Updated: Thu Mar. 26 2009 11:39:38 PM

TORONTO — Ontario's government is rejigging its tax system while tabling a $100 billion-plus 2009 budget designed to kickstart the economy -- all while hoping things don't get worse.

The budget forecasts a $56.8-billion deficit over seven years as the province grapples with the global economic downturn.

The provincial Liberal government will be largely harmonizing the provincial retail sales tax with the federal GST, but will spend more than $4 billion to ease the transition.

In addition, it will be bringing in some income tax cuts that will supposedly leave lower and middle-income Ontario families better off, according to the 2009-10 provincial budget tabled Thursday.

But the government is also targeting tax relief to corporations.

The government is expecting to take in $64.8 billion in tax revenue in 2009-10, compared to $65.4 billion in 2008-09.

The biggest single change is the harmonization with the federal five per cent GST in July 2010, which the government says will improve the system's efficiency and be good for business.

However, the new tax will cover many goods and services not previously covered by the eight per cent RST. Those include:

• Gasoline
• Home heating oil
• Fast food under $4
• Tobacco
• Haircuts, pedicures
• Real estate commissions
• Gym memberships
• Taxis, newspapers, magazines
• Movie tickets, internet fees
• Postage stamps

The province will make the following exemptions:

• Books
• Diapers, children's clothing and footwear
• Child booster seats
• Feminine hygiene products
• New homes under $350,000

However, if you are buying a new home for $800,000, that home will cost you an additional $40,000.

Purchasers of new homes worth up to $500,000 will get a rebate on the provincial portion of the new sales tax. "The effect of the housing rebate would be to ensure that, on average, new homes under $400,000 would not be subject to an additional tax burden," the government wrote.

Small businesses will get a one-time sales tax credit worth a total of $400 million.

An estimated 6.5 million individuals and families will get cash payments in 2010 and 2011. The payments will be a maximum of $1,000 for families and $300 for individuals. The payments will total $4.3 billion -- which is the amount Ottawa is giving Queen's Park in transitional funding.

The McGuinty government also promises to deliver broad-based, permanent tax relief to both families and businesses.

For families, individuals and seniors:

• a permanent, $260 refundable sales tax credit to low and middle-income adults and children
• a property tax credit of $250 for non-seniors and $625 for seniors
• $1.1 billion in broad-based income tax cuts by cutting the first bracket rate to 5.05 per cent from 6.05 per cent
• The government claims 93 per cent of Ontarians will get a tax cut.

For business:

• cutting the corporate income tax (CIT) rate on manufacturing and processing to 10 per cent from 12 per cent, effective July 1, 2010
• reducing the general CIT rate to 12 per cent by July 1, 2010 and to 10 per percent by 2013
• exempting more small and medium-sized businesses from the Corporate Minimum Tax and cutting the rate for large businesses to 2.7 per cent from four per cent effective July 1, 2010

Senior government officials said there are other tax relief and targeted measures for business that are currently taking effect.

Some measures are also being tied into the changes to the sales tax, they said.

Spending, assumptions

Overall, the government plans to spend $32.5 billion on infrastructure spending, plus $700 million on skills development.

With total spending of $108.9 billion (including $9.3 billion on debt interest), the province is expecting a deficit for 2008-09 of $3.9 billion and $14.1 billion for 2009-10. The deficits running to 2014-15 are expected to add up to $56.8 billion.

The province won't return to balanced budgets until 2015-16, the government projects.

Here are some other measures:

• Shrink the civil service by five per cent through attrition and "other measures"
• Freeze MPPs' salaries
• Limit the raises of senior civil servants
• Make the BuyOntario program mandatory

It also hopes to ferret out $1 billion in savings.

Ontario assumes that the recession will end by mid-year, with economic growth returning after that. The government said its assumption is more conservative than those of private-sector forecasts.

The province assumes that for every lost point in GDP, the government would lose $725 million in revenue.

Comments are now closed for this story

Robert Nimmo
I will the first person to campaigning to dump Dalton - Taxes are never a good thing.
Has he read the news lately?

The Hammer Man
So when does Dalton and his crew blame this on Harris?

Sighs
Robert, please let me know and everyone else where we sign up. Thank you. This tax will make what we have to spend outrageous when you factor in all the additional costs. This payout of $1,000 is not going to do a thing to help out.

Small Town Ontario
Okay, so now I don't have to go ahead with a hysterectomy! This is still a load of crap. Could you have picked a worse time to make our cost of living increase? Just when gas was getting a little more affordable you go and increase the cost of that as well! For those of us who live in a small town with no transit system in place almost every family has to have one car for each parent just to survive. We don't have kids, it just the two of us and we wouldn't be able to survive if we each did have a car. Its the way of life when you live in a town of 5000.
I can't wait for the next election. If Ontario is stupid enough to vote in Liberal again than I think I have to move to another province!!

Ryan P.
Bob Rae you look like a darling in Ontario provincial politics compared to our new King of fiscal irresponsibility Dalton McGuinty. Here's how I'm saving the PST...shopping in the USA, feel bad for small business but it's alot cheaper, even with the exchange rate.

Bill Gettting the shaft from McGinty
Once more the single person get shafted. 300 check vs 1000 if married(family) This is ot fair.

Rick in NB
Not being an economist, this is a little hard to understand. Duncan seems to be trying to help the working class, but i don't understand the tax on gas.

Bob in Renfrew
Oh dear, here we go. When in doubt, tax 'em more. Welcome to Ontario. Out of debt by 2015? Good luck! Too bad we are stuck with these clowns.

Wally Paige
Who cares anymore,both governments are doing nothing to help the middle class. Freeze there salary,what a joke. They should be taking a pay cut like the rest of us.
TTC all ways benefits at budget time. All for the rich. Who you guys kidding. I'll give Layton a try this time. Thanks for nothing.

Richard in Ontario
I have always referred to McGuinty and his group as the Dalton Gang.. I now know I owe an apology to the memory of the original Dalton Gang. At least they didn't lie when they were robbing.. Everyone knew up front what was happening. Tax and Spend and lie is this government's mantra.

LondonJames
Maybe now we will no longer have to hear about how Bob Rae was such a terrible fiscal manager. He was a tighwad compared to this. This is just wild

Peter D
this goverment is out to lunch. its always sticking it to the middle class. I agree the Daltons liberals got to go

Charlie
Another situation of reducing tax on "low and middle-income taxpayers" - after all the reductions of tax on "low and middle-income Taxpayers" brought in by various levels of government and of various party affiliations over the last several years, I cannot fathom how there is anyone left to pay any taxes.
It is also interesting that, for all the tax decreases, my tax bill keeps going up a bit more every year, whether it is sales, income, property and like taxes or those darling "user fees". I can at least get out of them by sitting at home in the dark on my hands and doing nothing - at least until someone comes along with a "breath" tax.
I really dislike being treated like a fool and played for one by governments. Regardless of how much taxes are reduced, there always seems to be enough to pay fat bonuses to those always deserving civil servants or carry politicians from one hopelessly exhausing fact finding mission (warm climates preferred in winter months) after another. Isn't it about time the public said "Stop" - we will not tolerate this garbage anymore?
A little honesty will go a long way - and as for ways to reduce taxes, start by cutting waste, bonuses, trips and the like and channel the savings into tax relief or job creation. "Honourable" members were elected to serve the people - but somehow that has been turned to "snow" the people.

