The HST Debate

Posted on: 06 November 2009 by Melissa Martin

We’re revisiting an Agenda episode on the Harmonized Sales Tax tonight. The HST has been a hot topic in Ontario politics this fall, one that has come up a few times online and on air on the Agenda.

Take a look at the collected blog posts and videos below for an Agenda HST primer:

In this blog post, featuring a web-exclusive video interview , Steve Paikin examined Revenue Minister John Wilkinson’s role in the HST pitch. Minister Wilkinson has the tough job of travelling the province and pitching the HST to Ontarians:

Producer Mark Brosens wrote a blog back on October 14th about aboriginals and the HST. Read his post to find out how the aboriginal community will be affected by this tax change.

Brosens first looked at the HST, including the question of aboriginal treaty rights, in the Inside Ontario blog on September 27th. The Hamilton Spectator reported that Ontario is locked into the HST at a rate of 13% for 5 years. Check out his post for more details:

Some thought the HST would be an issue in the St Paul’s bi-election to replace Michael Bryant. As Steve Paikin wrote in his blog on September 17th, that didn’t turn out to be the case.

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan also weighed in on the HST:

Our original program HST program turned out to be a great primer on the Sales Tax Harmonization. Check out the video for all the information you need to make an informed decision on the HST.

Online, one viewer commented:

"Finally I understand the 'what/how/why of this HST. And I now agree we must do it if Ontario is to recover.”

Another viewer said:

“I am watching your show on the HST and I am baffled by the ones that think this will be good. They keep saying that the tax reform is good and the HST is a job creator. I doubt this.”

And another comment:

“How can I be confident that the extra tax revenues I am generating will be spent wisely, I have lost faith in our governments and their spending habits. I am angered by the new tax only because I am disturbed to think that in a couple years another scandal will break and I will hear about “yet” another weakness in our governments’ ability to manage our money.”

Tonight’s debate includes 6 experts on Tax Harmonization. Three are for harmonization and the rest are against it. Watch it tonight and tell us what you think about the HST.

Permalink | Add Comment Now | Comments[3]

Comments

HST

The HST will be a good thing if it rationalizes/simplifies the tax collection mechanism, and emphasizes taxing internal consumption while relieving the tax penalty seen at the corporate mfg. level on exports. Reducing tax on export goods will make them more competitive in the global market, helping to create jobs at home. Of course the average voter only sees "taxes" and runs for cover ! So we need to separate the two aspects. Of course during the transition period governmnets will try to flim-flam voters as usual and try to collect as much as possible. Ultimately voters really need to re-think our favourite past time: " Free government programs"

posted by DieterH on 07 November 2009 at 2:37 PM

The booboisie is bleating again.

My premise: Far too many Ontario voters demand a raft of government services, while seizing every opportunity to bitch about taxation levels.

It's my impression that the worst offenders are those with moderate to high incomes,who are caught up in consuming every new product or service that advertisers push into their faces. What is at stake is not their survival, but an extra week in Mexico or a second HD television set for the children.

The HST is eminently sensible. It is the product of consultations between provincial Liberals and federal Conservatives. It is no partisan project.

The positive ramifications of harmonising PST and GST are well beyond the ability of most critics to comprehend. In a few months time people will have gotten used to a single tax, and the moaning and groaning will end.

posted by Ex-T on 08 November 2009 at 2:41 PM

HST is awaking Ontario to vote..maybe a tax revolt in the making.

The tax is not revenue neutral. Tax cost will pass through to consumers and small business people are upset and angry, my observations as an accountant.

My economic view point is with the current global and Ontario deficit monetary easying under management of central banks, the coming inflationary aspect to resources and energy guarantee this is an inflationary tax soon to be and a future personal and small business tax levy to repay at some future date when McGuinty is long gone. I call these considerations tax increases and inflationary that will hurt any chance for a meaningful recovery.

posted by Bruce67 on 09 November 2009 at 5:25 PM