|
‘Bay Street Budget’ Leaves Northwest Ontario Behind HST & Payroll Tax Increase to Hit Consumers and Small Business Hard
March 4, 2010
OTTAWA – New Democrat Members of Parliament John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) and Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay – Superior North) expressed disappointment in the federal Conservative government budget which they say is fiscally irresponsible, raises taxes, and neglects key economic sectors in Northwestern Ontario.
“The government has failed, again, to exercise fiscal responsibility and common sense when it comes to their budget process,” Rafferty said. “To anyone wondering a $54 billion deficit will do for the people of Northwestern Ontario, the answer is not much.” Hyer agreed, noting that the government continues to make the wrong decisions when it comes to taxation and job creation. “This budget was crafted on Bay Street and it shows. Banks are getting a huge tax break, but consumers and small business, especially in Northwestern Ontario are getting hammered with new tax increases. This is not a budget that will help create jobs in Northwestern Ontario,” he said.
The two MPs say that the budget fails in several respects, but most significantly fails consumers and small businesses by increasing taxes through measures that will implement the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario and British Columbia, and the raising the payroll taxes of every working Canadian.
“This is the smoking gun on the HST,” Rafferty said. “The federal money that Mr. McGuinty says is essential to the implementation of the HST is right there in black-and-white on page 182 and it will be coming in a confidence vote next week.” Hyer noted that any gestures made to the small business sector were largely symbolic, and any assistance would be dwarfed by the new payroll tax increase that will come into effect at the end of the year. “The Harper government said they wouldn’t raise taxes, but they are steamrolling ahead with the HST and a projected $19 billion E.I. premium hike starting at the end of the year that will harm small business and employment alike. Few things could slow job growth more.”
On the forestry file, Rafferty said the budget continues the Conservatives failed approach to forestry and provided no new initiatives to help create and protect jobs. “This government has seen 60,000 job losses in three years and has offered nothing to help the sector recover in the short to medium term,” Rafferty said. “There was no money, or even a plan, to counter crippling US subsidies, offer more loan guarantees, or otherwise help the forestry sector today. There was nothing.”
Rafferty and Hyer also expressed frustration that there was no plan or money allocated to assist workers of companies that are in various stages of bankruptcy or insolvency. “There was nothing to protect the pensions and back-wages of Canadian workers that have been left high and dry by insolvent companies.” Hyer said. Rafferty agreed, adding; “The Conservative government has officially washed their hands and decided it will not assist AbitibiBowater and the CEP eliminate their pension plan shortfall, and I think that is disgraceful.”
Both MPs have said they will take the week between the budget presentation and the final vote to further study the contents, but were clearly disappointed on first reading. “I will study it further over the coming days, and I hope that the Harper government will be open to ideas to improve the document.” said Hyer. That sentiment was echoed by Rafferty; “I’ll be holding townhalls throughout our riding this weekend to hear what the constituents of Thunder Bay – Rainy River have to say, but my initial reaction is that we deserve a more fiscally responsible government that has a plan to help our region, industries, and families participate in the recovery.”
|
|
Join Bruce on:
CONTACT BRUCE |
Constituency Office:
(Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
69 N. Court Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7A 4T7
Tel: 807-345-1818
Toll-free:
1-888-266-8004
Fax: 807-345-4752
bruce@brucehyer.ca
Parliamentary Office:
(No postage necessary)
Bruce Hyer, MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Tel: 613-996-4792
Fax: 613-996-9785
|
|
|
