Ouellette Says HST is a Tax Grab on Summer Sports and Recreation

Dalton McGuinty’s greedy $3 billion HST tax grab will hurt families this summer. Ontario families struggling to pay their bills will have to pay more to enroll their kids in minor league sports like baseball, soccer and swimming.

Starting on Canada Day, recreational facility rental fees, such as those for baseball diamonds, soccer fields, pools and ice rinks, will all increase by 8 per cent. For most minor league associations, the increased costs of the HST will be passed on to parents.

At every step of the way, the Ontario PC Caucus has stood up and opposed this massive tax grab. Hudak called on Milton families to have their say how the HST will hurt them the most by participating in the Ontario PC online poll at www.daltonsalestax.com.

“Dalton McGuinty said it’s the parents’ duty to ‘step up to the plate’ and do their part by paying his new tax on minor league sports and recreation. Only a premier this out of touch, would make it even harder for Ontario children and families to stay fit”, stated Ouellette, “For some parents, these extra costs could make the difference between whether their child gets in the game or just sits at home.”

QUICK FACTS:

• The 8 per cent sales tax hike will now be applied to recreational facility rental fees, such as those for ice rinks, baseball diamonds and soccer fields.

• For example, Windsor ice rentals will go from $145 an hour to $156 an hour because of the HST and a family swim pass for the summer in Canada’s hardest hit economic region will now cost $10 more.

• The Ontario PC Caucus has launched an online poll where you can vote on what the HST will impact the most in your budget at www.daltonsalestax.com.

All across Ontario children are playing baseball or soccer this time of year. It’s a common sight in a family community like Oshawa.

Starting on Canada Day, family budgets will be hit hard, as they’re forced to pay higher taxes on gasoline, electricity, home heating, internet and thousands of other items.  Ontario families will have to stretch their budgets even further, if they want to enroll their children in community sports and activities.

Dalton McGuinty’s HST tax grab will add to the cost of enrolling your kids in baseball, soccer, swimming, ballet lessons, karate, and even our great Canadian past-time – hockey.

Starting on Canada Day, recreational facility rental fees, such as those for baseball diamonds, soccer fields, pools and ice rinks, will all increase by 8 per cent.

For most minor league associations, the increased costs of the HST will be unaffordable – and they will have no choice but to pass the costs on to parents.

The McGuinty Liberals preach the importance of physical activity for our youth, but at the same time they are making it more expensive for youth to play sports – but they exempted fast food from the HST.

And for some parents, these extra costs could make the difference between whether their child gets in the game or just sits at home.

Sadly, Dalton McGuinty said it’s the parents’ duty to ‘step up to the plate’ and do their part by paying his new tax on minor league sports and recreation. 

I say enough is enough.

Our Ontario PC Caucus has launched a new poll available on at www.daltonsalestax.com that provides a real voice to Ontario families. 

We want members of the public to share with us what part of the HST will impact the family budget. To date, more than 7,000 people have voted and what we see is folks are most worried about money on gas and home heating or air conditioning.

There is a better way. 

We will replace high taxes with lower taxes.

An Ontario PC Government will create more jobs and better jobs right here at home.

Together, we can give all families the real break – and the lower taxes – you dearly deserve. 

Thank you very much.