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Message from the PRESIDENT

we have made the right decision

david campbell ell, the provincial election is over, and we now why the Liberals in Ontario lost the election. The
resident Whave a new Conservative government with Ford administration has shown so far it will not
a strong mandate to make change and, based on back away fro a fight and certainly see so e
the platform they campaigned on, their goals and sparks ying o er the federal energy progra
objectives are what we in the home improvement
business community are looking for. inimum wage and other enefits
It is good to see the Premier and the The provincial conservatives have given every
government quickly moving forward with some indication that they will not be increasing the
of the changes he campaigned on, but we need to minimum wage to $15.00 per hour in 2019. If they
analy e what benefits these changes are aking to were to consider pegging increases in the minimum
our businesses. wage to the in ation factor on an annual basis, that
would be more manageable and cost effective for
Reduce cost and size of government most employers. As well, rethinking the time off
his was a significant platfor pro ise that requirements for sick days needs to be addressed;
we had wanted; and the government is moving this has the potential for being an abused benefit
forward with it. I am critical of the time and by a small number of employees as well as adding a
" nce they effort taken to reduce the size of significant cost to e ployers benefit progra s
Toronto’s city council and would have
have tackled preferred to see the Conservatives Distribution of new immigrants
Most of our businesses are experiencing
the oronto tackle more of the provincial severe labour shortages, particularity in smaller
ministries such as: Ministry of Training
councillors' issue, College and Universities; Ministry of communities throughout Ontario. From the
Transportation; and other bloated early 20s through to the 50s, it was “suggested”
we trust they will serfdoms that need trimming and that immigrants landing in Ontario move to
start working reduced red tape in obtaining their communities that were experiencing labour
services. Once they have tackled shortages. Cities such as Sault Ste Marie and
on the big the Toronto councillors’ issue, we Sudbury have vibrant and engaged Italian,
challenges within trust they will start working on the Portuguese and other ethnic groups who settled
big challenges within the provincial in these cities. Today, immigrants tend to stay in
the provincial ministries and services. the GTA where their ethnic support network helps
ministries and them integrate into Canadian society; but the
Reduce energy costs government, both provincial and federal working
services." Cancelling the Cap and Trade with employers, should incentivise them to
program will reduce costs of energy consider moving and living in rural and small town
consu ption and be a benefit to our businesses Ontario as they are a viable source of employees.
As well, the rebate on those expensive electric We suggest that the new government prioritize the
and hybrid ehicles only benefited a s all nu ber shortage of labour as it will only get worse and it
of consumers who were in the position of being needs to be addressed.
able to afford these expensive automobiles. The Overall, I think we have made the right decision
average person could not take advantage of buying in changing the government and providing them
them nor were they interested. The challenge will with a strong mandate.
be the federal government and whether they will And, we get “A BUCK A BEER” to boot!
introduce a program that will drive up the cost of
energy. Time will tell... and we hope they recognize

8 LBMAO Reporter - September-October 2018 www.lbmao.on.ca