Cornwall_2012_02_15

Lauzon denies Conservatives planning to cut OAS benefits

HOME GUTTED BY BLAZE

Parliament abandon plans to push back the OAS eligibility age from 65 to 67, or reduce pension benefits, according to the Ontario Federation of Labour. OFL President Sid Ryan said Harper is in for a battle if he decides to cut Old Age Se- curity benefits. “There is no excuse for Prime Minister Harper to cut the meagre incomes of pen- sioners or consign the working poor to two more years of poverty. Nearly every econ- omist and the government's own Parlia- mentary Watch Dog, Kevin Page, are forecasting the long-term sustainability of public pensions,” said Ryan. “If Harper thinks that he can take on re- government attempts OAS cutbacks. “We are bringing our frustrations directly to the office of Guy Lauzon because the people in his community are outraged that his government is betraying his own con- stituents,” said MacDonald. Lauzon said the protest was “sort of in- timidating” for both staff at his office and members of the public. He said he was never contacted by pro- testers to talk about the issue, but said he is willing to address their concerns. Follow @gkielec on Twitter. For breaking news, go to www.editionap.ca and click on The Journal. Email greg.kielec@eap.on.ca and the information available about the dif- ferent waste diversion programs offered. “I would encourage all residents who are contacted to participate in this survey,” said Mayor Bob Kilger. “The results of the sur- vey will help us to measure the effectiveness of our garbage and recycling programs, and it will also assist us in planning for the fu- ture.” Statistics Canada will randomly select members of approximately 830 households in Cornwall to participate in this survey by completing a brief interview. Statistics Canada interviewers will visibly wear an of- ficial identification card bearing their name and photo at all times so that they can be easily recognized by Cornwall residents. tirees and seniors in this country without a fight from the labour movement, he is sorely mistaken.” MacDonald also threatened Lauzon will face a battle in his riding of Stormont-Dun- das-South Glengarry if his

By Greg Kielec

Local MP Guy Lauzon says the Conser- vative government has no plans to change Old Age Security benefits. The MP’s Cornwall constituency office was occupied by about a dozen people protesting rumoured changes to OAS planned by the federal government. The Conservative government has never brought up changes to OAS, Lauzon told The Journal. “There’s no decision that has been taken.” He said the threat of cuts to the benefit was a rumour conjured up by federal op- position parties. “That’s what they do, they come up with things.”

“There’s no decision that has been taken.” Guy Lauzon MP for Stormont-Dundas- South Glengarry

The protesters in Cornwall were among hundreds of other seniors, retirees, work- ers and family members who resorted in 21 Ontario Tory constituency offices, to de- mand that retirees and sen- iors be elevated out of poverty.

“Our government should be supporting retirees and seniors, not greedy corpora- tions,” said Elaine MacDonald, president of the Cornwall and District Labour Council. “(Prime Minister) Harper is spending bil- lions to reduce corporate taxes but he re- fuses to call on these same corporations to invest a fraction of their publicly-subsi- dized savings in pensioners.” “Only a minor increase in Canada Pen- sion Plan contributions would double CPP benefits for all retirees and seniors.” Outraged constituents have resorted to occupying their local constituency offices to demand that Conservative members of Do you recycle your metal and paper? Do you know that Christmas trees, house- hold special waste, and leaf and yard waste can all be recycled in Cornwall? Do you use your Waste Collection Calendar to remind you of pick up dates? Those are some of the questions that Corn- wall residents will be asked as Statistics Canada interviewers conduct a voluntary survey on the City of Cornwall’s garbage and recycling programs from February 15 to 21. Residents aged 18 years and older, of ran- domly selected households, will be asked questions about the city’s recycling program The Journal

City residents to be surveyed on recycling

Photo by Greg Kielec A Cornwall firefighter looks back at other firefighters while working to stifle a fire at 1108 Second Street West on Thursday morning. The blaze gutted the home on the south side of Second Street, west of Brookdale Avenue. Ten firefighters and four vehicles were initially dispatched to the blaze. A further five firefighters were called into assist. The rear of the building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. No one was home at the time of the fire.

AND THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENT AULTSVILLE WINTER FILMFEST February 17-19, 2012

A W F FE

Cornwall’s Independent Film Festival 6 Films • Aultsville Theatre Saturday Evening Reception Sunday Luncheon Filmfest Weekend Passes: $100 Rush tickets $15 at the door Civic Complex Box Office 613-938-9400 www.aultsvilletheatre.com

Made with FlippingBook HTML5