I am dismayed at the new HST. At times when people are trying to cut their expenditures, the Ontario government has decided to increase them. As a freelance editor, I have a number of non-business clients. Fees to them will automatically go up by 8% (and they don't recover this money).
So, in one fell swoop, you are taking money directly from my client and indirectly from me since I no longer have the ability to raise my fees to the client. On top of this, our hydro and heating charges will soar, not to mention insurance (because the Federal government will start taxing that). And the numerous other services we all use. I don't even want to think about gasoline. Adding new taxes is no way to deal with a recession. It will just compound the difficulties we are all facing.
Elaine – Toronto

As a taxpayer, I carry more that my fair share of tax burden, and yet I will be obliged to pay even more with HST.
Phillipe – Toronto

It has recently occurred to me that the recent announcement by the Ontario legislature to harmonize the retail sales tax and the GST will more than likely apply to all commercial rents throughout Ontario. Can you confirm that this is the intent of the Government of Ontario. If true, this will have a tremendous impact on all small businesses in the province and will impact Toronto hugely especially in view of the property tax increase that is pending.
Some are saying that this is probably the biggest provincial tax grab in Ontario's history. I will wager that this will bring the Government of Ontario down when we go to the polls next year.
Ron – Toronto

Mr McGuinty,
I do not agree with the new HST and wish you to put a halt to it. It is totally unfair and is just a tax grab. You in government only know how to increase taxes. You must reduce them.
Please reconsider and remove or just tax the items that were previously taxed and not the all encompassing new tax.
Think clearly. Do not grab our hard earned money.
David – Toronto

This is a very large tax grab instituted by the Liberal Government. It means allot of money coming out of taxpayer’s pockets on a daily basis. Why didn’t the Premier have the nerve to increase income tax by the same amount and try to explain that to Ontario citizens?
“We know that, for some items and for some people, it will mean price increases. That's why items like diapers, children's clothing, infant car seats and books are exempted," the premier's office message says.

This is a typical statement in our government’s attempt to down play the huge impact of the HST. Does the Premier actually believe that the voting citizens of Ontario are that naïve or stupid? These exempt items are a tiny fraction of the situations that will be hugely affected by the HST and we, the taxpayer and voters know it.
Bud – Peterborough

I am sorry Dalton, but your proposed harmonization just does not cut it for me. As a Senior, the cost of living goes up yearly on everything we have now. Heat/hydro, property taxes, water, plus day to day living expenses such as food, gas, various insurances, etc. Your proposal is nothing but a tax grab leaving us seniors in a bigger hole than ever. As my wife and I exist on our Canada Pension plan only, I want to thank you for putting us even further in the hole....
Bob – Hamilton

I think it is time that our government starts listening to the people that they are WORKING FOR! People of Ontario are CLEARLY AGAINST McGuinty’s proposed HST. We don’t want to be BRIBED into accepting just to get $1000.00 a year to try to make up for it.
Jeanette – Aylmer

I am writing as a concerned citizen about the blended Sales Tax. I understand that it is going to impose even more of a burden on my day to day life.

I do not know how much more can be drained from my little amount I have left to live each month. After mortgage, car, property taxes, insurance, hydro, gas, gasoline and telephone; we only have a few bucks a month to eat and live with.
How come we have to keep cutting back. Why is more and more being drained off of my living money but none is being put back?
John – Hamilton

You have stated that the new sales tax is value added and I would say that the Provincial Government is the only one receiving the value added. Increased sales tax will discourage prospective new business not encourage it. The new proposed harmonized sales tax can be dressed up any way the Liberal Party would like, but it is a tax grab.
Debbie – Kenora

the one-time $1,000 rebate does not come close to covering even one year of our tax increases. Perhaps it would be better to keep the, dare I say it, (rebate/bribe) with my money, and lower the annual tax increase? This approach is merely a suggestion for your unlikely consideration.
Doug – Kanata

It would appear that neither the Provincial or Federal government cares that once again a tax will be introduced that will become the burden of Mister average. Has everyone forgotten that Businesses and Corporations have tax write offs not available to us? Surely no one in government is that far removed from reality, or are they?
John – Tillsonburg

We continue to be taxed, taxed and taxed again, all the while while losing our jobs and barely being able to afford to feed our families as it is currently let alone in 2010 when we will begin paying more for NON LUXURY Essentials such as Bread, Milk, Eggs etc, and will be charged the full tax on everything, not as it is currently where I can go to some food retailer and as long as I’m under $4.00 I only pay GST. I for one am sick of these endless attacks on us hard working, debt riddled Ontarians.
Rob – Hamilton

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