Some questions for Ontarians

[hermetic]

Just reading in the Toronto Star about the rise in the health care tax: "The additional premiums of up to $900 per person annually will boost the province's take to $2.4 billion in fiscal 2005 as it copes with the soaring costs of running a health system.

For most Ontario families earning between $35,000 and $60,000 a year, the premiums will total an extra $200 to $500, Bruce Winchester, research director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said yesterday."

So that $900 is an ANNUAL amount, i.e., $75 per month? Sort of like health insurance, eh?

Interesting discussion in another thread about mandatory voting. My question is, do you have absentee ballots?

AND, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the tougher standards for the Drive Clean exhaust test. If you fail a first test, do you get a chance to seek repairs and take it again or do you have to pay a fine? How does that work there?

Thanks much :toast:

[miyzelmouse]

1. From an Ontarian

The $900 is an annual amount, yes, for top earners. I'll be glad to pay an extra $500 or so a year if it means we get better health care. After SARS in Toronto, waits for cancer surgery lengthened to at least three months at most hospitals.

I believe we have absentee ballots. We also have early voting for people who cannot vote on the day of the election. I have helped out in elections and can attest to the fact that they're nothing like your election in Ohio.

Not sure about the Drive Clean test. Someone else will have to respond.

Happy New Year, Americans!

[Skarbrowe]

2. I pay 900 bucks a month. Not counting co-pays for doc appts and meds.

AND I have to wait 2 months to see any decent specialist. If we did have a major health scare of some kind here, I'm sure we would also have long waiting lists for major surgery concerns. Unless you're rich, of course. So, let me think which system would give me more peace of mind and wallet.

Skar (USA)

[Telly Savalas]

4. Health care "premium" = regressive tax

I don't mind paying more to improve the quality of health care in the province either. What burns me up though is that instead of repealing Mike Harris's irresponsible tax cuts, the Liberal government insists on these bullshit regressive "premiums." I'm not sure how anyone can get by in Toronto on $20K a year, but Dalton McGuinty seems to think it's cool to slap 'em for another $300 annually. If you were to make 100 times that, however, your "premium" is only 3 times larger. How the fuck is that just?

[croat]

5. Health "Tax"

I'm not upset about paying an extra few hundred dollars towards our provincial healthcare. I AM upset that our premier got elected by promising NOT to raise taxes, but then raised them (i.e. "health tax") the moment he was elected! I am also wholly against the de-listing of eye exams!! That is simply discriminatory and unacceptable! Why is an exam for a common cold covered, but your eye exam is not?? I think at least 1 or 2 exams per annum should be covered! I have a feeling I'm voting for the Green Party next election...

[SidDithers]

3. About drive clean...

After failing your first test, you must try to make the repairs necessary to allow your vehicle to pass a second attempt. However, if you make repairs over the Repair Cost Limit of $450, you will be able earn a conditional pass and license your vehicle, even if your vehicle fails the emissions test. That way, you won't be forced to make huge repairs to get your car on the road again.

We do have absentee, and early, ballotting. But one other thing to consider is how much easier it is for us to vote. The federal and provincial governments maintain a permanent list of electors. Every time we have to do something "official", like license a car or complete our tax returns, we are asked if the government can use our address information to maintain the list of electors. That way, when an election is called, we are mailed voter information cards, informing us of the date of the election, and location of our polling station.

But even if, for some reason, you don't get a voter info card - maybe you've moved recently - you can still vote by showing up at a polling station, showing your ID and a piece of mail with your name and address, and signing a declaration. I was boggled by some of the hoops that American citizens had to jump through in order to vote.

Hope this helps.

Sid

[shrike]

6. That's less than what I pay in the States for health insurance

And the last time I had to see a specialist, the wait was, lessee, three months?