It’s a contradictory start for the largest sales tax grab in Ontario’s history, which Dalton McGuinty and his senior cabinet ministers repeatedly have claimed will create 600,000 jobs. In addition to this month’s job losses, the HST is also proving to have a negative impact on housing sales, which dropped, for example, by 34% in Toronto in July.
Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Caucus have long maintained that Dalton McGuinty’s HST will kill jobs.
QUOTES:
“Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Caucus have been saying for over a year that the HST is bad for Ontario families and will kill jobs. Whether you are looking at job numbers or housing numbers, we are already seeing the devastating impact of Dalton McGuinty’s HST tax grab.” --Peter Shurman, MPP Thornhill and PC Critic for Economic Development and Trade
“Dalton McGuinty promised his HST tax grab would create 600,000 imaginary jobs. In fact, the HST has cost Ontario 30,000 real jobs.” --Peter Shurman, MPP Thornhill and PC Critic for Economic Development and Trade
QUICK FACTS:
According to Statistics Canada, Ontario lost 30,000 full-time jobs in July 2010, including 7,700 jobs in the construction sector.
Ontario’s unemployment rate increased to 8.5%, making it 6.25% greater than the national average.
A recent survey of real estate agents (by Royal LePage Real Estate Services) found 86% of all respondents believe the HST is having an impact on their business.
CONTACT:
Christine Bujold
christine.bujold@pc.ola.org
