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Recommended 2 times. 2 Recommend
2009-11-23 at 6:00 PM

HST leads to PC walkout

By tbnewswatch.com
Thunder Bay TelevisionKeep informed with the Tb Television News hour Weekdays with Barry Third and Marjorie Dowhoshttp://www.tbtv.com

Some opposition members at Queen's Park protested the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax Monday.

Progressive Conservative members walked out en masse during question period in Toronto to protest the McGuinty government's refusal to hold public hearings on its bill to create the HST, which would go into effect in July.

PC Leader Tim Hudak tried five times to get the premier to agree to public hearings on the plan to merge the eight per cent PST and five per cent GST. His caucus walked out when Hudak didn't get a positive response.

Hudak says people across the province view the HST as a "greedy tax grab,'' and wants his party to use every tactic it can to force public hearings.

MPP Bill Mauro (Lib. Thunder Bay – Atikokan) called the PC walkout irresponsible and said it was a politically opportunistic stunt. He also called Hudak’s opposition to the proposed HST hypocritical, saying that the PC leader and some of his conservative colleagues have in the past gone on record to support a tax harmonization.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the Tories should do more than walk out of question period to protest the HST.

The New Democrat leader added that the conservatives should convince their federal cousins in Ottawa to abandon the plan to harmonize sales taxes.
TbNewsWatch.com

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Tbnewswatch.com(23)

