For immediate release:
August 14, 2007

Tax first, ask questions later is Liberal way: Barrett
Environmental taxes are show and sham

Simcoe – PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett says that the long list of environment taxes imposed by the McGuinty government is show and sham.

“In Ontario we now have the paint tax, the oil tax, the tire tax, the printer tax, the photocopier tax, the antifreeze tax and the count goes on,” Barrett said. “People are not aware of programs to recycle these items – so the question remains, where are these monies going?

“As well, consumers are wondering where their rebate or incentive is to recycle these old printers, old tires and cans of paint.”

Barrett says that the McGuinty government has the tendency to work backwards – tax first, ask questions later.

Ontarians are now paying tire stores disposal fees of between two and five dollars per tire which is supposed to be an environmental disposal fee. However, of the 12 million tires disposed of each year, only half are recycled with the remainder being burned.

“This government needs to develop a comprehensive recycling plan that includes incentives to recycle instead of making day-to-day life more expensive for consumers,” Barrett said. “Right now there is little to no transparency or accountability.”

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629