TIME TO GET ON MY SOAP BOX!

I have to say that I love working in downtown,  Hamilton.  I also love the Province of Ontario and living in Canada.   However, I’m very frustrated when our governments come up with “action” plans and only have it thrown back into the small business persons face.  I’m not even upset that I didn’t get anything, as I wasn’t really expecting it.   I had applied to the SODP that took about a good week to prepare the 18 page document.   In total there was over 1,800 applications of small businesses and others that had applied for the $40 Million stimulus.   Here we are in February 2010 and I find out that out of the 1,800 recipients only 36 were chosen.  Out of the 36 chosen 3 were either charitable or other government firms.  A total of 24.3 Million alone was given to these firms, out  of a total $40Million.  The balance was to small businesses.  Congrats to them for getting that money and I’m sure they will definitely help the economy with their money.    I want to be clear, that I’m not upset about me not getting the money or the other private businesses.  I’m upset about how much was given to the other government agencies and the charities that DO NOT generate taxes from revenue in this country.

I thought i would share with you a letter that sent out to my MP, MPP, I only wrote this because I care.    See below…

In November,  I prepared a long document and detailed report to the Government for the program they had put together to help stimulate the economy through small business.  I was shocked in finding that out of 1800 applicants that LESS THAN 40 were chosen as the way to help build business and the economy.

The link to the chosen funded applicants are listed at this link:
http://southernontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/00187.html

Here is my frustration.  I don’t have a problem with ANY private business getting the funding they needed.  I absolutely encourage it.  HOWEVER, this was a government stimulus plan for the people that generate revenue and taxes back into our system.   I’m really frustrated that out of the 36 recipients of the SODP program, there are “charitable” and Government programs that received the largest amounts.

What the hell is happening to this country and province.  Private business is closing by the hundreds each day, trying to keep alive in this economy and congrats to the Government for coming up with this plan, however to only to give Millions away to none revenue generating ( and tax collecting) organizations.

• Ducks Unlimited received: $3 Million Dollars.   This is the conservation of of S. Ontario Wetlands.   Don’t they get funding already, and further how is this generating revenue and taxes back into this country?
  

• Juvenile Diabetes Research: $20 Million.   Imagine if you split this $20 Million into $200,000 payments to small businesses.  That would service over 100 small businesses, that could employ staff, purchase equipment and further with the revenue made pay the NEW HST tax coming out and deal with the cost of putting together the Operation manuals of the NEW Bill 168 that comes at a cost to the business man and if we don’t live up to the new Bill 168 small businesses could get fined up to $500,000.  (that’s a separate conversation, and I won’t even get into that)
  

• The City of Brantford: Revitalization of downtown for 1.3Million.   What was that for, taking down the buildings that they are now in a battle with residences to fight for heritage rights.   That’s great use of SODP money used.  There goes another 6 companies (small business) getting $200K to hire probably 3-20 staff.  See the issues rising in the media: http://www.thespec.com/article/718071 and http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2265275
  

I have NO issues with the other private businesses that would be hiring staff and building products, doing research and marketing as well as working to generate revenue (ie taxes) for this province and country.  I would just think that charities and already government bodies that don’t generate revenue would not be involved with this, or at least not to the MILLIONS that they have been given.  It’s obvious that over 1,800 businesses (applications) were submitted there is a HUGE demand for help to try to prepare a stimulus to the economy.  How is it that less than 40 were chosen!

I have attached the well written letter from David Elgie and included him in this email as well.  I have left a message for Kenny as well, but figured he’d be swamped with 1,764 phone calls from the small businesses that were wondering the same thing I’m asking.

I question everyday how long I can stand keeping 13 people employed in this economy when I see our government squander our tax money away.   If you have an application for any government jobs at Ducks Unlimited or the City of Brantford can you send them to me, so I can hand them out to our staff to apply.

I know your all busy right now (MP and MPP) with taking time off in Government office, but when you get back in September let me know if you get the chance to review this.