MW in Thunder Bay
Is the Ontario Government Insane? Clearly the answer is YES!

When the Tories left, Ontario was on track for a $2 billion deficit (which could have been balanced with the sale of assets).

Since then, McGuinty has piled on billions in new debt and only managed one year in which he posted an extremely modest surplus. Now he's using a recession as an excuse to spend the province into the poorhouse.

This is reckless, wrong and handcuffs future governments and taxpayers with enormous annual interest payments on a staggering amount of debt.

When will governments of all stripes finally understand that you can only spend what you make? That means never running a deficit, no matter how good or bad the times are. That's how ordinary Canadians run their finances and that's how government should as well.

Tony C in Toronto
The income tax cut is a good thing.

Help for those in a lower and middle income bracket is a good thing.

The harmonized sales tax is a good thing.

Eric
I see that Dalton and Dwight are the new Ontario Distributors for Crapola!

This harmonized tax is garbage. I say it is time for an election. Where is Mike?

$1000 to offset what we have to shell out. Give me a break!

Lynda Hurdis
Here goes: more cuts in my budget...gone are newspapers, gas? or less of it, postage, gym membership, magazines and fewer trips to the beauty salon. My purchases of fast food are already limited to Tim Horton's coffee. How in heaven's name is this supposed to help the economy.
When I sell my home who pays the pst on the commission my realtor gets..will it affect why the buyer offers? And tell me how can they spend $4 billion dollars to ease the "transition" - when according to this news report they only make just over $1 billion on new tax revenues? Glad I don't run my household this way or otherwise I would be on welfare. Hey maybe that't the answer.

Ann
To Bill - Getting the shaft from McGuinty

One benefit you have that married couples don't - you get a GST cheque, I don't.

I hate to tell you but we are all getting the shaft from McGuinty. No-one is exempt except large corporations. Businesses are already tax exempt for items purchased for use in production of their product - how is harmonization going to change that.

Reuben
I'm with Small Town, if people continue to vote these incompetent Liberals in... God help this province.

The funny thing is the Liberals wouldn't have to harmonize the sales taxes if they'd just collect the taxes that they're supposed to... you know, like the $500 million they didn't collect in cigarette taxes.

When's the next election?

annie, ontario
Ontario seems to be the next in line, following Michigan, New York and California to see a mass exodus of wealth to more tax friendly regions.

It's a slippery slope, when you raise taxes, people with wealth leave your area and you earn less than prior to your tax hike.

BTW, those states are liberal states and 2 of the 3 are facing bancruptcy.

Gunnar
If you voted Liberal, you deserve what you get. It is unfortunate that you're going to drag me along with you.

Liberals only know how to spend money. They don't spend wisely, frugally, or practically....they just spend. Stop voting them in, and this will stop.

yum
If Ontario continue to do thing this way, it will be the have-not province forever.... The west may be lucky with more natural resources, but if they borrow like that in Ontario, they would be in deep recession too. Doom Ontario! Poor government.

yim yim
Come to Alberta. NO provincial tax mean you save 7% on everything, plus a single tier 10% provincial income tax, the more you make the more you pocket, no progressive tax scheme. not good for low income family, but good for middle classes.

Tim from Calgary
Ontario voted in the provincial Liberals even after Mcgunity promised no new taxes so now let them deal with the consequences. If only Toronto would see the federal Liberals and NDP for what they really are.

Steve the Pundit
In what parallel "bizarro" universe is a massive tax in the middle of a recession appropriate? This is extortion of the highest level!

I haven't done the full math yet, but there's no way that the proposed tax "cuts" and tax "rebates" are going to offset my increased cost of living:

- price of gassing up (at today's prices): up $5 / week
- price of haircuts: $1.60 / month

- my daily cuppa joe: $.10 / day

- monthly movie night: $1.00 / month

utility bills (gas and hydro only, at current rates): $20 / month


That's already over $550 / year and I haven't factored accountants, gym memberships, internet access... I'm speechless!

There's only one way to sum this up: everybody sing along with me!

"A place to scram
A place of woe
Ontari-ari-ari-oh!!!"

Linda in Vancouver
WOW!! That sounds like a lot of money even if Ontario is the biggest province.
I just hope he's right.The whole country is hoping the people of Ontario can get their province through this recession in the same way the whole world is hoping the USA can mend it'd broken economy.
But I will say this,I quit the Liberal party of Canada because of socialists like the Bob Rae that "Ryan P" seems to favour.

NO ONE is going to get through this recession without some negative impacts.That is simply the way it is.All we can expect from any of our leaders is their best effort to mitigate the damages to Canadians.Governments with the lowest debt and tax levels will suffer,but not nearly as much as those with big debt,and little room to lower taxes.Long term,and as much as I'm not very fond of Mr.Harper,I agree completely that we must have a strategy to lower taxes and accumulated debt all across Canada.That is the gist of my problem with the Liberal party,the NDP,Dalton McGuinty and the province of Ontario.

That,and of course SENATE REFORM.We need a DEMOCRATIC Senate.If we ever did that we might actually see all Canadian provinces with a voice,and a willingness to work together in times like this.We should be helping each other for a stronger Canada.Not fighting each other over how to divide up an increasingly smaller number of resources.

Peeved in Northern Ontario!!
Wow....cut taxes and then combine the two taxes and add more taxes to gasoline and other essentials. Hmmm.. Must of been some politician that thought of that. Political leaders and all their followers are just a bunch of overpayed clowns that should all take a 50 per cent pay cut and be booted out automatically if the are caught lieing... OH WAIT!! Then we wouldn't have any politicians. Now there is a thought!!!!!

Gail (Hamilton)
I guess Dalton's new war on poverty legislation is for the benefit of all inhabitants of the Province of Ontario. Big Government = More Power, but not for the people who pay for his and all politicians/employees salaries/pensions standing at the public trough.

ouifyg
Well now I get to say I told you so. I never once voted for these clowns. We're screwed here in Ontario.

vinny
Hey, instead of rebates, just eliminate the heath levy.
but that wouldnt help civil servents who have their premiums paid by the public.

Carolyn
I agree with Bill Getting the shaft. For those of us who are single, this is not fair. There are alot of us who are single who are struggling working TWO jobs to make ends meet and pay off huge debt. $300.00 will do nothing to help at all!!!

Scott in Kingston
yup.. single people get screwed over once again.....

all they do is tax, tax, tax us to death

Mark
Mcguinty is a Stalin type socialist and needs to be impeached & removed from office. Also if you are single you get a whole $300.00 rebate-income taxes.whoopeeee(Sarcasm intended). Even if you get a $1000.00 cheque it is a bribe and you will end up every year spending much more than that one time 1k-income tax rebate.

