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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 11, 2009 · 6 18, www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Wrong time for HST As if Oakville Liberal MPP Kevin Flynn didn't have enough to worry about in the next provincial election. First he will have to convince voters in Oakville that the billion dollar eHealth scandal was just an unfortunate blip on the screen and that his Liberal Party is really fiscally responsible. Second, he has to overcome the wrath of southeast Oakville voters for dumping a 900-megawatt gas-fired power plant in their backyards. Now, with the introduction this week of the 13 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), Flynn and the rest of his Liberal caucus colleagues will be busy defending themselves from angry taxpayers. Flynn's government tried to curb the anger somewhat last week by exempting a cup of coffee, fast food meals under $4 and newspapers from the extra eight percent tax the HST would add. Slated to take effect mid-2010, the new harmonized tax (HST) will shift the responsibility of the PST from industry to taxpayers, adding an additional eight per cent to the cost of everything from heating homes to haircuts to buying a house to funerals. The provincial government would have us believe the HST, along with a slew of tax cuts for business and tax credits for individuals will offset the pain of a higher consumer tax and create more jobs in Ontario. To offset this pain they are even offering taxpayers a one-time bribe (tax rebate) of $1,000 for families. In traditional government double-speak, the Liberals are introducing the HST legislation as the Ontario Tax Plan for More Jobs and Growth Act. So far, not many people are buying it. For the past week, the Oakville Beaver has been receiving numerous letters to the editor protesting the implementation of the HST next July. Their arguments are simple -- they cannot afford another tax. Unlike the provincial government, which has the option of levying new taxes when the money runs out, most people must live within budgets or even tighten their belts during lean times. The HST might be easier to swallow if its introduction hadn't come on the heels of the billion-dollar eHealth scandal. It's hard to believe a government is crying poor when it has millions and millions of dollars to recklessly squander on consultants. Maybe the HST does makes sense in the long run to help ease the burden of Ontario's struggling manufacturing sector. We're not convinced that now -- when many Ontario households are struggling to make ends meet -- is the right time to add another tax on consumers. Unfortunately, the introduction of the HST basically comes down to whether the Liberal government can be trusted to do what's best for the people of Ontario. Based on their recent track record, though, we're not so sure we can do that anymore. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council.The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Letter to the editor Oppose HST With regards to impact of the suggested HST legislation in Ontario. We will be encouraging increased cross-border shopping especially now with a lower exchange rate. We consumers cannot take further taxation, especially during this time of recession in Ontario and Canada. I know that we need more consumer spending, but I, for one, will continue to reduce mine and will seek every opportunity to find alternative avenues to avoid this further tax grab. We also will be encouraging further the underground economy. I cannot understand this introduction or even consideration of the HST by the Ontario Liberals at this time especially while the Ontario economy is going through such a recession and indicators that the worst is not over. I will be writing the Premier and my local MPP of my concerns about the suggested introduction of HST and that I will not be voting for them in the next election. WILLIAM J. ( BILL ) SHARP Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via email to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Power plant will uproot Clearview community It will be 22 years on Nov. 30 that I have lived here in Clearview. At the time when I purchased this home, the salesman made my husband and I sign a document saying that we would not hold them responsible for the pollution that was in this area already. Now after 22 years of growth in and around Oakville and Mississauga, we are about to get this 900 megawatt power plant. Our government, which I thought was there to look out for our well being, will be responsible for the effects on our health if this power plant goes literally into our backyards. No Power plant in our neighborhood, period. Clearview is not just the name of my neighbourhood, we have a beautiful clear view right down to the lake and I don't want to lose it, as well as our good health. I'm sure I speak for many people who have lived for many years in their neighbourhoods of just how deep the roots become of family home, neighbours and community that are so important to us. Premier Dalton McGuinty, by allowing this to happen in our neighbourhood you are making us have to choose between the loss of our health, if we stay, or the loss of community by having to dig up these roots that have become like the deep roots of the ever present oak in Oakville. Neither is a choice I wish to make. MARGE BOBKO HST is punitive tax measure The recent announcement that newspapers and "meals" under $4 will not be subject to the eight per cent portion of the HST is an insult to the intelligence of every Ontarian. The HST is a tax on the necessities of life. The HST is a threat to those least able to pay: non-union working families, students and especially seniors. The tax on fuel is a multiplier that will even push up the price of food. It is in the interest of every citizen to have this punitive tax either substantially changed or eliminated. WILLIAM SINCLAIR