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HST is a lousy birthday gift Only a McGuinty Liberal would think the best way to celebrate Canada Day is with a tax increase. But that's just what will happen this year in Ontario, when the Harmonized Sales Tax, or HST, will come into effect on July 1st. By combining the 8 per cent provincial sales tax with the federal GST, the Liberals are touting their new HST as a magic elixir to create jobs and reduce costs to business. They claim they're cutting other taxes. They claim our economy will be more efficient, businesses will pass along the savings to consumers-- and there will even be cheques in the mail! But to many people, the HST will instead amount to nothing more than another tax hike from a government addicted to tax hikes. Affected will be goods and services, including many essentials like our fuel and hydro bills, which are not currently subject to provincial sales tax. Taxes will rise to 13 percent on the following: hydro, home heating fuel, gasoline, vitamins, Internet service, mutual fund fees and financial services, condo fees, airplane, train and bus tickets, funerals and estate planning costs, home renovation and repairs, lawn maintenance and snow removal, golfing fees, bicycles and bicycle safety equipment, gym memberships, trips to the veterinarian, and haircuts-- to name just a few. For gas, be prepared to pay an additional 8 cents a litre, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. For an average family with an average car, that's at 7 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, June 8, 2010 THE PERFECT EVENT AWAITS YOU AT Ted Arnott least $250 more, every year-- just for gas. Opposition members of the Legislature have an obligation to speak up for those who will be hurt by the government's policy. That's what we in the Ontario PC Caucus are doing, and will continue to do, when it comes to this new tax. With the introduction of the HST, provincial Ministry of Revenue staff will be transferred to the federal government. In March during Question Period, I asked the government to explain why these provincial tax collectors would be receiving up to six months severance, when they wouldn't be missing a day of work or pay. We still haven't received a satisfactory explanation. With all of that spending, it's no wonder he thinks he has to keep raising taxes, but he should at least be clear about his intentions. As I recently asked in the Ontario Legislature, the next time he offers to the people of Ontario his solemn pledge on taxes, who on earth will believe him? Canada Day offers many things to celebrate. The HST is not one of them. Ted Arnott is the MPP for WellingtonHalton Hills. He can be reached toll free at 1-800-265-2366 or www.tedarnottmpp.com BANQUET & EVENT CENTRE A CARLS CATERING COMPANY CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS Located at: 1857 Queen Street W. Brampton, ON. 905.457.2813 · WWW.ROTARYGLEN.CA Win a chance at $5000 with the lease or purchase of any new or used vehicle. Only at Georgetown Honda. $5000 to be given away in June, July, August. *See dealer for details THE GEORGETOWN HONDA SUMMER CASH GIVEAWAY. CIVIC DX with A RACE-BRED ENGINE AND 4-WHEEL INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION MAKES EVERY HONDA CIVIC FUEL EFFICIENT AND FUN TO DRIVE. YOUR PAYMENT CHOICE We Race, You Win. PURCHASE CIVIC DX-A FOR $ 148 0 * WITH $ DOWN OR CIVIC DX-A FOR /APR LEASE $ 148 2.9 # @ % £ 0.9% 60 MONTH BI-WEEKLY FINANCE ON APPROVED CREDIT $18,820 MSRP Includes Freight & Fees Take advantage of as low as PER MONTH FOR 48 MONTHS WITH $4,880 DOWN ON APPROVED CREDIT ENJOY THE EXCITEMENT OF THE HONDA INDY - FREE! 5 FULL YEARS PURCHASE FINANCING 0.9 % PLUS TEST DRIVE ANY NEW HONDA YOU COULD FREE FRIDAY JULY16TH TESTDRIVE ANY NEW CIVIC WHEN YOU BUY YOUR INDY TICKETS AT YOUR HONDA DEALERSHIP GET A PADDOCK PASS AT NO CHARGE! PROUD SPONSORS OF THE HONDA INDY TORONTO #Limited time lease offers based on new 2010 Honda models. Lease examples based on new 2010 Civic DX-A Sedan, model FA1E2AE4X available through Honda Financial Services on approved credit. £2.9% lease APR for 48 months. Monthly payment (includes freight and PDI, environmental fees and OMVIC fee) is $147.71. Down payment or equivalent trade of $4,880.00, first monthly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $13,661.19. Taxes, license, insurance and lien registration (if applicable) are extra. 96,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. Retailer may lease for less. Retailer order / trade may be necessary. *Limited time financing offers based on new 2010 Honda models. Purchase example based on new 2010 Civic DX-A Sedan FA1E2AE4X available through Honda Financial Services on approved credit. Purchase agreement based on a purchase price of $18,820 which includes freight and PDI, and environmental and OMVIC fees of $1,530, and 130 bi-weekly payments of $148.00 with $0 down payment and 0.9% purchase APR. Cost of borrowing is $420.00 for a total finance obligation of $19,240.00. Taxes, license, insurance and lien registration (if applicable) are extra. Retailer may sell for less. Retailer order / trade may be necessary. There is one (1) Honda Test Drive prize to be won consisting of an Indy Experience Weekend for 2 in Toronto including hotel accommodations, Honda Indy seats for each day of the event, hotel to track transportation and $500 spending money. Approximate value of the prize is $1,900.00. Selected entrant must correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question before being declared a winner. Contest duration is June 1st, 2010 through June 30th, 2010. Full contest details available at participating Ontario Honda retailers. $500 Gas Card offer applies only to retail customer purchase, lease or finance agreements for new 2010 Civic models concluded, respectively between June 1st, 2010 and June 30th, 2010. $500 Gas Card offer includes GST, PST, HST, QST where applicable. Valid only on purchase, lease or finance agreements concluded at participating Honda retailers.#/£////* Offers valid from June 1st, 2010 through June 30th, 2010 at participating Honda retailers. Offers valid only for Ontario residents at Ontario Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. See your Honda retailer for full details.