Everyone sign up, it is time for the Ontario Tea Party, Dalton and Millers socialism must be removed ASAP.

The first party in the next election that promises to immediately reverse this tax grab and take away the 6% health tax grab gets my vote. Hospitals, wait times and test wait times are even worse now than when that tax was introduced.

Cory-Toronto
All smoke and mirrors to try and stop the province from slipping into oblivion. I am leaving Ontario and will not be back until this government or any NDP or Liberal government is NOT running it. It is no wonder at all why the rest of the country mocks us. This province is in complete denial and sill votes for this time and time again. I will not have my children growing up in Ontario. The prairies have never looked so good. Now the only problem is...Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Alberta? Which to choose?

Susan
What planet are these government people on, it certainly can't be on the planet earth in the province of Ontario. I thought we were suppose to stimulate the economey by relaxing our purse strings, this will only restrain peoples buying even more. I can learn to live without pedicures and I guess the Gym membership is out,oh and newspapers and magazines are out, and lets hope I don't have to take a taxie too often. But another 8% on gasoline?? thats just going to hurt everyone because it will be passed on through all the the things we buy. Oh and ya the poor single person only gets $300.00 dollars its barely worth cuttingthe cheque.

Don
Everytime I fill up my car and begin paying several cents more a litre I will be reminded to check the calendar for the next election!

Brenda outside of North Bay
I can't believe how naive Dalton and his gang are. They truly believe this will help??? What about seniors who have a hard enough time getting through winters without having to worry about extra costs for heating oil? Living in Northern Ontario in rural areas doesn't leave much opportunity for transit so therefore, transportation will be more expensive when gas prices increase (which are always more than southern Ontario). Hope everyone remembers this fiasco come next election time in 2011. Although, isn't it ironic that the cheques will be delivered around that time too. Can you say, "bribe"??

Rock
Great, now either I charge an extra 8% as a small business that never charged PST, or I take an 8% haircut. No win for anyone, except the workers at the big giant hole they will build to put the money in and the big bridge they will built to drive over it. Once this thing is harmonized, don't even think for a second they will "un" harmonize it. (Will there be a tax for commenting on this story?)

RT
What a load of BS. Stop buying folks! Just the essentials. It's about time we show these jokers enough is enough!

Syko
Anyone who thinks Ontario will have a balanced budget by 2015 is delusional. Bob Ray is starting to look like a conservative.

Mike vdB - Chatham, ON
Whoa Nelly! I sure hope this effective. Get past the spin, the rhetoric, and scare mongering and I can truely say it looks like it is one step forward and two steps back. All nice and dandy to spend money you don't have while taxing the people that don't have the money to pay in the first place.

Mark
I couldn't agree more with "The Hammer Man". I am looking for the McGuinty (I promise not to raise Taxes) government to a: blame Mike Harris, b: blame Stephen Harper, c: tell us it's really good for us, d: this budget will help to 'green the Ontario economy', e: all of the above.

My wife and I both are professionals, will receive zero benefit and will now pay even more in tax. The worst news? We live in Toronto so we get it twice-once from McGuinty and the 2nd time from Czar Miller.

Got to learn from the west
The west are also affected by this downturn, but continue to lower taxes. AB gets 7% less tax revenue in terms of provincial tax, massive layoff in oil and gas sectors, but manage to pose a mild 1 billion deflict, maintaining unemployment rate at 5-6%. What the heck Ontario does with that 57 billion deflict?

Mike V
By giving most of the tax breaks to balance out this combined sales tax to low income people, it once again shows that for any professionals who earn a decent income, Ontario is no place for you.

Time to move out to Saskatchewan, Alberta, or another country where they don't screw hard working people with high taxes.

Gord from Guelph
The land transfer tax is currently another tax GRAB the province gets on Real estate, I guess I had better move in with my kids, because the $ 1000. won!t make my life any easier.

Al from Oshawa
That's why you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket! I realize this is about global economic crisis but if the leaders were smart and planned a 21st century Ontario, they wouldn't invest most of the province in Auto sector. Diversification is the best solution. Question is who/when is going to plan an Ontario for 21st century...

CHRONOSS
OMG the madness continues
HOW IN HELL does a min wage construction job make our economy better when most of the jobs are 8-10$ a hour and most of that gets later spent on beer and drugs and , does very little to return to the rest of Canada.
NOW add the HST and you get items welfare and disability now will be charged 8% more on and get a 2% raise thus taking even more money out of the economy to regular buying

Matt
Protectionism? In an export based province?
Tax hikes?
Service cuts?

5% workforce reduction, but hundreds of thousands of "new jobs"

Time to get the PC or NDPs in there.

Mark
I agree with Cory. It is time to leave this province that I have lived in most of my life. Alberta with no pst & dropping house prices looks good.

Mcguinty & Miller are socialist crooks who have destroyed the Ontario middle class and I am not supporting auto bailouts tax harmony rip-offs or the god awful hospital waits should you ever be unlucky enough to wait 12 hours to see one after paying 6% health tax for supposed better health care services.

It is time for a full fledged tax revolt!!!

Jim - Calgary
Let's see if I understand this. The economic situation in Ontario is so bad that nationally we're bailing out two autombile companies largely so residents of Ontario can remain employed to name but two of many federal economic stimulus packages but then your provincial government implements draconian tax measures certain to curtail consumer spending at all levels.

The trouble is that when your provincial governments, past and present, put Ontario in the tank financially, you proceed to take the country with you and then expect the rest of us to do something about it.

Some how all of this doesn't compute in the mind of this old Alberta cowboy. This story reminds me of the book "How to Recover From the Effects of Bank Robbery" by F & J James, forward by the Dalton Gang.

Greywolf
I've always voted Liberal. But not anymore...definitely not in the next provincial election after these tax hikes! The so-called tax relief doesn't do a thing for middle income families or Individuals! The recession is an excuse for the government to raise taxes. The government should cut spending on unnecessary programs.

Ex-Ontarian in BC
Tax and spend, tax and spend- the Liberal way!

How about all those income surtaxes? Bring em back!

Am I ever glad that I turned my back on Ontario years ago. It was a ripoff to live there then, and it still is now.

Where is Mike Harris when you need him?

With government like McGuinty's, it's amazing that any one would want to do any business in that province!

David in Toronto
The Real Estate Market is
dropping and people are losing money on there Homes . Now Ontario wants to hit the Homeower with
PST & GST on all Utilitys . Then when you Drive your car to work - More GAS TAX too. It's a Bad time for the HST Tax - Things will get worse in Ontario . You may see more Cross-border shopping again soon .

al
to those who voted liberal, this is what you voted for.
i feel for the low income families. who said mike harris was bad.......

dan ontario
I just don't get it. We are already getting the tax credits that they are talking about so where are they giving us anything.

Angry Dave H. from Cornwall, Ontario
If it's supposed to be revenue neutral, WHY ARE WE GETTING CREDITS TO OFFSET THE NEW TAX SYSTEM. Anytime any government adjusts the tax system we are going to get screwed - THAT'S WHY THEY ARE CHANGING IT. Has Dalton not read a newspaper lately. Dalton has to go. Period.