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chezhank says:
The HST will create 600,000 new jobs just like the casino will draw in how many buses was that?
Pray tell how many jobs were created with the GST....the tax that replaced the manufactures tax?
2009-11-28 at 17:37
captain says:
central, that was pretty good. some of that stuff I knew, others were nice to know. Can I add a couple. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the local Chamber support this move. One more thing, BC is doing this BECAUSE Ontario is doing it so that BC doesn't lose jobs. Unfortunately, most of the people on this sight won't believe you. I hope someday you right a letter to the Source with this information. great effort
2009-11-28 at 16:53
central says:
Reasonable third-party groups have investigated the HST and their research debunks many of the myths
1) “The HST is a tax grab.”
The CD Howe Institute found the B.C. and Ontario HST’s likely revenue neutral due to the generous rebates for new homes and other sectors. The study is from last summer and recently announced relief on low value purchases under $4 in Ontario makes this even more obvious.
Reinforcing that finding, this week’s report from the Roger Martin task force on the economy says that “increased revenue from the harmonized sales tax is matched by reductions in corporate and personal taxes and by tax credits. The effect is revenue loss.”
The HST is not a tax grab. The Ontario government will actually lose revenue. That accusation is demonstrably false.
2) “The government will not hold public hearings.”
There will be public hearings on the HST held in Toronto by the appropriate legislative committee. The pre-budget tour by the Finance Committee will also offer an opportunity for those outside Toronto to opine as well.
3) The HST exists in a vacuum.
No opposition leader should be expected to point out the benefits of a government budget, but the truth is the HST reform is accompanied by an array of tax reductions for both business and individuals.
4) The HST will “increase prices.”
The Martin task force found the opposite is true: “In Atlantic Canada prices on goods fell when they harmonized the sales tax.”
5) Business will “gouge consumers.”.
Again, the Martin task force found that competition prevented that in the Atlantic Canadian experience.
6) The HST will “raise costs for small business.”
The Martin task force found “costs will decrease as small business recover sales taxes they have to pay on goods and services they purchase – just like the federal GST today. Harmonizing the provincial sales tax with the federal GST lowers administrative costs for small business.”
7) The HST “hurts seniors.”
The Martin task force found that those with lower incomes in Ontario may pay more for some services, “but they will benefit from enhancements to the property and sales tax assistance and personal tax adjustments.” Basically, the government is lowering other taxes to make up the difference for low-income seniors and others.
8) The HST is a “job killer.”
Jack Mintz found that the HST will create almost 600,000 new jobs over the next ten years. Far from killing jobs, it is a huge boost to job creation.
9) “Now is the wrong time for the HST,” says Mr. Hudak. “Wait until the recession is over.”
The opposite is true, reports the Martin task force. “If we want to encourage business investment for job creation, now is the best time for the harmonized sales tax.”
10) The HST is the “Dalton Sales Tax.”
Considering it could not have happened without the $4.3 billion from the federal Conservatives, and is also underway in British Columbia, this is clearly a joint federal-provincial initiative. Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has been more up-front in his efforts to sell the HST lately.
Myths are compelling. That is why they get told again and again. But like the belief that the sun revolves around the earth, those who continue to perpetuate myths after they have been debunked are in danger of becoming seen as backwards -- or worse.
2009-11-28 at NOON
chezhank says:
Actually we can give petitions to both our MPPs to present to the legislature.
The HST will help just like Nafta and or the GST has helped to create jobs in Canada.
2009-11-27 at 15:38
tudor says:
just a few questions before I head to bed. Why give the petition to Mauro. Why not Gravelle, he can bring it right to the cabinet table. That is why it is good to have a minister from T.Bay. some think the PC's believe the HST is a bad idea? Before the last budget, the Tories wanted harmonized sales tax. That's the provincial tories. Now they are against it. HMMMMMMMM. Vote NDP as a protest vote. Hell of an idea. They we can spit in the wind and yell and get nothing, just like we get nothing with two NDP in Ottawa. Remember the zero dollars for Bombardier from these two guys. And if not the HST, then what. someone please give an alternative. I hear lots of not now, can't afford it, don't tax me more, but if not this, then what do you folks suggest. someone has got to pay for all the billions we all screamed for. and if its jobs you want, this may help. I spoke to an owner of a large company last weekend. He easily employ's 200 people. This will save him money. If business is what we want, to create jobs, someone come up with a better idea. And for your folks who like the tories. Hudak and the PC's can say this to get my attention. We will cancel the HST, pay back the 4.5 billion to the feds as soon as we are elected. Guess what. he won't because he won't cancel it. And if you think Hudak and the PC's are popular in the toronto area, you are not paying attention. he is not, they are not, at least not yet. but up here where we get so little broad coverage of issues, it is places like this website that form public opinion. nothing can be more scary than that. and as for the pay of our MPP's and even our MP's. when other people run for these jobs, are they in it for the money too, or just the guys who have the job. And if the money and job is so great, why don't you clowns run for the position, intead of your constant jealousy. Anyone can run you know, even people who only know how to complain. You have a lot in common with the NDP.
2009-11-26 at 23:53
hockeyday says:
Read McGuinty's lips. No new taxes. It was a health premium and now its a harmonized sales tax. We deserve what we get as the majority of us obviously think with all these mill closures, job losses and warm and fuzzy words for new taxes, things are great under the liberals as we continue to elect these two clowns as our representatives.
2009-11-25 at 23:37
canuckman55 says:
hear hear Beav.
2009-11-25 at 6:00 PM
The Beaver... says:
The point in all of this is the fact that nobody ever turns out at Election time ..pretty bad to think only 52% really cared the last time..4.4 million out of 8.4 million eligible..therein lies the whole problem.And now we all pay the price.And guess what the City turn out at it's last Election was even worse. You get what you voted for.
2009-11-25 at 9:00 AM
canuckman55 says:
thepawn: Thats the problem with voters in Thunder Bay... we don't look at the big picture. If we vote NDP because we don't think the Tories have a chance the absolutely they don't... but then we are stuck with the third party in the chain, and the one with the least say in legislature. If we all decide to go with Hudak's leadership (as I suspect much of Southern Ontario will next election), then the PC's stand a good chance of a breakthrough up here. As long as we keep voting in the same two parties, they will keep taking our vote for granted and we get nothing. But if we show that we aren't afraid to vote for any of the three parties, then all three will have to take our vote seriously. A PC win up here would be a major embarassment for the Liberals as it was in Kenora Federally when Rickford won.
2009-11-24 at 16:53
westfort says:
I also agree with advocate and elvis2010. The federal conservatives are a huge part of the HST. Though the provincial liberals can also say no. I blame them both. It's shameful the way they're treating Canadians knowing the economic situation most are in. Yet they (federal conservatives)continue to throw our money around buying more votes. Now they're bribing the provincial liberals with money to implement the HST. And McGuinty and the lot are acting like they're actually helping out Ontarians by taking this money. I said it before....give back your last big fat raise if you really want to help Ontarians and get rid of this latest tax grab.
2009-11-24 at 16:45
green says:
Vote Green.
2009-11-24 at 16:27
greenstoner says:
To thepawn: The only party that does have a chance to defeat the Fiberals is the Conservative party. A local NDP representative would be a wasted MPP at Queens Park. We have had some direct benefits since our local MPPs sit with the ruling party, but there have also been some lousy province wide initiatives (like the health tax and HST) and it is time for the Liberals to take a back seat for a while. Vote Conservative.
2009-11-24 at NOON
elvis2010 says:
advocate's comme t is the only one that makes sense so far. tbaymkr seems to have forgotten who brought in the gst, who started to tax us to death, litterally in the late 80's early 90's. Sounds like tbaymkr is just out campaigning for Harper or Hudak. In Hudaks case, it's easy to complain and put on a good show when you are the opposition. Tell me you honestly believe that if the pc's were in gov in Ontario right now they wouldn't be doing the same thing, bringing in another tax grab to bring in the extra cash the feds lost by cutting the gst?
2009-11-24 at 11:57
advocate says:
tbaybmkr, don't let the Conservatives fool you. The Federal Conservatives are just as much behind the whole HST thing as the Provincial Liberals. Let's get these facts on the table!
2009-11-24 at 10:40
tbaybmkr says:
Let's see, Conservatives lower federal taxes, protest HST.
Liberals, raise taxes PLUS add more service fees (taxes)...
You be the judge..
2009-11-24 at 08:48
thepawn says:
Vote strategically. If you are mad at the Liberals, and want to protest vote this one time in 2011, support the only party that has a chance to defeat them. Hint: Up here in the north it isn't the Tories.
2009-11-24 at 07:28
The Beaver... says:
HSt GST PST it all makes no sense at this time.Cut the PST to 6% from 8 and help People in need out a bit on this.The average Joe has no money to spent and with the City running rampant as well we are in for some rough times.But that seems not to be a problem for those that feed from the public through
2009-11-24 at 07:19
karcat says:
So you want Mpp Mauro To Deliver A petition to
his boss mcginty? liberals have no guts to do
anything like that, like i gave always said if
your a politician then you are a crook legally
just look at the liberals record in provincial & federal politics & also other parties where they can do as they please woth your tax money
my opinion as i am antiliberal and will see if this biased media will put up my opinion as
they are biased for the liberals, like dont rock the boat on this or any thing to do with our great city council or mayor.. PS still waiting to see an open line show like we had before ,but doubt that will ever come back
2009-11-24 at 03:19
rediculous says:
Well said westfort. I can't imagine the liberals holding on to their jobs in the next election.
2009-11-23 at 20:17
sweetazmaple says:
i never vote PC but i would like a list on who walked out cause i will gladly vote for them in the upcoming election!!!!
2009-11-23 at 19:43
chezhank says:
Would anyone on this site like to sign a petition against the HST and have MPP Mauro deliver it in the Legislature?


