Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak says HST may not fly
Strathroy Age Dispatch
July 30, 2009
The harmonized sales tax (HST) may not fly.
That was the message by newly-elected Ontario Progressive Conservative Party (PC) leader Tim Hudak during a roundtable discussion in Strathroy on Thursday, July 23.
The meeting, hosted by the Strathroy & District Chamber of Commerce, was held at Bear Creek Golf Club.
Mr. Hudak has dubbed the HST the “Dalton Sales Tax” (DST) and says if it is implemented it will be a real job killer.
If approved, the HST would merge the current PST and GST and would take effect on July 1, 2010.
“There is no doubt that this new tax is going to be hard on all taxpayers,” said Mr. Hudak. “It is going to mean an additional $400 will be needed for the household budget and an extra $250 will be spent at the gas pumps.”
Mr. Hudak called on those in attendance to join him in the fight to stop the new tax by signing a petition to show the Liberals that taxpayers in the province are opposed to it.
“It is time to tell Dalton McGuinty to stop the DST before he takes one more dollar from your pocket,” said Mr. Hudak. “Small businesses deserve our support, especially now during tough economic times.”
For more information about the petition, go online to: www.daltonsalestax.com
According to Mr. Hudak, the HST would take a major bite out of the economy and that is why the Ontario PC caucus is committed to fighting and stopping the DST.
Mr. Hudak feels the current government is only interested in looking for handouts from the federal level.
“I am sad to say Ontario is now a ‘have not’ province,” said Mr. Hubak, “and there doesn’t seem to be any plans in place to change that.”
Mr. Hudak wants to turn the province’s economy around and make Ontario the powerhouse it once was.
“We need to lower the tax burden and eliminate unnecessary red tape,” Mr. Hudak told the audience of nearly 30. “Ontario must get back to being a ‘have’ province.”
When asked about the state of the auto industry, Mr. Hudak indicated he doesn’t agree with bailing out the pension plan.
“You can’t keep going back to the taxpayers,” said Mr. Hudak. “The workers were betrayed by management and their unions.”
Mr. Hudak says his plan to get older cars off the road and stimulate the economy at the same time involves a rebate.
“Anyone trading in a car that is older than 10 years old, would receive a rebate,” said Mr. Hudak. “This will boost the economy and benefit the environment.”
There was a general chuckle in the room when Fortner MacKinlay asked Mr. Hudak about the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). Mr. MacKinlay wanted to know “who are they?”
Mr. Hudak laughed and said, “that is the million-dollar question.”
He went on to explain that LHIN members are nominated and appointed by cabinet. They are not elected.
“LHINs should be comprised by elected people,” said Mr. Hudak. “We are the ones who must answer to the taxpayers.”
Asked if his party would eliminate the LHIN, Mr. Hudak hedged a bit, by answering that there needs to be a massive overhaul.
“We’re not really sure what we are likely to inherit if we get elected,” said Hudak.
Ellen Frood, a senior development officer for the Women’s Rural Resource Centre, the lack of commitment of funding to social services infrastructure.
“The human services sector is needed more than ever now,” said Ms Frood, “however, our funding continues to be uncertain.”
Mr. Hudak noted that the provincial budget continues to get bigger, but the funds don’t seem to be going to the right places.
“In 2003, the budget was $68 billion, and this year it is expected to reach $110 billion,” said Mr. Hudak. “With that kind of money, we should be able to fix the state of the economy.”
