YAHOO POLL: Are you happy with the new utility rates?
The average four-room HDB household will save about $2.36 a month on electricity alone. The new rate stands at 27.47 cents per kWh before GST. Gas prices now sit at 22.28 cents per kWh.
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YAHOO POLL: Do you usually drink water when you're thirsty?
YAHOO POLL: Is air-conditioning a necessity in Singapore?
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The cuts are driven by lower global fuel costs, which have eased after months of volatility. Both SP Group and City Energy review tariffs quarterly under EMA guidelines.
Still, the savings may feel underwhelming for families grappling with inflation and rising living costs. Some are asking: is this a meaningful reprieve or just a token gesture?
What do you think, are these cuts enough to make a difference?
Have your say and take the poll.
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Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Bad blood in the Niagara towing industry
The push for change in administration of the lucrative Niagara Regional Police tow-truck rotation is coming to a head. Joe Vieira, owner-operator of Regional Towing in Niagara Falls, and Chris York, who drives a truck from Jo's Auto Collision in Thorold, have gone public with complaints against Niagara Tow Alliance (NTA), which was formed in 2019 to help Niagara Region oversee the rotation of tow trucks called to crashes. Vieira and York have accused NTA, owned by a rival tow company, of conflicts of interest and questioned the organization's finances. The alliance has denied the allegations and recently voted to expel Vieira from the organization. The NRP issued a report recommending reassumption of control over the rotational list for Thursday's police board agenda. Regional staff maintain changes to provincial legislation relieves the upper-tier municipality 'It's a matter of safety, and we want to make sure that we have the proper oversight for the towing rotation to make sure we don't have the criminality coming down here from Toronto,' Vieira said. 'The way it stands now, nobody is overseeing the towing for the Niagara Regional Police. If a citizen has a complaint about a tow they received from somebody the police called out, there is nobody to go to. It's absolutely 100 per cent in limbo right now.' The Ontario government created a vacuum in January 2024 by changing its towing legislation and relieving municipalities, such as Niagara Region, of responsibility for licensing tow trucks. The revisions were in response to violence in Toronto. The regulation of the industry is now part of the Ministry of Transportation's mandate; however, the legislation is silent on tow rotations. Niagara Region's manager of business licensing, Chris Johnston, said without the ability to license the trucks, his department lacks authority to manage or change the rotational list. 'The language is not there for rotation,' Johnston said. 'It speaks about what the compound will look like, how operators conduct themselves, the licensing regime concerning all things tow truck and the enforcement component of that. 'The rotation was created as part of the bylaw that was pre-existing, and now we can't enforce it, essentially. That's where we need to determine what the next steps are going to be.' A police tow rotation is a system whereby towing companies are called to provide towing services in a predetermined order. This system ensures fair distribution of towing jobs, prevents chaotic competition and helps maintain order at crash scenes. The NRP employs a separate company, Parkway Towing of Niagara Falls, for what are known as crime tows, when a vehicle is evidence and police need to verify the chain of custody for court proceedings. The NRP awards the contract via a competitive process. Vieira said he requested to see NTA's financial statements and information about the GST remittance to the government for the dispatch service, which costs each company $85 monthly plus tax. 'If the NTA had just provided the bank statements of the ins and outs and the GST information and everything checked out, I would have shut up and disappeared with egg on my face,' Vieria said. 'We did get some transcripts that somebody manually inputted, but we wanted to see where the money is going. I eventually decided to have my lawyer from Protomanni & Associates request the financials on my behalf, using their letterhead. 'I thought that might work, but then the lawyer called me in and said we can't legally ask them. He turned the computer screen toward me and said, 'These are the directors, and it is set up as a money-generating business.' I was completely floored. 'When we first got together at the Holiday Inn on Ontario Street (in St. Catharines), we were told you have to be part of the NTA to tow for the police, and not to worry about the cost because the organization is not-for-profit.' A screen capture shows a message, with the name redacted, that was sent to the owner of Regional Towing. Vieira said he contacted police and was assured his company can stay on the rotation by paying the dispatcher directly. York said he never joined the alliance, having been convinced from the outset it was, at best, unnecessary, but is nonetheless invoiced for the dispatch service. York told regional councillors during their June 26 meeting it is clear to him Niagara Towing alliance is making a profit. 'We repeatedly asked to see them and were sent a spreadsheet,' York said. 'Where are the supporting documents? We've asked to see bank statements. We've asked to see the invoices. None of this has been forthcoming.' Jim Hatcher, owner of Traffic Towing in St. Catharines, serves as NTA's elected chair. He requested that questions be submitted and answered through email. He took issue with the comments about financial accountability. 