repair

Thursday March 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 2, 2017

Premier Kathleen Wynne to cut hydro rates by 25 per cent

Premier Kathleen Wynne will slash electricity rates by 25 per cent this year, the Star has learned.

In a dramatic move to be finalized at cabinet Wednesday, Wynne’s government is poised to unveil sweeping measures to rein in the soaring hydro bills that currently have the Liberals’ popularity plummeting.

August 17, 2016

Sources say the massive reduction in rates will come mostly by “smoothing out” the financing costs of electricity generation contracts over longer periods.

It’s the equivalent of refinancing a mortgage to enjoy lower payments over a longer time on nuclear reactors, natural gas-fired power plants, and wind turbines.

Wynne’s office refused to confirm details of the 25 per cent solution Tuesday night.

But cabinet ministers are expected to approve the plan during a noon cabinet meeting at Queen’s Park with an announcement coming as early as Thursday.

The 25 per cent reduction includes the 8 per cent rebate of the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax that took effect on Jan. 1.

While the provincial Liberals have not convinced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to eliminate the 5 per cent federal share of the HST on hydro bills, they have found other savings.

“We’re taking it to the next level,” Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault told the legislature during Tuesday’s question period.

“We do recognize the system that we built — eliminating coal, rebuilding the grid — that cost billions of dollars. We know that cost actually came at the expense of many families,” he said. (Source: Toronto Star) 

 

Tuesday June 30, 2015

Tuesday June 30, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday June 30, 2015

Hamilton’s Porch Problem on the Eve of the Pan Am Games

The Johnson family is rather fond of the wooden table set on their east-end front porch — the city, not so much.

Jennifer and Tony arrived to their Chestnut Avenue home last Friday to find a bylaw notice taped to their front door ordering them to remove the furniture, hide their garbage containers and cut their lawn within three days or face a maximum fine of $10,000.

“The way this was done made (us feel) bullied,” said Jennifer, who notes the family would opt for a nicer set if they could afford it. “We sit here all the time.”

The table set hasn’t generated a single bylaw complaint in three years, so why is the city cracking down now?

When they called to complain, the Johnsons said a city staffer told them it wouldn’t look good for the Pan Am Games. But Coun. Matthew Green has apologized to the family, saying the staff member was mistaken and the bylaw blitz is part of the city’s proactive approach to property standards. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

A new city order to fix up crumbling and controversial heritage buildings in Gore Park won’t get action before the Pan Am Games.

The city issued an order earlier this month to repair falling bricks and missing mortar by July 5 at 28 King St. — one in a series of addresses in a historic park frontage that was slated for demolition until council imposed a last-minute heritage designation at the end of 2013.

The ownership consortium for 18-28 King St. has appealed the order to a rarely convened committee that isn’t scheduled to meet until September. Consortium partner Robert Miles confirmed the appeal, but declined to comment further.

The appeal prevents the city from doing the repairs — at the owner’s expense — in advance of the July 10 to 27 Pan Am Games, which feature a major themed party in Gore Park.

“It’s unfortunate nothing can be done because bricks are still falling off and it doesn’t look very good,” said downtown BIA executive director Kathy Drewitt, who added the group sought, but couldn’t come up with cash for artwork to hide the plywood-covered windows overlooking Gore Park’s iconic fountain.

Drewitt said planners for the Pan Am Promenade event in the park will “strategically” park food trucks and first aid tents in front of the buildings. “We can basically hide the bottom section, but if you look up, it’s hard to miss,” she said. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Thursday May 8, 2008

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday May 8, 2008 PM's residence needs $10 million in repairs The prime minister and his family may have to pack up and find a new temporary home if they heed the advice of Canada's auditorÊgeneral.Ê A report released by Sheila Fraser on Tuesday states that "24 Sussex Drive (is) showing signs of fatigue and wear, and (requires)Êextensive repair work."Ê The repairs are estimated to cost about $10 million, and the report notes that "prolonged access to 24 Sussex Drive will be required forÊrehabilitation of the residence." That would require the prime minister and his family to move out for up to 15 months. "We note in the report that there have been no repairs to 24 Sussex in 50 years. I think we can all appreciate in our own homes that youÊhave to do this regular upgrading and maintenance on a very frequent basis," she said.Ê John Williamson of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says he doesn't believe most people will have a problem with making the repairs.ÊBut he said what politicians should be concerned about is going over budget, as has been the case with similar public projects in the past.ÊHe also said the $10 million price tag for repairs may baffle some taxpayers.Ê(Source: CTV News) Letters:Êhttp://mackaycartoons.blogdrive.com/archive/196.html Canada, Ottawa, Prime Minister, Residence, 24 Sussex, renovations, repair, Mike Holmes

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 8, 2008

PM’s residence needs $10 million in repairs

The prime minister and his family may have to pack up and find a new temporary home if they heed the advice of Canada’s auditor general.

A report released by Sheila Fraser on Tuesday states that “24 Sussex Drive (is) showing signs of fatigue and wear, and (requires) extensive repair work.”

The repairs are estimated to cost about $10 million, and the report notes that “prolonged access to 24 Sussex Drive will be required for rehabilitation of the residence.” That would require the prime minister and his family to move out for up to 15 months.

“We note in the report that there have been no repairs to 24 Sussex in 50 years. I think we can all appreciate in our own homes that you have to do this regular upgrading and maintenance on a very frequent basis,” she said.

John Williamson of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says he doesn’t believe most people will have a problem with making the repairs. But he said what politicians should be concerned about is going over budget, as has been the case with similar public projects in the past. He also said the $10 million price tag for repairs may baffle some taxpayers. (Source: CTV News)

 

The Ottawa Citizen

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I enjoyed the Citizen’s editorial cartoon showing Stephen Harper tied up in plastic wrap and Mike Holmes saying that “vapour barrier sheeting helps in the removal of stubborn obstacles.” I believe that it would make great sense to have the popular host of the TV show Holmes on Homes handle the needed renovations at the Prime Minister’s residence, and film the work for his TV show. The house at 24 Sussex Drive is a national heritage building and the Canadians would appreciate a good look at it. I’m sure that a monthly review of the on-going work would be of interest to all Canadians.

Denis Rondeau
Gracefield, Que.