RJ
Well get the tool belt! We're getting screwed again!
I'm no rocket scientist but a bad economy means tax hikes?? Bring back Harris or even may i say Rae? where do i sign the Get Rid of Dalton Sheet??

PrairieDog-prairies
My my. Ontario voted against Tory in the last election on ONE issue. Funding of religious schools. That was the biggest issue for them. Ontario continues time and time again to show the country that they are not progressive, but are continuing down a path to self distruction. The people allowed Dalton to get their attention away from the real issues and vote for him yet again. "I won't raise taxes" he said. This is over 100 billion dollars in seven years, while the taxes go up. If ANYONE thinks that this will save the people of Ontario money, they are sadly mistaken. It took Ralph Kline more than one term to make it right in Alberta. Perhaps now Ontarians will relatize this and give the Conservaive a couple terms to fix this massive "pothole" their precious Liberals have brought on. Even the NDP in Manitoba knows how to be Conservative when necessary. So, please Ontario...don't blame Mr. Harper...don't blame George W., and don't blame the west. This is your bed that you made...now lay in it.

chris
I know this is not an option for everyone, but for those who can, move west. Sask. is crying for skilled workers and university/technical school people. No HST, etc. Check it out.

Where is that
Oh, you mean, the people who will be paying more tax BECAUSE THEY ARE EARNING MORE.

Yeah, move to Alberta and herd sheep or whatever.

Jenna
This is what happens when your provincial government dumps millions and millions of dollars into loser GM.

vince in trenton
The sad part of all this is we seen it coming with Dolton and his lies the first time around. What did he get,a second kick at the can. We in Ontario are so thick skulled and clueless that no matter how much we get dumped on we still give you another chance. In 2011 Dolton and his band of merry thieves will get voted in again because by that time we will have been brain washed again to do the only thing right and put those idiots back in power...after all the LIBERALS are the only true power aren't they(so we are told over and over again)...

Al
Small town Ont.
Ditto to Linda in Vancouver.Well stated.
Senate reform especially!!!

Ray in AB
Wow.. I never realised living in AB was really as good as i thought it was. I mean The provincial Gov there is going to post a deficit similar in size to the federal one forced on us by the liberals. I really dont see that money ever getting paid back, and who is lending them the money... "CHINA" possibly, China will own the world at the end of this recession

Red X
How about giving away bikes so people don't have to spend fuel and concrete resources to get from point A to B?

HaHa
Sucks to live in Ontario, here comes anouther boom in the west

Glen
I just don't understand how Ontarians voted in this fellow twice. I just don't get it. I just don't.

Marc
In his first term he introduced the Health tax and this is costing my family an additional $ 900 a year in provincial tax. The worse part about that increase was that he even reduced our level of health care. Can even get an eye exam in Ontario. I promised myself that I would never vote libertal again until he was gone. Last election he won again but he did not get my vote. Now this!! The low-income family always gets the break and the middle class gets nothing. Basically he will be giving me $ 368 in tax savings but I will certainly pay a hell of a lot more in HST. I hope the people from Ontario that got fooled by these clowns a second time wake-up and kick him out of office next time. The problem is that we are now stuck with them for another 3 years.

yushi
Oh, Alberta has no health care premieum as well.. Free health care. And they still doing fine.

Ontario soon become ghost town province

Mike from Toronto
McGuinty needs to slash corporate taxes, not in selected sectors and sizes but across the board. The Ontario economy is dying, something must be done to revive it. Cutting corporate taxes is the only way to encourage companies to move here,expand and hire canadians.

M
Again tax break for low income. My husband and I have our own business. We live apart 5 days of the week to do business where the work is. Now I have to send my eldest to University. $20K per year for 4 years. We pay loads of tax and never qualify for any breaks. How is this fair. You educate and work hard so the government can play Robin Hood instead of the rich they are robbing the hard working middle class.

Tax the rich; make 'em squeal even louder
Tax 'em and tax 'em and tax 'em.

Red X
Ray in AB, you will be running deficits. When Obama moves for energy efficient vehicles and insulating homes they will not need Dirty Oil OR Natural Gas from Alberta.

The Harper Gov't threw away their principles to stay in power by introducing budgets with deficits well into the future. The province of Ontario is matching some dollars to get the infrastructure shovel ready.

China will be a crutch to the World Economy...

gentel
The thing is you may not be able to find a job in you move to the Praires... they are surviving too, just without the huge tax we are paying here

How many jobs does Saskatchewan have to offer?
200?

300?

Let us know when hundreds of thousands of jobs are available.

That's what Canada needs.

Not more penny-ante nickel-and-dime operations.

Big thriving progressive economic activity, not some piddling small-time hobby jobs.

Got that yet?

Two Guys From Windsor
This budget amounts to nothing more but a tax grab during grave economic times when most of the electorate can ill afford to pay. Minister Duncan appears to be eating well when compared to when he sat on Windsor city council. It's most doubtful his wife is taking in wash to supplement his family's income. What galls me most is that feminine hygiene products remain tax-exempt. Why not include toilet paper and tissues so that men and children get a break too?! I'll continue to support the "working man's party," the N.D.P. because once again, the Liberals have betrayed us.

JR
Tickets available now for
"The Lying King"
Starring Dalton "The Hoser" McGuinty
Directed By Dwight "Spendo" Duncan
Sure to be a sell out at the next election.

Check the Harper story that CTV won't give a board
Harper is still in denial.

He's still trying to pretend there is no recession.

Harper is a fool and a disgrace!

Al in Oshawa
Conservatives actually had a good shot in the last election of Ontario, until they went 100 years back when they wanted to give financial help/credit to religious schools. We can't allow funding going to religion; moreover, we can't allow religion in politics. So many people didn't like Liberals economy track but they hated religious funding even more. This is not US, religion is not popular here like it is in America...

pamela bushey
well what else is new everything goes up all the time,just like child tax credit is going up for people on ontario works because they don t get enough money but what about these people who work and bring in low income and still have trouble feeding there kids the write food.this is the problem today everything goes up like rent living expenses but pays never go up insted our pays lower because buisnesses are not making money so how do they expect us to servive on what we are making expliane that to me.

more Liberal budgetary giveaways to corporations
* cutting the corporate income tax (CIT) rate on manufacturing and processing to 10 per cent from 12 per cent, effective July 1, 2010
* reducing the general CIT rate to 12 per cent by July 1, 2010 and to 10 per percent by 2013
* exempting more small and medium-sized businesses from the Corporate Minimum Tax and cutting the rate for large businesses to 2.7 per cent from four per cent effective July 1, 2010

HPL
It's very unfortunate that McGuinty fell for this nonsense that the conservative federal government has been pushing for years now. Just another 'business friendly' move for which we will have to pay the bill - and keep watching business take advantage while putting nothing back in.