2009-11-23 at 19:23
advocate says:
Interesting, Hudak has said repeatedly that if the HST is implemented and he gets elected in, he WILL NOT repeal it. Westfort, you should check that out. Because to me, it sounds like Hudak is only fighting this for political reasons. If the PC's were really against this, they would fight it with their Federal counterparts and promise to repeal it. But Hudak won't.
2009-11-23 at 6:00 PM
westfort says:
Mr Mauro likes to talk about the past. Perhaps they did want an HST, but they don't now, and at least they know it's now wrong. Someone is listening to the voters, because it's not the provincial Liberals.

Mr McGuinty is a coward. He's afraid to face the voters. He says that the voters will vote on this in the next election. Anyone want to be that he won't be seeking re-election at that time and will have stepped down as party leader? He'll act like he did Ontario good while collecting a big fat pension.

The conservatives may have done some damage during the Harris reign, but if they don't support the HST they already have earned points in my book as I will NEVER vote Liberal in Ontario ever again due to the HST. And let's not forget the Federal Conservatives part in this. However most of the blame goes with the party running Ontario at the moment.

How about the MPPs give back their last raise instead of the HST? I bet that would help with the deficit. It's not like they are doing much to help these days, and let's look at the mess the OLG and E-Health are in. Hardly anything to brag about.

One last point...ask anyone living in the Maritimes what they think of the HST. My best friend lives there, and I have spent a lot of time there and let me tell you, the prices are not lower at all. In fact I find it either comparable or more expensive than here.
2009-11-23 at 6:00 PM
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