday, Aug
Page 11 and 12: 11 Last Mountain Times • Monday,

LMT August 20 2018

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?