On Wednesday night on “The Agenda With Steve Paikin,” Dalton McGuinty’s top tax advisor Jack Mintz was out selling the tax. When asked what next major tax initiative he would take, Mintz replied: “I have looked at increasing taxes in some areas. For example, I argued for moving toward more carbon taxation.” Glen Murray expressed support for the tax over twitter, and at the Liberal policy convention, there was also talk of this tax.
In BC, where the carbon tax applies to gasoline, diesel, natural gas, home heating fuel, etc, the hit to the family budget has been significant. BC’s carbon tax on gas drives up the price at the pump for BC families by 7.24 cents a litre. With Ontario families already paying $1.20 a litre for gas today, they cannot afford another tax from Dalton McGuinty.
In the next election, Ontario families will have a clear choice between the tax and spend McGuinty Liberals who think that families have an endless ability to pay and Tim Hudak and the Ontario PCs who will offer real relief to families.
QUOTES:
“Given Dalton McGuinty’s track record on the eco-tax, the health tax and HST, we know that he is hardwired to tax. If McGuinty is re-elected this fall, a carbon tax on Ontario families is next.” -- Jim Wilson, MPP Simcoe-Grey
“The McGuinty Liberals have said more about their plans for a carbon tax than they ever did about their plans for the HST and Health Tax. Dalton McGuinty will tax again.” -- Jim Wilson, MPP Simcoe-Grey
QUICK FACTS:
Three clear indications that Dalton McGuinty will hit a carbon tax next:
“It is time for all of us to start to get comfortable with two words: Carbon tax. Without it, all these dreams of a green tomorrow are hallucinations.” (Glen Murray, Toronto Star, May 27 2007).
American author Jeff Rubin spoke at the Liberal policy Conference in Collingwood in May 2010 and argued that the people of Ontario “need a tariff” on carbon. The assembled Liberal membership gave that call an ovation.
“I have looked at increasing taxes in some areas. For example, I argued for moving toward more carbon taxation.” (Jack Mintz, The Agenda With Steve Paikin, February 23, 2011).
CONTACT: Christine Bujold
christine.bujold@pc.ola.org
