For Immediate Release
November 2, 2010

MPP DUNLOP: MCGUINTY OUT OF TOUCH
Liberals vote against removing HST from Ontario hydro bills

Queen’s Park:  Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop says the McGuinty Liberals have once again shown Ontarians how “out of touch” they really are. The Liberals have voted against a motion that would have immediately removed the HST from all Hydro bills.

“On July 1, 2010 Ontarians were hit with the biggest tax increase in history when the McGuinty Liberals introduced their HST,”said Dunlop. “This was the McGuinty Liberals’ chance to make it right and give Ontario families an immediate 8 per cent break on their electricity bills.”

Because of the McGuinty Liberals’ $53 million hidden hydro tax, Ontarians have seen their hydro rates increase 75 per cent, so far, and a recent study shows that families will pay an extra $732 per year by 2015. According to the Ontario Energy Board there are “serious questions” about whether the hidden hydro taxes are constitutional.

“The McGuinty Liberals have a track record of sneaking in taxes that hit the family budget,” added Dunlop. “I feel struggling Ontario families need to know now if the McGuinty Liberals plan to hit them  with more hidden taxes.”
 
The C.D. Howe Institute published a report that said the hidden hydro tax was ‘an unconstitutional tax.’ Dalton McGuinty collected the $53 million tax anyway.

QUICK FACTS

• The McGuinty Liberals have yet to scrap Schedule D of the Green Energy Act, which gives them a secret taxing authority.

 

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