I cannot believe the Ontario Minister of Revenue would have the nerve to say the citizens of Ontario have nothing to fear about the new 8-per-cent increase in the Harmonized Sales Tax because the increase will not affect the consumers’ day-to day living expenses. Don't believe him for a minute.

Politicians, we know on occasion, fib to us. Your electric bill, water bill and gas bill will have the new HST added July 1, 2010. The tax on clothing, cars, etc. will have the tax increased 8 per cent next July 1. There are hundreds of other goods and services that will have the HST added next July.

The Minister deceived us by saying: “Condo fees would not go up because of the HST. Wrong! Don’t ask a politician this if your condo fees will go up; ask your condo property manager or your condo executive. All services and goods that make up the monthly condo fees such as electricians, plumbers, painters and all other services and goods with go up with the new tax. Many condo managements are predicting an increase up to 10 per cent on monthly maintenace fees in 2010 because of this new tax.

The biggest insult of all to we citizens has to be the additional 8 per cent tax increase the provincial government is going to add July 1 on the debt retirement payment we now pay because of the former Ontario Hydro’s $38-billion debt. This is tax on tax on tax on tax on debt. Oh boy!

Jack Garner
Barrie