'All members received a copy of our statements to date and have had access to the bank records,' Hatcher said. 'However, the Niagara Towing Alliance is not part of any government body; therefore, our financial activity is solely the business of our members and the board. We are fully compliant.' Hatcher has also denied having a conflict of interest because his company is on the tow list. He said the alliance doesn't make decisions regarding the list, as the province's licensing system determines eligibility, along with specific criteria provided by police, in another emailed response. 'If approved by the province, they can apply for and be added to the rotation list,' Hatcher said. 'It is not in our authority to approve or disapprove of anyone on the rotation, as we serve at the pleasure of several police departments.' Vieira said the issue has more to do with owners who gain a financial advantage because they have multiple companies in the rotation. 'One of the things that I'm pushing for is just one owner, one company, and none of this 'My dad owns this company; it's not mine,'' Vieira said. 'If you get in an accident and the police call for a tow, and the vehicle stays in the compound for a few days, each car is going to bring in $1,800 to $2,200. You can have between 20 and 40 vehicles per month, depending on the circumstances. That's just my company. One of the members has six companies listed. You can see how lucrative it is.' Hatcher said NTA members in attendance at the most recent meeting unanimously endorsed continuing with the alliance's present services if asked to do so by the police and region. 'With our proven track record and transparent system that remains revenue neutral to the taxpayer and combined with the addition of NRP oversight, I can see no reason why we wouldn't continue,' Hatcher said. Vieira said money and territorial disputes are at the heart of the violence surrounding the industry in Toronto, and those factors are also at play in Niagara. The Toronto Star reported police records show tow-truck violence was responsible for 13 per cent of all shootings in the city in 2024, and 15 per cent in the first part of 2025. 'Any time you have a contest, people are going to try to get a leg up,' Vieira said. 'Someone is going to try to cheat, and they're going to threaten or intimidate or hurt you or take you completely out of the picture.' Vieira and Hatcher agree on this point. Hatcher said the criminal activity stems from an industry practice known as 'chasing.' 'That's when a tow truck shows up uninvited and attempts to coerce the victims of an accident into using their services,' Hatcher said. 'I can report the NRP is diligently working on a monitoring system, in addition to the present dispatch protocol, that will eliminate any outside element wanting to chase in Niagara. We believe the police are well aware and are taking definitive steps.' One owner says the procedure that involves a Niagara Region list of companies local police use The police report on the local industry said the criminal aspect associated with tow trucks in the GTA and Hamilton area is a 'real and credible risk' in Niagara. 'The NRPS is aware of the criminal element in the tow truck industry within our jurisdiction, and this is a valid concern,' the report said. 'The responsibility of managing, administering and enforcing in all aspects of the tow trucks operating in Niagara would position the NRPS well to both address the criminal element and take a proactive approach through the oversight function associated with management of the tow rotation list.' The report said there is no provincial standard for lists, and it is up to each jurisdiction to manage tow trucks once the ministry licenses them. However, from a public perception and accountability lens, drivers impacted or involved in collisions believe police control every aspect of the crash scene, including the tow trucks attending. 'Therefore, there is already a perceived responsibility on the NRPS by the community,' the report said. 'Assuming carriage of the tow rotation list aligns NRPS operations with this public perception.' St. Catharines regional Coun. Haley Bateman said the towing issue is a safety concern for the entire community. 'A tow-truck driver is called when you need help, and in those moments, you're vulnerable,' Bateman told council at its June meeting. 'There's a huge responsibility here for the safety and well-being of our community. I hope we can move this along. It's not up to us. It's up to staff, but I think council should ensure that we're providing the support to do that.' Vieira said the fight is taking a personal toll. When he was removed from the alliance, one of the members made a throat-slashing gesture with his thumb. Vieira said he is considering wearing a bulletproof vest for the second time since he opened his business 23 years ago. The first instance was during the COVID-19 pandemic when roads were empty across the province and rival companies from outside Niagara invaded the local road network in search of business. These days, as a result of what's happening in the industry and his dispute with the towing alliance, he takes security precautions when he returns home from work. 'There has been a lot forwarded to me on social media,' he said. 'It's always anonymous, except for one person who is making threats that aren't exactly overt. He's making a point of calling me a rat, which is jail lingo for somebody who squeals or works with the authorities. Anybody who's been around the criminal element knows what it means. It's a big insult. 'That's not how I see myself. The opposition comes from individuals who have multiple companies on the list or have recently started their businesses and joined the rotation. They're afraid that the police might listen to me and make changes.' York finished his address to council with a plea and a warning. 'We need to give this back to the NRP before we have any more problems,' he said. 'They controlled it before and know what they were doing. Right now, we're sitting in a situation where we could have organized crime move in at any time, outmuscle Mr. Hatcher, and take control of the towing industry in Niagara.' During Thursday's meeting of the police board, Bill Steele, mayor of Port Colborne, asked that a motion recommending NRP take over management and oversight of the towing list be deferred until a Niagara Region report on the issue is filed. That report is expected in the next month or so. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
