The Ontario government’s own numbers demonstrate the massive shift in tax burden — $4.5 billion in business tax relief and, according to a TD Economics report, $2.5 billion to $3 billion annual cost increase for consumers. That’s why the tax credits and fast food exemptions, but they have not won the hearts and minds of taxpayers, especially since a full offset of the new consumer burden depends on business passing through its savings.
Our members simply don’t believe that will happen in their lifetime. They want immediate relief for essential services like home energy and gas and let others believe in free market theories.
Insisting that this is not a tax grab because the province stands to lose revenue is hardly cheering to a group of lifelong taxpayers. They don’t need to be slapped up the side of the head with a new tax and be told it will not help the deficit.
The Ontario Tories have had their Highlander moment at Queen’s Park — complete with kilt and clanging bells — conveniently forgetting that their finance minister is the puppet master. The Liberals have been forced to offer a few hours of public consultations, secure in the knowledge that their 72-seat majority means they don’t need to listen to the deputations. The B.C. Liberals will be less sanguine — only a half-dozen backbenchers need to get weak-kneed for them to have wasted their political capital on this. Older Canadians have paid their fair share for the common good and even now as they face an uncertain retirement might yet be convinced to do more. But they want to be asked first.
Susan Eng is vice-president, advocacy for CARP, Canada’s largest national advocacy group for older Canadians.
Keywords: HST
