McGuinty Liberals Smirk as They Plot Introduction of HST But Ontario
Taxpayers Will Get the Last Laugh, Vows National Citizens Coalition

TORONTO , Nov. 13 /CNW/ - In an unbelievable display of smugness and arrogance, the McGunity Liberals think they can 'smile all the way to the bank' as they plan to ram through legislation that will levy new taxes on hundreds of items.

    
    On Monday, the provincial government plans to introduce enabling
    legislation for the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

    The National Citizens Coalition (NCC) promises to fight the tax. NCC
    President and CEO Peter Coleman will be at Queen's Park on Monday, and
    will be available to the media following Question Period.
    

The NCC estimates that the HST will cost the average taxpayer an additional $800 to $1,000 or more annually - an amount payable to the province year after year into the foreseeable future.

"And they have the gall to smile and claim that this new tax is going to create jobs, that it's going to be good for the economy," says Coleman. "But no one is buying it. I can tell you that taxpayers are outraged, and they're going to wipe the smiles off the faces of Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals in the next election."

Hundreds of products and services, previously exempt from the provincial sales tax, will now be taxed at an additional 8 per cent on top of the 5-per-cent GST. That's a tax increase of 160 per cent. The government will rake in billions of dollars a year.

The NCC traditionally has not involved itself in elections. "But if the Liberals push this through, we will work to defeat them," Coleman vows. "There has been no public consultation on this tax, and so we will make this government listen at the ballot box."

While big business has formed a coalition in support of the HST, almost everyone else is opposed. "Is this what the Liberals have become - a government that rewards big business and goes to war with the average taxpayer?" Coleman asked.

The current improving economy is very fragile and is dependent on a return of consumer confidence. By taking billions of additional dollars out of the pockets of Ontario residents, the province is doing exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time.

"McGuinty and his government have increased government spending by $45 billion since coming to power, and now they want to punish taxpayers because of their own financial mismanagement," he says.

There is a calculator on the NCC website - www.nationalcitizens.ca - that helps people estimate how much Dalton's Hated Sales Tax will cost them personally

"Don't be fooled again by McGunity. Find out for yourself how much more you'll be paying in taxes. Then get angry and get involved."

The National Citizens Coalition is Canada's largest organization that stands for the defence and promotion of free enterprise, free speech and a government that is accountable to the taxpayer. Founded in 1967, the NCC continues to fight for more freedom through less government.

For further information: Media Contact: Sara Cauchon, PR POST, [phone]; Peter Coleman, President and CEO, National Citizens Coalition, office: [phone], cell: [phone]