Hudak takes aim at McGuinty over HST

Aedan Helmer
Cornwall Standard Freeholder
July 28, 2009

Using a Centretown gas station as a backdrop, newly installed Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak took aim at the Dalton McGuintyproposed Harmonized Sales Tax, which is set to take effect in July 2010.

A merger of the current PST with the federal GST, Hudak labelled the new tax the DST — or Dalton Sales Tax — and introduced Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod as the party’s shadow cabinet critic for revenue and government accountability.

Under the proposed harmonized system, said Hudak, Ontarians will be taxed for many items that were previously exempt from either the provincial or federal sales tax.

MacLeod used the gas station to illustrate the impact of the tax on middle class families, saying gas at the current average price of 90 cents per litre would be taxed an additional 7 cents per litre.

“For a commuter who has to fill up weekly in Barrhaven, that means over $200 per year in additional tax,” said MacLeod.

“I think the more average folks hear about the tax, the angrier they get, and for good reason,” said Hudak. “Families are already struggling to make ends meet, they’re seeing the price of utilities go up, taxes going up under Dalton McGuinty, and now he’s going to put a whopping new tax on gasoline in our province.”

Hudak called the $1,000 rebate being offered to Ontario families to offset the tax “a bribe with their own tax dollars” that “conveniently” expires after the next provincial election campaign.

Hudak promised to fight the HST “tooth and nail,” and said MacLeod will lead the charge as revenue critic.

Hudak also took the opportunity to blast the “crippling effect” of the Premier’s policies on local economies, making a pledge to restore Ontario “not only as a ‘have’ province, but as an economic powerhouse.”