Have your say on how the HST is spent

THORNHILL, ON, June 7 /CNW/ - You weren't asked for your opinion before the government decided to merge the GST and PST. Nor were you consulted on what should be exempted from the new harmonized sales tax. But now you can have your say.

Speak up and sign CAA's e-petition urging Premier Dalton McGuinty and Finance Minister Dwight Duncan to listen up and act on behalf of taxpayers. CAA SCO is calling for a portion of the HST collected on gasoline to be dedicated to transportation infrastructure and maintenance. To add your name to CAA's e-petition click on www.caasco.com/worstroads.

"The new HST means drivers will be paying more out of pocket at the pumps," said Faye Lyons, Government Relations Specialist, CAA SCO. "It's the taxpayers' money and they should have a say on how the HST is spent."

"Last year, your voices were heard loud and clear by elected officials when you voted in the annual Worst Roads campaign," said Lyons.

About 10,000 Ontarians cast ballots and because they voted, streets are being repaired and resurfaced.

For the past seven years, Steeles Avenue has made CAA's top 20 Worst Roads list and now that stands to change. Your repeated cries about pothole damage to your vehicles during your daily commute were answered.

In the spring of 2010, construction crews began resurfacing Steeles Avenue. In fact, 90 per cent of the top 20 Worst Roads are slated for repairs.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. We are more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance. Visit www.caasco.com.

For further information: Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Internal/External PR Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]; Follow CAA on Twitter @caasco for regular updates on wait times and other news and information