Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
As we observer Canada Day it’s a time to celebrate what we have achieved together. A lot has been written about our comprehensive tax package and the HST. Much of it has been filled with misinformation and half truths. I wanted to take the opportunity to deliver the facts.
Our tax reforms boil down to three things: more jobs, more investment and higher wages. It’s that simple.
HST will eliminate hidden costs for business, allowing companies to invest in growth and create new jobs. We’re also giving Ontarians tax cuts and transition cheques, putting money back in your pocket to help with the change.
According to tax expert Jack Mintz from the University of Calgary, our tax package will result in $47 billion in new investment and almost 600,000 new jobs. We need these jobs for stronger families, stronger communities and for a stronger Ontario.
We need to remember what’s at stake: 600,000 more people working, 600,000 more families who can provide the same quality of life our parents gave us, and 600,000 more people supporting the strong public services like our schools and hospitals.
While many Ontarians agree that more jobs and more investment are good things, they are also concerned about how tax changes affect them and their families. Our tax package will cut income taxes for 93 per cent of Ontarians and will mean that 90,000 more of the lowest income Ontarians will pay no income tax at all. We are introducing a permanent Ontario Sales Tax Credit of up to $260 per person per year. And we are providing extra property tax credits to help people deal with additional expenses, including a doubling of credits for seniors.
It’s true that consumers will see increased prices on some goods – but not even close to what’s being suggested by our critics – they want you to believe that the sky is falling and everything will see an 8% increase. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, 83% of things that families buy everyday will see no additional tax come July 1st. Let me repeat that – 83% of everything you buy will be the same price on June 30th as on July 2nd.
This includes things like: restaurant meals, movie tickets, groceries, home cable and charges, clothing, car seats, furniture, home and auto insurance, municipal transit, your morning coffee and newspaper, auto parts and repairs, appliances, electronics, cell phone charges, municipal water, music lessons, child care services, books, diapers, home maintenance equipment, mortgage interest costs, computers and software, toys, household cleaning products and feminine hygiene products just to name a few. A more comprehensive list can be found at http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange/pdf/taxable.pdf
Looking at Ontario this Canada Day versus last it is clear that we have come a long way. Last Canada Day we were facing a global economic collapse. This year we are looking at strong signs of economic growth and recovery.
We can no longer rely on a low dollar, cheap oil prices and a single dominant trading partner for economic prosperity.
We have a choice, together we can emerge from the global economic recession stronger and more competitive or we can do nothing and watch jobs and prosperity move to other places.
We have chosen to take action to fight aggressively for jobs and a better economy. More information can be found at www.ontario.ca/taxchange.
Sincerely,
Pat Hoy, MPP
Chatham-Kent-Essex
111 Heritage Rd.
Chatham, ON N7M 5W7
519-351-0510
