PC REVENUE CRITIC LISA MACLEOD CALLS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION

For Immediate Release                                                             Thursday, November 19, 2009

(QUEEN’S PARK) – The McGuinty Liberals are exempting timbits at the expense of seniors  who are going to be forced to pay 8% more on hydro, condo fees, gas, and vitamins when the $3 billion HST tax grab is implemented.

Today, PC Revenue Critic Lisa MacLeod was joined by Christine McMillan, Chair of the Councils of Aging Network of Ontario, to voice their concern on the devastating impact of the HST, and to push for public consultations.

The Ontario PC Caucus is joining a grassroots campaign push for a full series of cross-province public hearings so that seniors can join the debate on the HST. A first step for concerned Ontario citizens is to visit www.daltonsalestax.com and sign the anti-HST petition.

QUOTES

“Ontario’s seniors will be among the most negatively affected when Dalton McGuinty’s greedy $3 billion tax grab goes through.” -- MPP Lisa MacLeod, PC Revenue Critic

“Seniors just can’t afford Dalton McGuinty. For seniors struggling to get by on fixed incomes, every penny counts..” -- MPP Lisa MacLeod, PC Revenue Critic

“Dalton McGuinty is denying Seniors a voice in the HST debates.  That’s why we’re calling for public consultation in every community, from Ottawa to Niagara Falls to Windsor to Hamilton to North Bay to Thunder Bay.  The HST will have no legitimacy without public consultations.” -- MPP Lisa MacLeod, PC Revenue Critic

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QUICK FACTS

·        The DST is the merger of the PST and GST into one tax, which means the 8 % PST will be applied to a whole new range of goods and services previously not subject to PST

·        The DST will devastate those on fixed incomes who will be forced to pay 8% more for nondiscretionary items like hydro, home heating fuel, natural gas, haircuts, gasoline, home renovation & repairs, funerals, lawn maintenance, and snow removal.

·        The DST will be a tax on retirement savings and related services – including higher prices for mutual fund fees, exchange-traded funds, insurance premiums, lawyers and estate planning fees, and accountant bills.

·        A typical senior couple living at home could expect to pay up to $2,800 in new taxes due to the DST being applied to a broader range of goods and services.