J
For all of those who are blaming McGuinty and the Liberals for the tax increase by way of the harmonization of the PST .... just remember that it was Stephen Harper and Jim Flaherty who were begging Ontario to do it for years and it was Dalton McGuinty who had been resisting.

Not Happy
Thank you to all the Liberal voters out there and to the PC's who shot themselves in the foot during the last election.
I am now screwed with MORE tax, MORE government BS and my kids will inherit this mess.
Last time we had a deficit this big, Mike Harris killed everything in order to get the Province back (somewhat) in the black.
I can just imagine what this Province will look like...

Sink McGuilty
"No New Taxes", eh!! Sure add a tax that will drive up the price of gasoline at the pumps. Sorry McGuilty but you and your Lieberal Gov't are nothing short of liars cheats and thieves. May you be licked solidly to the curb in the next election, never to see the governing side of the legislature again. You, sir, are a disgrace to this whole province.

John from TO
When will Torontonians wake up and understand that the Liberals arent the way of the world.. All they want is to TAX TAX TAX.. the only reason why that guy keeps getting re elected is because you re elect them! Remember, gas will go up because of this, and so will many other things. I hate to say "I told you so" but.. I told you so! Just remember, 2011 isnt that far off.... Oh ya, one more thing, its going to cost you rich people tens of thousands of dollars more for your new homes. Dont forget that in 2011!

Andrea H
Wow, this is a huge deficit, I have never seen anything like it.

I see good and bad in the budget.

The good is more funds for healthcare, but then bad for people who drive a car and rely on gasoline.

But lets face it, were is a recession, jobs have to be created some way or another.

Rick in SK
I understand there are more than a few jobs available in Saskatchewan and taxes are going down there, not up. Just a suggestion.

Cambob Screwed TAXPAYER!
GENERAL STRIKE, APRIL 1.

Every person in Ontario who is opposed to this must voice thier opinion strongly!

GENERAL STRIKE, APRIL 1.

Yes, lost wages. Yes, schedules and conflicts. But if we let this pass, every single person here is going to be shafted HARD by this tax grab.

GENERAL STRIKE, APRIL 1.

I am not in a union. My boss will freak out. But we CAN NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!

GENERAL STRIKE, APRIL 1.

Do not go to work. Do not shop. TELL YOUR FRIENDS. TELL EVERYONE. It's just one day, but it's the only way to stop these thieves!!!

GENERAL STRIKE, APRIL 1.

In all friendliness and with due respect, people:
If you don't like it in Ontario, move.

If you don't like it in Canada, move.

No, really, pack up and move.

You're free. I won't stop you from moving and I sure won't beg you to stay.

Eric
Ok if everyone limits their gasoline purchases, No more vacations. Quits eating out and smoking,grow out hair long, don't sell your house,work out at home,don't take a taxis, quit buying papers or magazines and who uses snail mail anymore anyway Guess I'll be the fat guy in long hair sitting at my computor cause I will be paying extra for the internet. It's a great budget. Trying to fake us out with a $1000 bribe.Dump Dalton

PrairieDog-prairies
Al in Oshawa. Catholic Schools already get funding. The Conservatives simply wanted to extend it to others. What is good for one school board, is good for all. Now Ontario will pay the price for that issue

Angela
I am a small tourist business owner. In the summer months my hydro bill alone is between $2000 and $2800 dollars per month. 8% pst will cost me an extra $160.00 in one month alone. That's without propane, telephone, internet,oil etc etc.

Anyone that thinks this is a good thing is an absolute idiot. This could kill many small tourist businesses in all parts of Ontario. I'm furious that people are breathing a sigh of relief that they won't have to pay sales tax on diapers but are not even focusing on utility bills. The new harmonized tax on commercial rentals and utilities is going to give the province buckets of money for them to waste. If it costs you $300.00 to fill your oil tank now you can add another $18.00. Buy a $40.00 book and you won't have to pay and extra $3.20. I don't have to buy a book but I do have to heat and power my home 12 months of the year.

71 liberals sat on a wall!
First of all I want to thank all the ignorant fools who voted this government back into power! Thankfully in my riding we are PC represented and my voted counted!! I;m glad to see that no one see's this $300 or $1000 as a good thing because it is a lame attempt at masking the truth. ONTARIO IS SCREWED!! People were upset when the Harris government left a 2 billion deficit and I really hope people don't forget this next election and for years to come! The double D's (Dalton & Dwight) should stand for doom & destruction.

David C (Ottawa)
57 Billion for 13,000,000 people? Compare that to Alberta's surplus and a population of 4,000,000. I think its a good time to leave this province. I can't imagine what the taxes are going to be in order to just service the additional debt? Very scary. This province is sinking fast. The financial management of this by the gov't is nothing less than criminal.

G-RANT
Yes, taxes suck, but they're a necessary evil. If you think it would be any different if the NDP or PCs were in power, give your head a shake. Everybody wants the best in this province (e.g., infrastructure, health care, education) but refuses to accept that this is paid for by our taxes. I acknowledge that things aren't perfect, but imagine what it would be like if there was a cut in funding (does nobody remember the Harris years?). If you don't like it in Ontario, quit your whining and move to Alberta.

Abby
All i have to say is... they are ripping us off yet once again! I currently have a young family and my husband and i struggle as it is to feed, clothe ect... two kids.Yet we don't even own our owh home because we cannot afford to own one due to the raise in prices to begin with, and with the possible threat of him losing his job in the mines. And any family or single person would agree with me and saying that i don't get where the government gets 1k from, seeing as the average single person already spends more than 1k in taxes a year. think about it!? (Land taxes for those who own their homes!? hmmmmm)

Bob R (Cardinal)
Here we go again GOD McGuinty has missed the boat !!!!! money is already scarce so why not make it scarcer by taxing everything we can't live with out, electricity, oil, gas especially for us pensioners. Why not reduce all MPP's salaries after all they did give themselves a nice raise recently. Well a least he didn't up our OHIP premium with another tax.
Let us decide if it's a workable budget put your dictatorship on the line.

KL
Mabye if voter turnout in the last Provicial election didn't set a new all time low of 52.6%(beating the 1923 59.7% record)we wouldn't be having this conversation. We are partialy if not wholely responsible for allowing this current government to miss-manage and drive Ontario into the being a have-not province. Please remember this the next time you decide to stay at home and watch your Leafs game instead of excercising your right to vote!
Wings Fan.

Margaretha
Thank heaven summer is coming so I can leave the car at home
Will be growing my hair ,gray will have to stay
Might keep the internet.
Welcome to Ontario

Denis P
So, Ontario Liberals are going to implement policies the Harper Conservatives have been trying to get them to do for years. What goes around...comes around.

B Martin
$300 pathetic dollars in return for all this tax Dalton is going to lump on me. I retire next year and it looks like I will be moving to Alberta.

Dave
Thanks Dalton. Not only am I out of a job, but now my living costs have gone up. Thank you for being so in touch.

Matt
Typical Liberal garbage.

They dangle $1000 rebate cheque in front of the voters, jusy hoping we don't realize that we will be paying THREE TIMES THAT much every year, now having to pay PST on items which were previously exempt.

