For Immediate Release

January 15^th, 2010

(Ottawa, ON) - PC Revenue Critic and Ottawa MPP Lisa MacLeod expressed concern today at Revenue Minister John Wilkinson's sales pitch that Ottawa would benefit from an 8% tax hike on everyday items like fuel, home-heating and snow removal.

"The Liberals' own budget documents shows the HST is not revenue neutral and that it will take in $3.5 billion in new taxes as a result. That means there will be a dramatic cost to the middle class, seniors and small businesses when McGuinty's HST is implemented,” said MacLeod.

Last month, Ottawa lost 4400 jobs, according to statistics Canada and MacLeod fears more jobs could be lost after the HST implementation date of July 1st.

"Credible organizations like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Ontario Real Estate Association and the Ontario Homebuilders have all warned of negative consequences of this tax. Ottawa and Ontario simply can't afford anymore job losses," concluded MacLeod.

The combined GST and PST take affect on July 1st for a total 13% consumption tax.

Today, Ontario is $25 billion in the red, considered a have-not province and has brought in record tax hikes and spending sprees. The size of Ontario's Public Service is the largest it's ever been and annual spending exceeds $100 Billion.

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