For Immediate Release 
May 7, 2012

DUNLOP: NEW LIBERAL TAX GRAB ON WORKING ONTARIANS

(Queen’s Park) – Today, Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop, Critic for Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Reform questioned the Minister of Training, Colleges; The Hon. Glen Murray why the McGuinty Liberals are proposing yet another tax on Ontario’s hard working tradespeople.

         
Late last week the Ontario College of Trades released documents showing that it intends to raise tradesperson’s fees from current rates of approximately $20 per year to as high as $200 per year per tradesperson – a 1000% increase.

“I along with my Leader, Tim Hudak and the PC Caucus oppose this Liberal trades tax that will hit hard working Ontarians in their pockets when they are already stretched to the limit,” said Dunlop. “Not only does the Minister deny this but it seems like nobody in the Liberal Government will take responsibility for it.”

  
Under this new tax grab skilled trades employers are proposed will pay up to $600 annually.

“This represents an enormous increase in costs for our member companies,” said Stephen Sell, President, Ontario Electrical League. “We see no value from these fees and are strongly against them.”

"This is taxation without representation,” said Frank Viti, President of Merit Ontario". “Ontario’s tradespeople have had no say as to who sits on the board of the College of Trades."

- 30 -

For more information: 
Garfield Dunlop, MPP                                    
705-327- 4500 cell