A10 THE FORESTER, Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Ottawa may hold key to future of HST, says MPP Miller Conservatives still plan to fight for public hearings on controversial tax By Brent Cooper The provincial Liberal govern- pushing for public hearings on proposed $10.6 billion in tem- media,” he said. ment is proposing to combine the the bill for months now, but the porary and permanent tax relief, “I think that the great major- Norm Miller is waiting for infor- eight per cent Ontario sales tax MPP said they have not received according to a release issued by ity of people still don’t know a lot mation from Ottawa that could and the five per cent goods and any support from Premier Dalton the Ministry of Finance. about what this (HST) means to determine the fate of the Ontario services tax (GST) into a single 13 McGuinty on this front. He said Included in the relief, eligi- the average person and they won’t Liberals’ controversial harmo- per cent value-added sales tax that the HST does nothing more than ble families who earn less than really know about it until July 1, nized sales tax (HST). would be federally administered, shift taxation from businesses $160,000 per year would receive when they go to fill up their car According to published reports, starting July 1, 2010. onto Ontario residents, particu- three payments totalling $1,000 and see that gas is eight cents a federal Liberal leader Michael The new tax has been widely larly those on fixed incomes, who between June 2010 and June 2011, litre more,” he said. Ignatieff was to meet yesterday criticized by consumers’ and will be hit the hardest. while singles earning less than Miller added the timing of the (Tuesday) with his caucus to seniors’ advocacy groups as noth- “We have been making what $80,000 would get three payments taxation makes little sense as peo- determine their vote on the pro- ing more than a tax grab. we think is a fairly reasonable totalling $300. ple are still trying to dig them- posed taxation program. They say the HST would raise request, which is to hold public Miller said the payments are selves out of a recession that many The Liberals may hold the the levies on scores of goods and meetings, which they normally do nothing more than “bribing peo- feel is still present in the economy. deciding vote on the minority services, including heating fuel, for any bill. They need to hear ple with their own money.” The MPP said he has heard from Conservative government legisla- gasoline, newspapers, fast-food from people in the province and The Conservatives staged their a number of his constituents who tion, which, if passed, would allow value meals, funerals and other I can certainly tell you that I have own protest on Nov. 24 over the are worried about what the HST the merger of the federal GST items and services. heard from people in my riding government’s refusal to hold pub- will do to their household bud- and provincial sales taxes in both Proponents of the proposed with concerns. I think it is a fairly lic hearings on the proposed legis- get, including one resident who Ontario and British Columbia. tax – who include economists and reasonable thing to ask that gov- lation. The 25 MPPs walked out of he said told him that if the tax Reports are that the Bloc Que- business leaders – argue that the ernment to do what they do with question period, leaving only nine is instituted, his annual heating becois will probably support the program is not a tax grab, but any bill, and that is to give people NDP members to debate the taxa- bill of $3,500 would increase by legislation, but has not made rather is a legitimate attempt to a chance to comment on it,” he tion with the government. about $280. any firm commitment, while the make the sales tax regime more said to the Forester. “We are doing what we can to “People are struggling right New Democrats say they will efficient and less of a deterrent to To try and offset the sting of slow down the process, ask for now and it is a difficult time to vote against the legislation, thus business investment. additional taxation on numerous public meetings an create some further tax people. The timing for potentially giving the Liberals the Miller and his party have been items, the provincial Liberals have public awareness through the this makes no sense,” he said. swing vote. If the federal government cannot pass the legislation to allow for the merger of the taxes, the HST will fall flat in Ontario. Miller, the Parry Sound- Muskoka MPP and the finance critic for the Ontario Conserva- tives, said he will be watching what transpires this week from Ottawa regarding the new leg- islation. The Huntsville Community Policing Committee “I don’t know how long it will would like to announce our Annual General Meeting. take (the federal government) This meeting will take place on Tuesday, December to go through their process. It the 8th, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Huntsville Civic Cen- is probably a lot shakier on the tre, (Town Hall), meeting room #1 on level #2. We federal scene because the Con- WELCOME: Baysville After-School Program parents and children hosted the food booth at are currently looking for new members to join our servatives there hold a minority the Lake of Bays Community Centre on the weekend during the men’s annual four-on-four community oriented committee. Come out to see parliament. It does look a little hockey tournament to raise funds for their program. From left are Linda Harris, Sabrina what our organization is about and how we can con- less clear… what will happen on Anderson, Charlie Rutledge, Jenna Harris, Rose Janes, and cooking in the background is tribute to the community.” the federal side,” he said. Dawn Lawless. 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