M M B Ont
Let's see if I got this right. Now we will be hit with an 8% tax on Gas, heating oil and many other things. This after we have just been 'hit' in Ontario with a price hike by Ontario Hydro on the amount of power used and another 1-3 % Hike on the delivery of hydro! This is by the approval of the wonderful Liberal gov't under McGuinty !! Isn't it wonderful to live in Ontario where our Politicians think money grows on trees and that we people don't deserve anything in life but TAXES !!!!! Never trust the Liberals!

Tim
I lived in NS when they introduced the harmonized tax. Overnight gas went up 4 cents a litre and it was about what we are paying now. Overnight my electricity bill went up dramatically. I said to hell with this we are moving to Ontario Hmmmm I guess its time to move on again.

Maggy Northern Ontario
For all you liberal supporters out there, here we go again, lies and broken campaign promises. I don't think people would have minded if they dropped the provincial tax a bit before harmonizing the two taxes.

I'm really angry with the liberal government. All they want to do is spend.

They should be lowering taxes specifically on cars and houses to get people who can afford to spend to go out and buy. A short term moratorium on the PST for new automobiles could have possibly went a long way in helping Ontario's beleaguered auto industry.

We can take solace we are not alone our friends south of the border voted liberal (democrats) and are also going to pay through the nose TAXES, TAXES, and MORE TAXES.

Liberals are all about spending, deficits and taxes.

AND

I'd like to know what the Liberals are doing with the Health Tax they slid in a few years ago, as our health care system continues to deteriorate rapidly. Did any of this money go towards health care???

I was going to go for a ride to blow off some steam, but realized I can no longer afford it as I will have to pay more for gas.

GUTSHOT! in Thunder Bay
Does this mean we will have to pay GST where we never had to also?

In Ontario if you buy a used car in a private sale, all you "luckily" had to pay was the PST on the amount the government said it was worth.

If its "harmonized" then if you bought a used vehicle privately for $20,000, you will have to pay an additional 7% now (and every subsequent time the vehicle is sold in its life)

and they want to offset this and everything else with $300???

Do the prairies want a good auto mechanic? Im ready to move, and I can start Monday

Dan Sarnia
Is this not the man prior to being elected the first time said "I will not raise taxes nor will I lower them" Thanks again Liberals.

Don
When can we get Mike Harris or Bob Rae back?

Ron Kilby
What are the liberals going to do for old age people,we can barely make ends meet now.

yahuan
In any budget, municipal,provincial or federal, the singles are always forgotten......What percentage of Ontario's population do we represent?

thinker
I took a pay cut as well as a small cut in hours just so I can stay employed.I paid last years taxes and even paid for the health care tax even though it hasn't changed anything.For all my sacrifices the thanks I get from mcsquinty is "bend over cause here it comes again"I think its time citizens of ontario take a stand.Lets get half a million angry people at queens park demanding that the government do as we the electorate say.Enough is enough.Let revolt like they do in france.Take this province back by force,but alas most will whimper and roll over for a dose of government unless the majority do feel like taking a stand!!!!I'm in!!!

VERY MAD
My electric bill is already criminal now the robbers of the Dalton gang are going to rob me blind when I buy my gas. WHO voted for these idiot minded fools.

A proud Conservative
Hey all you Liberal belly achers out there. Did you ever hear the saying, you reap what you sow? Ontario voted against Tory in the last election on ONE issue. Funding of religious schools. That was the biggest issue for them. It would have been a lot cheaper to support these schools then to put up with the sleezy, lying, deceitful arrogant McGuinty and his band of crooks.
They are so out of touch with reality, it is pathetic. The next election should be very interesting as most people keep voting for the same old piece of crap.
You did it after he screwed us over with his famous health care tax. How bloody stupid were all people who voted for him a second time. Some people never learn.
Now it is time to shut the hell up and put up with this band of Liberal no brains.

Alain Marenger Russell Ontario
This is so typical give from one hand take back from the other. Isn't it time to come to reality have we not been gouged enough with the price of gas, electricity,natural gas and so on and now something else internet where are your brains the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. If Canadians had guts we would all stay home two extra days a week to save on gas and see how our Government would react then we give it away elswhere and take it from our pockets wich are already empty what a bunch of Clowns. Get a life and come to the real world.I,m sure that we are the Carnival of the world no need to go and watch a clown show all we need to do is watch the news and follow our politics.

André in Ontario
This is a very bad budget for all of Ontario. This band of liar are going to bankrupt this province. And to those who voted for this guy, you did it once it's a mistake & twice you're a fool. Does this remind you of the country down south that actually voted Bush in twice!!

Doug BC
It's been said the "we get the government we deserve".
For several decades we have elected the party that promised us the most "free" social programs,and ignored those who warned us that their could come a day when we would regret the massive debts we were accumulationg.
And those warnings came form a lot of people,not just Conservatives.John Turner and John Manley were Liberals with the same concerns.
No,I'm not a big fan of Mr.Harpers,and I did spend the vast majority of my life supporting the Liberal Party very actively in every federal election.
Well my friends,all the chickens have come home to roost.It's time to pay the piper for all of our past excesses.And sadly,it's the people we thought would benefit from all those "free social programs that are now going to suufer the most damage.
How many more decades will take for Canadians to finally figure out that "there is no no such thing as free"??
BC Liberals have been adding to debt too.But not a huge amount,and,unlike the NDP of the p[ast,at least I can look out and see new roads,bridges,and public transit.I still don't like the debt,but at least I can see what I'm paying for.
We're also seeing more user fees,but some lower tax rates.Local government is a problem because they still keep addsing to property and transit taxes.
It's not good anywhere on the planet,so I'm reluctant to offer comparisons.Perhaps the man from Ontario who now lives in BC would do better at that.
But,I side with Harper on one major issue.If we did not have this massive debt we would be better equipped to deal with this nasty recession.I see no Liberal west of BC even willing to consider that.

Kris
All I can say is, we Ontarians are really, really stupid. Wow.

peter in BC
You know, you Ontarians can dump your provincial government. It is possible and force another election. Just because he was elected does not mean he has to stay in for the whole term. Get rid of him and his infinite new taxes that he has imposed and find a new governing body that will govern for the people rather than for Harper and his band of idiots. It is time for the people to have a government stand up for them and not for businesses. Hey, let's face it, all those savings will NOT be passed on to the consumers. Prices never go down, so why bother? And in the end, they only transfer those taxes they have to pay on to the consumer, so what exactly are they doing by harmonizing the taxes?

Raybees
Congratulations all you Ontario fools! That's what you get when you continue to vote for McSlippery. Enjoy paying all those taxes to your liberal government.

Alicia
Politicians are not economists, nor are they business people... which means they don't know what they're doing. I think that if Ontario were run like a business there would be more efficiency and less waste. It's too bad that John Tory is no longer in politics. That kind of business experience would be invaluable with all those inadequate, academic pencil-pushers parading as politicians.

GF
"Make the BuyOntario program mandatory."

Did anyone else catch this?

