NEWS:

Eastern Ontario MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Steve Clark visited the Cloverdale Links Golf Course today to prove Dalton McGuinty's $3 billion HST tax grab has hurt local golf courses and golfers.

Since Canada Day, Ontario golfers have been forced to pay 8% more on green fees and annual golf memberships. The HST has reduced the number of rounds played affecting the positive impact the golf industry has traditionally on the economy.

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:

"Dalton McGuinty's greedy HST tax grab is forcing golfers to dig deeper for green fees.  Each time you hit the course, Dalton McGuinty will have his hand in your pocket. Golfers simply can't afford Dalton McGuinty anymore."

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

"The HST is forcing golfers to pay an additional 8% more on a round of golf.  This tax is yet another bogey on McGuinty's score card."

-- Steve Clark, MPP Leeds-Grenville

QUICK FACTS:

• A study by the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada finds golf contributed $11.3 billion to the national economy and $4.3 billion to the Ontario economy.
• The National Allied Golf Associations finds golf in Ontario generates $11.5 billion in total gross production through direct, indirect and induced spending impacts.
• The game of golf is played by an estimated 2.3 million resident golfers in Ontario.