Residents Say Strong No to the New Harmonized Sales Tax

SAULT STE. MARIE - Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) has received close to 500  responses to his Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) newsletter from residents calling the tax a “ridiculous”, “irresponsible”, “outrageous” and “unacceptable” move by the federal Conservative and provincial Liberal governments.

 “The recession has already put considerable burden on families – some have lost their jobs, their homes and many are struggling to put food on the table. This tax is irresponsible and will only hurt families further” said one resident.

A sample of other responses:

• “Seniors incomes are not sufficient to keep up with this kind of tax grab.”
• “ It’s hard enough trying to make ends meet on ODSP without having to pay an extra tax!”
• “It is hard enough now making ends meet. … What are we supposed to do without? Food? Heat? A roof over our heads?”
• “Why do big corporations get tax breaks and the average wage earner bears the brunt of taxes?”
• “Seniors incomes are not sufficient to keep up with this kind of tax grab, nor the people on social assistance or disability. I hope they will be remembered at the polls come election time!”
• “As a First Nations member the HST will negate our right to tax exemption. The cash grab needs to be stopped!”
• “Being a former small business owner, I see none of the benefits they claim we will gain.”

Some individuals further see the HST as only serving big businesses, while low-income families and households are made to suffer.

“We oppose a new regressive tax that is unfair to so many and which our First Nations communities have had no say with respect to its violation of treaty rights,” Martin said.

Set to come into effect in July 2010 in Ontario, the HST will add an additional 8 per cent to the cost of many goods and services that households and families depend on such as gas, electricity, snow removal, internet, cell phone bills and many others.

From the beginning, federal and provincial New Democrats have called on all Members of Parliament to stand up for the people who elected them and vote no to the Conservative and Liberal governments’ bills. Unfortunately Liberal and Conservative MPs have not been onside with the New Democrats and the bills have been allowed to pass into law.

With just over 6 months to go before the HST is implemented, New Democrats are urging Ottawa and Ontario to repeal their laws and stop the tax.