For immediate release:
April 2, 2009

Singles punished by harmonized tax

Queen's Park – The McGuinty government is attempting to chase the poisonous Harmonized Sales Tax of 13 per cent with paltry rebate cheques.

"I've received input from constituents who feel Mr. McGuinty is insulting their intelligence with the harmonized sales tax rebate cheques -- some of them use very colourful language to describe Mr. McGuinty's spread of this tax and spend virus" Barrett told members of the Ontario Legislature yesterday.

Barrett continued by saying that realtors, automakers, laid off steel workers, farmers, families, singles and taxpayers across Ontario are calling, emailing an writing letters to editors expressing their anger over the new tax and rebate cheques.

“Let's talk about single folks for a moment. Singles drive to work, buy gas, buy groceries and newspapers, have their hair cut, and have home heating bills like everybody else. They pay the tax, yet they will get a mere $300 rebate, as opposed to the $1,000 for families,” Barrett explained.

“Why is this government penalizing singles? Why penalize some of Ontario's most vulnerable citizens; for example, seniors living on their own?”

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