Pretty hypocritical considering last week it was revealed the McGuinty government awarded a contract to a company in China to make Ontario provincial flags.

db
Lets see we get a one time bribe cheque. Then we pay thousands more for the rest of our life in increased heating, gas prices etc.. how stupid do the Liberals think we are?

Ron in Sask.
Right at the time that the Saskatchewan delegation is in Ontario recruiting workers. Thanks for the help Dalton.

Maggy Northern Ontario
May be our Premier D'Jour should have thrown in a few McGuinty Days like the old Rae Days if he wanted fast cash.

Wake up Ontario - Liberals are not the way to go. Canada wake up - Don't get fooled by the Federal Liberal Leadership Mikee! Show your support for conservatism. Just watch what is happening in the US right now under the new democratic liberal party. Not looking good. It's all been lip service, more campaigning and yet nothing is getting done other than raising taxes.

Terry
To all the people that voted for Dalton... As the saying goes be careful what you wish for you just might get it

northst*r
Your damned if you do and damned if you don't!!!

At least Ontario tells you where the money will go NOT like the Federal Conservative.

You guy's on here are just whinning and just think of yourself...
Your a bunch of sore losers...

We're a very rich Country and we have to share...

Well done Dalton...
Your looking for the Provinces welfare for the future!!!
Congrat....

Lynn in Hamilton
The east coast has been doing this for years.... as one person put on here, you don't like? move. You all want free this, free that.... gotta pay for it some how so all I gotta say is suck it up buttercup

R Dow
There is no good time to raise anyones taxes or add new taxes. I would expect nothing more from the backstabbing Liberal goverment than we have in Ontario. Does anyone remember no tax increases. I guess most people have been dumbed down enough that they would go along with anything a whining Liberal would say. Why not just tax everyone 80% or maybe 90% than we working stiffs could pay for everyone and everything.
Have a great day

Dave
Hey Tony C

That is pretty easy to say when you are the one in that bracket. Seniors who have payed into society yes give them the break. Welfare families who just think that they are baby factories so that they can get more. Give them nothing. The way i see it, if you contribute nothing, you get nothing.

PrairieDog-prairies
Where is that : "Yeah, move to Alberta and herd sheep or whatever"

You don't have to move to Alberta to heard sheep. There's more than enough in Ontario.

Dale Lane
Ridiculous.

This is ridiculous. How does this make any sense? Does this new house exemption mean brand new homes or homes for resale to the first time buyer. One thing left to say I Can't wait for the next election. Good bye McGuinty and the Liberal Liars, I mean government.

Greg Barker
Welcome to a generation of higher taxes on everything....we need to get rid of this lying,spending,know nothing government!

Windex
Am I understanding this right? The fed government therefore the Harper Government gave the Ontario government $4.3 Billion to help with this transition to HST? Does this mean the Harper government supported this?????

NEVER AGAIN!
Liberals = say anything to get elected... then when elected... tax and spend... then say anything to get elected etc etc....

Those who elected the "Fiberals" in Ontario deserve these OUTRAGEOUS taxes...

mommabear
okay, i cant help but laugh at those singles whining and moaning that they will only get $300 vs those of us with families will get a grand... HELLOOOOO it costs us more! I have a 12 year old who is so tall he wears mens clothing..that isnt tax exempt like our younger kids clothing. The gas bought to take the kids to their extra curriculars wont be tax exempt, nor thier hair cuts or movie tickets ect ect... Families Spend more per household then single people, hence the higher relief. All the things that wont be covered; families spend more on then a single person. I have no sympathy for the single person crying about the difference in relief ~

Al
I thought the liberals didn't trust Canadians with rebate cheques because we would spend the money on beer and popcorn. Take my advice and vote for an independent in your riding next election. It is our civil duty to vote and a dishonour to our service people and veterans when we don't. We have no obligation to support the three main parties who do nothing for regular Canadians. We need to send a message to the powers that be that the status quo is unacceptable.

I'm sinking throw me an anchor
I'm thrilled I don't live in Ontario.When are the people in the GTA and Southern ON going to wake up. This is the proverbial hammer in the head for a wake up call to quit voting for these idiots.

Don
Well, have'nt thought much of McGuinty for some time now but I agree that raising taxes on items such as gas and heating oil is a blatant grab for more tax revenue! Hardly the way to stimulate the Ontario economy.
I'll just have to bide my time until the election and then... :-)

Ian
I like how if the Conservatives run a deficit it's okay, but as soon as the Liberals do it's bad management.

MDC
Is Dalton and Dwight smoking crack ????

For a government that had promised no taxes when it first ran and won.. We are now facing another huge tax increase in 2010.

I really hope that they come to thier senses and drop this crazyness.

1. We are in a recession, people are loosing thier job which means no income after pogie runs out. How is incrased taxes gonna help them.

All this is gonna help is people who pad the pockets of the provincial liberal government.

Well, I just may have to look at moving to another province where I will not be paying so much extra to live.

Is this a plot by the NDP
What wonderful news. Seriously. Ontario you are getting exactly what you voted for so stop complaining. Put it on your to do list - next time I go to the polls I will not let the stupid side of me take over and vote Liberal. This guy makes our NDP Premier Gary Doer in MB look like a genius. Hey, YOU asked for it.

just another canadian.
Just think, the federal liberals wanted a carbon tax on top of the 13%!!!! Way to go Toronto. Maybe all the socialist in Toronto can find more ways to tax the province to death. Boris Miller must be envious of this tax grab.

tb
Come on ontario.Lets pick a day and amass a million people to queens park and demand Mcliar's resignation.Don't let any liberal out of queens park until he calls an election.If one tries to sneak out squash them.

Low Income Person
The Government should give the $1000.00 to the low income and homeless peoples and why not charge for every veicules on the freeway a $1 to the government......let the rich pay not the poor....

Betty McCullough
FARMING!!!!! Why do they never give anything to farmers!!!! With God's help we grow your food!!!! BUT, Oh we can get that from the U.S.!!! But Ontario food is fresher and better!!!! Quebec helps their farmers They will not let us send our pigs into Quebec now!!!Why can't Ontario help their farmers???????????? Pigs sale for the same as they did years ago or less But the grain goes up!!!! I could say More But Why Ontario will not help us!!!

Prof. Pye Chartt
TAX ME, I'M STUPID

A special thank-you to all the stubborn and obstinate little weenies who voted for Deceitful Dalton. By elevating this political and ideological loser to Premier you added another nail to Ontario's economic coffin.

After you electoral morons have finished salivating over your $1,000 bribe, you'll realize that you're getting your pocket picked AGAIN and that you're worse off, along with your province.

What a bunch of poor saps and suckers Ontarians are. Deceitful Dalton lied to us about taxes, smiled, put on a rubber glove, and then proceeded to violate our financial sanctity once again.

Sly? No. A snake.

