Queen’s Park – New data released today by Ontario’s NDP shows Dalton McGuinty’s HST will take $895 million from the pockets of Ontario drivers in new gasoline costs alone – an average of over $200 in additional annual gasoline costs for an average couple with children.
“These figures make clear that the cost of driving the family car will go up dramatically once the HST kicks in,” Horwath said. “When families factor in over $200 in higher gasoline costs alone, it becomes pretty apparent that the Premier’s meager tax credits won’t come close to offsetting the higher costs under this new tax.”
The findings were generated using Statistics Canada’s Social Policy Simulation database and model.
Horwath noted the NDP had earlier submitted a freedom-of-information request for the government’s analysis of the impact of the HST on gasoline prices. Although the government confirmed the existence of the records, it denied the request for their disclosure.
“The Premier refuses to tell Ontarians the truth about the real costs of this new tax,” Horwath said. “Unfortunately, the numbers show that the cost of living in Ontario is about to jump significantly, and the premier should stop hiding the real costs of the HST.”