ATO's urgent warning to tradies over 'growing' tax trend: 'We will not tolerate'
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has put out an alert to all business owners after spotting a trend emerging primarily in the building and construction industry. The tax office has discovered some tradies have been committing GST fraud, making dishonest claims and falsifying invoices. These issues have also been noticed in privately owned and wealthy groups, and the ATO wanted to send a "clear message" to stamp it out. Assistant Commissioner Adam O'Grady said despite previous warnings against this behaviour, it's clear this trend is "growing". "While the numbers of businesses involved are relatively small, some are attempting to claim tens of millions of dollars in GST refunds they're not entitled to," he said. RELATED ATO's major tax return update for 15 million Aussies: 'It's time' FIFO worker's huge compensation win after being unfairly sacked Tradie loses $449,000 in an instant after missing key detail "Most businesses do the right thing. What these others are doing is simply not fair. We're dealing with dishonest and deliberate attempts to cheat the tax system. "We will not tolerate this fraudulent behaviour deliberately undermining the system or providing an unfair advantage over honest businesses."What dodgy behaviour has the ATO discovered? The ATO has noticed some businesses have been colluding with others to create fake invoices to justify "overly inflated" GST refunds. They've come in the form of development and construction costs "that never occurred", or intangible services like management fees that "were never provided". The tax office has even spotted multiple entities claiming GST credits for the same invoice, as well as invoices that were "completely fictitious". "Often these schemes are dressed up and sold as clever schemes with a figleaf of technical analysis – but any scheme which generates GST refunds through paper shuffling is likely to be ineffective at best, and civilly and criminally actionable fraud at worst," O'Grady said. "If it's too good to be true, it probably is." The ATO is calling on businesses doing the right thing to let it know if they hear of any dodgy behaviour. "GST revenue is vital to Australia's economy, funding essential services delivered by states and territories," O'Grady added. "Those involved are abusing the system, tarnishing the reputation of the property and construction industry and making it harder for compliant businesses to operate." If you suspect another business of being involved in these arrangements, you can confidentially report it to the ATO by making a tip-off online or by calling 1800 060 062. What are the penalties for GST fraud, dishonest claims, falsifying invoices? The tax office has warned if you're caught and convicted of any of these activities, you can face serious consequences. This can include: Interest charges Penalties Fines Prosecution Referral to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution The ATO has urged people to come forward now and make a voluntary disclosure about their activities before getting a knock at the door from them. The penalties could be reduced if you do this and cooperate with the tax office in to access your portfolio
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Business Upturn
Hyundai Motor India receives GST order of Rs 517.34 crore for alleged short payment on SUVs
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on July 22, 2025, 17:37 IST Hyundai Motor India Limited informed the exchanges that it has received an order from the Commissioner (Appeals), CGST Department, Tamil Nadu, confirming a GST Compensation Cess demand of ₹258.67 crore, along with an equal amount of penalty, bringing the total to approximately ₹517.34 crore. According to the company's regulatory filing under Regulation 30 of SEBI LODR, the order pertains to an alleged short payment of GST Compensation Cess on certain SUV models sold between September 2017 and March 2020. The order was received via email on 21 July 2025 at 6:40 PM, from the Office of the Commissioner of GST & Central Excise (Appeals – II), Tamil Nadu. Key details of the order: Particulars Details Authority Office of the Commissioner of GST & Central Excise (Appeals – II), Tamil Nadu Nature of Order Confirmation of GST Compensation Cess demand Amount of Demand ₹258.67 crore Penalty ₹258.67 crore Total ₹517.34 crore Period in question September 2017 – March 2020 Allegation Short payment of GST Compensation Cess on certain SUV models The company stated that there is no impact on its financial, operational, or other activities at present due to this order and confirmed that it is reviewing the order and will exercise its right to file an appeal. This move comes amid heightened scrutiny of the automotive sector over classification and cess rates applicable to vehicles sold during the initial GST regime years. Hyundai reiterated its commitment to comply with applicable laws and stated it remains confident about its position on the matter. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
