Horwath, Hyer call on government to take HST off home heating
NDP MP Bruce Hyer, Thunder Bay-Superior North
Give Northwest Families & Small Biz a Break on Heating
THUNDER BAY,ON – Thunder Bay-Superior North federal MP Bruce Hyer and Ontario New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath say instead of giving Thunder Bay families the cold shoulder, governments should do the right thing and take HST off home heating bills.
Horwath and Hyer met with Dianne Vosilla at her home and small business, Strawberry Creek Smoked Meats.
“In these tough times it’s just wrong to stick a new tax on hydro and home heating bills. New Democrats are calling for a simple step to make life more affordable for Thunder Bay families and small business owners,” said Horwath Monday, upon adding natural gas and heating oil to her existing campaign to take the HST tax off of hydro.
“Here in Ontario, home heating costs have risen 17% in six months, in large part because of the HST.” said Hyer. “Governments should be making life more affordable, not more expensive. We’re calling for the federal and provincial governments to roll back the HST on home heating. The federal government must also re-instate a national energy retrofit program to help families make their homes more energy efficient, and save even more.”
Removing the HST from hydro and home heating would save an average Thunder Bay family with two children $220 per year.
“New Democrats on both levels of governance have been fighting for tax fairness ever since the HST was introduced.” remarked Hyer. “But it’s as though governments aren’t really listening yet to what people are saying about their rising cost of living. Instead, they’ve just been piling on more costs.”
“You can cut a lot from your household budget, but everyone needs to heat their home and keep the lights on. As the snow flies and temperatures drop, Thunder Bay families are scrambling to pay their heating bills. They need immediate relief. Now’s the time to take the HST off of natural gas and home heating oil, and give Thunder Bay families a permanent break,” said Horwath.
Horwath urged residents to join the campaign to eliminate HST on hydro and home heating bills by visiting www.UnfairHST.ca
