Provincial NDP leader listens to concerns
Dec 01, 2009 - 01:50 PM
By Stefanie Swinson
OSHAWA -- For 17 years, Jackie Finn has been living off a GM survivor's pension. Her husband was an active worker at the Oshawa plant when he passed away at 52.
Ms. Finn lives alone now and likes to spend as much time as she can travelling.
"I want to see the world," she said. "Travelling is something I like to do now that I'm on my own. I just came back from spending time in Florida with my daughter."
The Oshawa woman was one of about 20 senior citizens who showed up recently to hear provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath speak about the proposed harmonized sales tax at St. Stephen's United Church on Simcoe Street North.
"The HST is a tax that is going to hurt people who are already struggling," said Ms. Horwath. "This government is just so out of touch with what is happening to people in this province. This is a tough economic time."
Dalton McGuinty's Liberal government has proposed the HST. It would combine both the provincial and federal sales tax on products and services.
The combined tax of five per cent GST and eight per cent Ontario sales tax wouldn't change the price on most items people buy, but many items, once exempt from sales tax, will no longer be so.
"They want to tax all kinds of goods and services that people really purchase day to day. Everything from Internet access to your haircuts to taking your dog to the vet ... it just goes on and on," she said.
Ms. Horwath expressed her opinion about the new tax and then listened as each senior in attendance told their stories about why they're so concerned.
"I've been able to maintain the first home that my husband and I bought and I'm very proud of it," said Ms. Finn. "With all these extra costs that are going to come in with the natural gas, the hydro, probably soon our water bill and everything else, you know, I'm worried I will lose my home. I feel he's (Mr. McGuinty) is kicking us when we're already down."
Ms. Finn said if the HST goes through she anticipates she will lose about $300 each month in tax based on the services she uses.
"It may sound silly to say it but I won't be able to travel like I want to," she said.
"I know a lot of people are worse off than me and that is scary. I will really need to cut back."
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