NEWS:  

Eastern Ontario MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Steve Clark visited the Bread of Life Dance Theatre today to prove that Dalton McGuinty's $3 billion HST tax grab has hurt local families who register their children in sports and recreational programming. Since Canada Day, Ontario parents have been forced to pay 8% more to keep their kids active in dance lessons, baseball, soccer and swimming.

The Ontario PC Caucus opposed the $3 Billion HST tax grab imposed by the McGuinty Liberals, having stalled the Ontario legislature during the HST debate, introducing over 500,000 amendments to the tax bill and submitting over 200,000 signatures on petitions opposing the tax grab.

Ontarians looking for tax relief after the next election are encouraged to visit www.daltonsalestax.com.

QUOTES:

 "Parents who encourage their children to live a healthy and active lifestyle are now penalized because of Dalton McGuinty's 8% tax hike on kids sports and recreation."

-- Lisa MacLeod, MPP Nepean-Carleton, Ontario PC Revenue and Government Accountability Critic

 "For some parents, these extra costs could make the difference between whether their child gets in the game or just sits at home."

-- Steve Clark, MPP Leeds-Grenville

"Our mission is to have affordable lessons, so that everybody can access our training and classes.  Unfortunately, the HST is making it less affordable and effecting parents and kids who love to dance."

-- Sam Crosby-Bouwhuis, Artistic Director, Bread of Life Dance Theatre

 QUICK FACTS:

• The 8 per cent sales tax hike applies to recreational facility rental fees, such as those for ice rinks, baseball diamonds and soccer fields.
• McGuinty Liberals preach the importance of physical activity for youth, but at the same time they are making it more expensive for youth to play sports - even though they exempted fast food from the HST.