Ontario Families Just Cannot Afford Dalton McGuinty Anymore – Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak

Ontario Conservative Leader Tim Hudak

Forward by Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Niagara At Large recently posted commentary, along with information from the Ontario NDP and Premier Dalton McGuinty’s website on a controversial Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) the province’s Liberal government is planning to launch this coming Canada Day.

In the interest of all provincial parties getting some say on a regressive tax that will hit hardest on seniors on fixes incomes and other lower-income earners, Niagara At Large is posting a media release on the HST it received this May 7 from the office of Ontario Conservative Leader Tim Hudak.

Niagara At Large encourages you to visit our news and commentary site at www.niagaraatlarge.com and to share your views on this matter. The HST will hit us all. Please use this site as a virtual town hall for letting others, including our political representatives, know how you feel.

A Media Release From Ontario Conservative Party Leader Tim Hudak, May 7, 2010.Earlier this week, Dalton McGuinty was forced to finally admit that his $3 billion HST tax grab will increase the tax burden on Ontario families.  He also called on Ontario families to do their part in paying this new tax. 
Today, Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Caucus released a summary of representative cost of living increases faced by a typical Ontario family since 2007 alone.  Examples like these confirm that, after six and a half years in government, Dalton McGuinty has already stretched Ontario family budgets to the breaking point. 
 
Since 2007 Dalton McGuinty has presided over increases in auto insurance, electricity costs, university tuition and property taxes.  When combined with the HST, these price increases alone add up to $2,700.

QUOTES
 
“Life continues to get more expensive under the Liberals.  The family budget is under siege.  After seven years, Ontario families just cannot afford Dalton McGuinty any more.”
— Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, MPP Niagara West-Glanbrook
 
“Everywhere, in every region, at every age level and in every income bracket – people are being forced to pay more.  The house always wins.  Dalton McGuinty always takes more of your money.”
— Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak, MPP Niagara West-Glanbrook
 
QUICK FACTS
 
Representative examples of Ontario cost of living increases from 2007 to 2010 under Dalton McGuinty include:
 
· An average Ontario auto insurance premium in the GTA will increase from $1,229 in 2007 to $1,917 in 2010 which is an increase of $688.
 
· Typical household electricity costs will have increased by $469 from $1,200 in 2007 to $1,669 when combined with the HST.
 
· Average Ontario university tuition has increased from $5,388 in 2007 to $6,249 in 2010 which is an increase of $861.
 
· The HST on an average car like the Toyota Camry will be $303.
 
· A typical GTA home valued at $459,367 would see a $257 increase in property assessment increases between 2007 and 2010.
 
· An average household paying $2,047 a year in home heating costs would pay an extra $163 with the HST. 
 
Background
 
Ontario Families Just Cannot Afford Dalton McGuinty Any More
 
The basket of goods and services below would add more than $2,700 a year to the cost of living in Ontario.
 
AUTO INSURANCE
 
Ontario has the highest auto insurance rates in Canada.  In 2007, the average premium was $1,229, according to the Fraser Institute.
 
In 2010, auto insurance premiums in the GTA are expected to increase by 14%, hitting $1,917 per auto on average.  This represents an increase of $688 per year.
 
TUITION
 
According to Statistics Canada, the average university tuition in Ontario was $5,388 in 2007.  With the expected 5% annual increase, Ontario university tuition will hit $6,249 in 2010.  This represents an increase of $861 per year.
 
GASOLINE
 
A Toyota Camry filling up once a week on average in 2007 would have spent $3,787 on gas.
 
When Dalton McGuinty’s $3 billion HST tax grab comes into effect, this driver can expect to be paying $4,090 – an increase of $303 thanks to the HST.
 
ELECTRICITY
 
A household that spent $1,200 on electricity in 2007 could see their bills rise to $1,669 based on the same usage patterns, thanks to Dalton McGuinty’s rate increases, Green Energy Act, smart meters, and HST.  This represents an increase of $469 per year.
 
PROPERTY TAXES
 
A typical GTA home valued at $459,367 would see a $257 increase in property taxes between 2007 and 2010.
 
HOME HEATING COSTS
 
According to Statistics Canada, an average household in Ontario pays $2,047 a year in home heating costs.  With Dalton McGuinty’s 8% HST tax grab on home heating fuel, families can expect to pay $163 more per year.