Brett
If the upper class complains any louder, I think it may cause an earthquake. You know what these sales taxes are targeted at? Consumer items. Granted, the gas and oil taxes are a bit ridiculous, we pay enough for those already. But all the other stuff... fast food? Eat at home instead. Tobacco? Quit smoking. Haircuts and pedicures? Vanity can take a holiday. Real estate commissions? I don't think too many agents are crying poverty. I could go on, but suffice it to say that people will either have to suck it up or learn to spend more wisely. Nobody likes taxes, but nobody hates adequate social services either. Sales tax increases and decreases are targeted at those who spend the most money and therefore those who have the most money, plain and simple. You don't like it? Tighten the purse strings.

LD from Brampton
It's time to have a revolution and stop this madness. Time to have a new Government. Let's see the politicians live on $10.00/hour. No expense accounts here and see how they make out. Many of us cash cows did not get raises nor do we see any in the future. If you have a job, you count yourself lucky. So go ahead with your stupid tax and really encourage people to go spend to stimulate the economy!!! Dalton has got to go. I agree - we should have an April 1st STRIKE. Heck, let's do it the 1st of every month.

Dave, Niagara
I did not vote for Dalton Mguinty, and think he has done severe damage to the province of Ontario since he was first elected. However, I have to admit that I am getting a laugh out of reading all of these complaints. NEXT TIME, Ontarians go to the polls, lets do ourselves a favour and send a strong message of displeasure for the tax and spend, economy wrecking policies of the Liberal Party. ABL...Anything But Liberal, in the next election.

Owen Burmania
Despite all of the crappy incentives for the taxpayer, you all will now pay an additional 8% whenever you hire anybody to perform service work on anything that you own or anything you want installed at your home or cottage. A $10000.00 project will now cost you $11300.00 instead of $10500.00 I'm having a flashback of 1991 recession era politics.

Ian
Tony C is either out to lunch or a Liberal staffer. To take the time to write a post and have the nerve to say that this is a good budget is insane! I have to laugh at all of you that voted for Mcguinty because John Tory had the nerve to talk about faith based schools. They are opening African Canadian schools under the Liberal watch and nobody says a thing! It's obvious that Ontario got what it deserved and you'll have to live with it for another 2+ yrs. What did you like about McGuinty last time that made you give him another majority? The new health tax perhaps? Oh well enjoy your wonderful Liberal government.

MD
Hey Ontario...stop complaining..you voted him and the Liberals in! Maybe better luck next time.

Edward in Ottawa
Not sure how the provincial government can enforce a "Buy Ontario" rule after having yelled long and loud about the notion that the USA might introduce a "Buy America" rule that would contravene NAFTA.

Introducing taxes in this manner at this time is dumb, dumb, dumb........

Ian
So this tax harmonization will be revenue neutral eh? Why do it then? Whenever I hear the term revenue neutral, my spidey senses start to tingle. It's another hocus pocus tax grab just like the health tax that wasn't a tax but a premium then wasn't a premium but a tax after all. Smoke and mirrors.

Alysha Ont
Hey all... send your comments on this Harmonized Tax to Dalton McGuinty and let him know what each thinks of what he is doing to Ontarians. Posting on here is one thing but I doubt if he reads a word of these blogs. He needs to hear from each and everyone who is opposed to his Tax grab !

Pissed Canuck
This is probably the worst case of vote buying I have ever seen in my entire life by any government in any country. If the people are actually going to swallow this, they are more shallow than they think they are.

Geoff
Dalton assumped (an he was right) that the public would not be able to remember his last big lie. You remember now, "read my lips, no tax increases" before the election and then the biggest increase in taxes after the election (health care tax) and now he's betting you will not remember again.

My guess is he is probably right!

You get what you elect people!

Chris
I will remember this Dalton the next time we go to the polls. I am a proud liberal supporter and I cannot believe that I completely forgot about the Health "premium" that he introduced years ago; I was going to vote for the liberals in the next prov. election.

I'm sure voters will never forget about this and the next party to rule Ontario will be the PC.

As a liberal, I guarantee everyone that I will vote PC in the next prov. election. I am still a Liberal federally, though.

Bob in Harley
These morons in Toronto are beginning to make Harper look like an angel. When Dalton and his side kicks get through Ontario will clearly be a have not province begging for others to bail it out. Sure glad I didn't vote for him!

JN
peter in BC said:
"You know, you Ontarians can dump your provincial government. It is possible and force another election. Just because he was elected does not mean he has to stay in for the whole term."

Please Peter: tell me how one can dump a majority government short of a revolution.

Thomas C
Well, my commerce degree included courses in economics, so I can see the benefit of doing an HST system. Of course, the wisdom of the voters is for instant gratification, much like capitalism, and look south, see how that turned out.

People are complaining that he picked a recession to execute that tax reform. I say they don't know what they're talking about. If one is to introduce a tax reform that will have short term negative effects, you might as well do it in the midst of a recession rather than introduce it in a period of rapid economic growth, as it would have the effect of stopping or slowing down that growth.

Think of it as something like medicine. Sure, it can taste horrible going down, but long term effects are positive.

But, on a side note... sales tax harmonization... corporate tax cuts... gee, I wonder just who has been pressuring the Ontario government to do both of those for the longest of times.

Hate the Fiberals!
When will people learn? Vote in the "Fiberals" and tax hikes are coming.
But yet, this party has a cult following?
Wake up people!!
Dalton has to go....where do I sign?

John
The problem with Ontario are guys like Chris who claims that he "forgot" about the health premium. Was he living in a fog during the last election when there was lots of talk about that broken election promise? If it's true that he really forgot, who's to say that he won't forget agin about this new tax grab when the next election comes along.

taxpayer
Get your facts right....this isn't as bad as you are being led to believe. The Ontario government appears to have actually gained significant concessions from the feds to make this work....

Mary Clarke
Not surprising,are the die hard Lib supporters posting on here and trying to blame Harper and Flaherty for Dolton's decision.
McGuinty makes the decisions for Ontario,not Flaherty or Harper.
And a HST is a good idea,but only if it exempts the products not currently subjected to 2 taxes.

Cathy Wilson
Why do Liberals,Provincially and Federally continually break their biggest election promises?
McGuinty with his "no new taxes" and the Feds with their promises to eliminate the GST,and 12 years of promising National Day Care!
Never believe a Liberal,when they promise the moon.

RTYSB
As Canadian born and bred here, I've lived abroad and I'm making plans to get out, I'm sick of these idiots and taxes! It makes me sad to see Canada run into the ground by these incompetent poops. We are completely bankrupt of any leadership. As Canadians are way too passive. I’ve reach my breaking point.

Get Even
Totally unreal. Dalton's solution for his mess is to make everyone pay more.

I'm looking forward to an election.

Charlotte McKenzie
Many people will now have to choose between heating their homes in the cold Cdn. winter,or feeding their families.
Heating fuel is already extremely expensive,and now will cost another 8%.
We'll eventually see more families living in poverty.
Liberals don't care about avg. Canadians.

L.R.C.-ontar-arario
I think dalton and duncan must have graduated from the same school as bernie madhoff. the only difference is that bernie is where the double d's should be. come on ontario, if you elect these guys a third time it truly will be three strikes and your out ont.