Continued from Page A6
ing the system and benefiting the
customers.

While it is true that such meas-
ures can be highly beneficial in
certain types of systems, it is not
valid in the predominantly water
based system we have in B.C.

Thermal systems using coal, oil,
natural gas as their fuel tend to
operate their base load plants on
the cheapest available fuel. How-
ever, since they must meet peaks in
power demand they construct
other plants which are more flexi-
ble and can be turned on and off
quickly, but have higher produc-
tion costs and often must use more
expensive fuels.

For these utilities there is a need
to reduce the peak as much as
possible and convert it to base
load. It is in everyone’s interest to
spend money to get people to shift
their consumption patterns during
the day.

With a hydroelectric system, the
peak and base loads are part and
parcel of the same plant. The fuel
(water) is the same and it is simply
a matter of running more generat-
ors at a given time.

Since the generators are in place
anyway to ensure that all water can
be utilized as stream flows vary
throughout the year there is basi-
cally no difference, beyond some
small transmission savings, in
peak and off-peak power.

In order to achieve these very
minor transmission savings we
would, among other measures,
have to install new meters to
charge different rates — with costs
in the $500 million to $1 billion
range or a 10-20 per cent raise in
general rates.

In other words we would not
achieve any better efficiency in
power use and customer’s rates
would go up substantially. It is a
lose/loss proposition.

CW.J. Boatman

Corporate and Environmental
Affairs

B.C. Hydro

Give support fo
flat rate taxes

Editor:

. lamin receipt of my 1991-1992
property assessment notice. This
year, they assure me that if my
property were placed on the mar-
ket, 1t would be worth 42 per cent
more than it was worth in 1988.

Unfortunately, they do not guar-
antec this value — if they did, I

Clive

TANNER

Liberal Candidate for
Saanich North & The Islands

Be part of the campaign team
that will elect Clive Tanner
to the Provincial Legislature!

656-1687

would feel less unhappy about
borrowing the money to pay my
property tax.

The Assessment Authority
issues a brochure which explain
these periodic assessments are
done tc ensure “That all taxpayers
contribute their fair share to pay
for the services they enjoy.”

What is hard to understand is
why it is FAIR for a taxpayer
assessed an additional $100,000 to
pay twice as much of the increase
in the tax budget as a taxpayer
assessed an additional $50,000.

We all enjoy the benefits pro-
vided by property taxation equally
— why should we not pay for
them in the same way — equally.

This year there is a method of
tax increase which is more bal-
anced than the present medieval.
system. The provincial government
has introduced legislation (Bill 49)
which allows municipal councils
to impose a flat rate tax on resi-
dential property in conjunction
with a tax which is based on the
value of that property.

A FLAT RATE TAX (per Bill
49) is a tax amount, imposed for
general municipal purposes, that is
the same for each property in its

TheReview Wednesday, November 21, 1990 A8

class notwithstanding the assessed
value of the property.

This new legislation will allow
municipal councils — if they so
choose — to begin to level out the
tax burden which has been
unfairly carried by those residents
whose property assessment
increases are far in excess of the
average.

The operating phrase here is —
if they so choose.

In the municipal elections this
fall we will have the opportunity to
ask our candidates whether, if
elected, they will pursue a flat rate
tax policy. It will be interesting to
see what the candidates will say.

R.E. Belfit

Canadian Citizens for Tax

Reform
Victoria

“| swear | will grow stronger
With each new step I take ...”
—from | Will Grow Stronger CHAMP theme song

The War Amps Child Amputee Program celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
The theme song captures the spirit ot CHAMP — a program based on the
tradition of “amputees helping amputees.” Thanks to you, programs like CHAMP
are possible. And what about the tuture? We will sei become the
Canadian Amputees Foundation. Through your support, our work for child ¥
amputees can continue.

The War Amputations of Canada

National Headquarters
2827 Riverside Drive

Ottawa, Ontario K1V 0C4

Charitable Registration Number: 0286831 09

- fittler than an
elephant

but this ad performs before more than
35,000 people. Call Display 656-1151.

|. YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS . . . BUT

_ DO YOU KNOW YOUR WRONGS?

These are the criminal charges you face if you drink and drive in B.C.
¢ Driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in excess of .08%.
¢ Driving While Impaired (even if your BAC is BELOW .08%).

e Failure to Provide a Breath or DRINKING DRIVING
Blood Sample. COUNTERATIACK

Wi,

Now is |
the time to
register. :

Are you ready for the pro- |
posed GST? If not, now is the

time to register and prepare.
Registration applies to anyone |
involved in a commercial enter-

prise. This includes fishing, a
farming, professional services

and many activities carried out |

I’ve

prepared

for the
GST.

Have you?

Sales Tax

Canada’s GST. It’s good business to prepare now.

by non-profit organizations.
Revenue Canada is ready to

assist you with information on:

= How to register and the

benefits of doing so

What the GST means to

your operation

Simplified accounting

options and administrative

procedures

Rebates of the Federal

How to recover GST on
business purchases
GST return and filing options

Contact us today.
Phone:

1 800 561-6990

Telecommunications device
for the hearing impaired:

1800 465-5770

Or drop by the
_ Revenue Canada Excise
Office nearest you,
Monday to Friday,
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Revenu Canada

iw

Douanes et Accise

Revenue Canada
Customs and Excise

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Canada