Encourages constituents to keep distributing and sending petitions

(Queen’s Park, Toronto) – Norm Sterling, MPP for Carleton-Mississippi Mills today read into the Legislative record petitions opposing the 8% tax increase on many items that will result from the McGuinty Government’s introduction of a Harmonized Sales tax.  The petitions were signed by more than 850 residents of Carleton-Mississippi Mills. 

Numerous other Progressive Conservative MPPs, including Nepean-Carleton’s Lisa MacLeod, read similar petitions opposing the HST. 

“I want to thank my constituents for signing these petitions and collecting the signatures of their friends and neighbours,” said Mr. Sterling.  “While the McGuinty Government announced their intention to harmonize the provincial sales tax with the federal GST in this year’s budget, they have not yet introduced the legislation to do that, so I encourage all Ontarians who oppose this move to continue signing petitions and writing to their MPPs.”

By harmonizing the PST with the GST, the McGuinty Government will add an 8% tax on a wide variety of goods and services including gasoline, home heating fuel, internet services, hair cuts, gym memberships, legal and accounting services, construction and renovations, car repairs, plumbing and electrical services, landscaping services, leisure activities, hotel rooms, veterinary services for the family pet and even funeral services.  As a result, the McGuinty Government will collect an additional $2.2 billion in sales tax when the taxes are harmonized. 

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For more information, call Carleton-Mississippi Mills MPP Norm Sterling at: (416) 314-7900