PIPELINE: Alberta mayors tout the benefits of Northern Gateway A5 Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Festival of Trees underway at the Prince George Civic Centre B7
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Tax change aids small breweries DELYNDA PILON
newsroom@pgfrepress.com
The fears employees had of getting laid off during the holiday season because Pacific Western Brewery (PWB) moved into a significantly higher tax bracket, creating financial challenges, were allayed after Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Rich Coleman visited the city Monday to announce a new formula instituting incremental mark-up rates instead. Previous to the announcement, as soon as a brewery produced more than 160,000 hL, the tax rate jumped up to the equivalent of a commercial brewery producing 300,000 hL. Last week PWB said it might have to lay off staff and curb production rather than pay the significantly higher rate. A small brewery is put at financial risk when it is marked up to the commercial rate on all volume, Coleman said during Monday’s press conference. He added he’s been working on the new formula for the past few months. “There will be a gradual tax increase in small increments that will not affect the economic viability of the brewery,” Coleman said. “Breweries will know not only where they stand today, but in the future.” The new formula, Coleman said to the employees gathered at the announcement, wouldn’t affect their jobs. He added he expected there would be bumps in the road as the new formula is implemented, however they would be smoothed over so jobs in Prince George would be protected. Coleman said in the past rather than change the formula, which has been in effect since 1988, the threshold was simply raised. Now government, he said, has come up with a long-term solution.
De Ly nd a PILON/ Fre e Pre s s
Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Rich Coleman visited Pacific Western Brewery in Prince George Monday to announce the formula dictating taxation rates for breweries has been changed. Coleman added he visited Prince George to announce the new policy in person to some of the people it meant the most to, rather than simply announcing the change in Vancouver. According to a report written by Tom Fletcher with Black Press, an earlier version of the policy was withdrawn when it was reported the president of PWB donated an auction prize of accommodation in the Carib-
bean to a party fundraiser in Coleman’s constituency, a donation the minister said he returned, adding he should have checked to ensure party donations weren’t solicited from anyone with current business with his ministry. In 2011, PWB donated contributed $24,350 to the Liberal party. turn to PAGE A4
Sensational murder case takes a new turn TERESA MALLAM arts@pgfreepress.com
Life appeared to be turning around for Patrick Michael Kelly. For four years the convicted killer and former RCMP officer, ran a thriving antiques business downtown. He was known as a philanthropist who often donated pieces for charity auctions and fundraisers. Kelly, 62, was also often seen enjoying a night out on the town with a number of different women on his arm.
Kelly had served his time in prison, 23 years, for the first degree murder of his wife Jeanette whom prosecutors said fell to her death after being thrown by Kelly from the 17th floor balcony of the couple’s condo in Toronto. He was found guilty in 1983. However, Kelly has always maintained his innocence, claiming that his wife’s death was an accident. Kelly got day parole in 2008 when he moved to Prince George and two years later he was granted full parole. Surpris-
ingly, many people in the community including business acquaintances knew of his past – but chose to ignore it. Last Tuesday, his parole was revoked at a Parole Board of Canada hearing after he was found to be in violation of a parole condition requiring him to disclose to his parole officer any and all close relationships with women. Last summer, when the Free Press reporter came by to talk with someone doing construction work on his house in the Fort George Park area, Kelly waved
happily and walked into the door with a bouquet of lilies and a bottle of wine. “Are those for someone special?” “Yes, they’re for me,” he joked. That was the side of Kelly that many people saw – and liked. Kelly had recently moved into the house (purchased by a female friend) and it was undergoing extensive renovations. Well-known for helping out people down on their luck, Kelly was also a very shrewd businessman when it came turn to PAGE A3
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