For Immediate Release
June 22, 2010

MPP DUNLOP: MCGUINTY’S HST BRIBE CHEQUES A BLOW TO SINGLES AND SENIORS

Orillia: Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is getting an earful from single people, especially single seniors who feel they have been discriminated against by the McGuinty Liberals with the HST rebate cheques.

The Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefit (OSTTB) program provides for up to three separate payments to residents of Ontario.If you are single or widowed you receive three payments of $100 each. If you are a couple you will receive the maximum amount of $330 for the first payment and $335 for the next two payments.
 
“It is going to cost single Ontarians more than $300 to cover additional costs with the HST,"said Dunlop. “Our calculations show the cost for a single senior on a fixed income will be $1,000 or more a year to simply cover items like hydro, home heating fuel, natural gas, haircuts, gasoline, home renovation and repairs, mutual fund fees, estate planning and snow removal,” he added.

“Many seniors have approached me indicating how upset they are with the rebate amounts they are eligible for,” said Dunlop. “They are justified in feeling that they should be entitled to at least half of the $330 being given to couples. This is just proof that even McGuinty’s HST bribe cheques are flawed,” Dunlop noted.

With the HST set to begin on Canada Day, we’ll be paying eight per cent more on dozens of goods and services not previously subject to provincial sales tax. Most consumers will see the biggest change when they pull up to the gas pumps and have to pay eight per cent more. The HST also applies to home heating fuel and to electricity, plus a wide variety of products and services that range from fitness to funerals. The $4 billion in HST transitional rebate money stops a few months before the 2011 provincial election. But, the Harmonized Sales Tax will go on forever.

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CONTACT:
Garfield Dunlop, MPP
 705-327-4500 (cell)