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The Ontario Liberal budget is in... TAX HIKES FOR ALL!
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| Jayx1 |
Liberals bring back health premium
A solemn Liberal election pledge to freeze taxes and balance Ontario's books was shunted aside today in a provincial budget that taps taxpayers for $9 billion over four years to finance a spending spree on everything from heart surgeries and hip replacements to home care and health centres.
An annual Ontario health "premium" will start coming off paycheques this summer, costing taxpayers between $300 and $900 a year depending on income, Finance Minister Greg Sorbara said as he delivered the government's all-important first budget.
The cost of cigarettes, alcohol and driver's licence renewals will also go up as part of the seven-month-old government's plan to inject billions into health and public education - what Sorbara described as more important priorities.
Sorbara was frank about the decision to abandon what observers have described as a cornerstone of the successful Liberal election campaign: a promise to leave taxes alone and eliminate the deficit in their first year.
It was either that or do what Ontario voters really wanted, he said: restore the fiscal fitness of the province's hospitals, clinics and classrooms.
"It's the reality of the work that we do," Sorbara said before his speech, insisting Ontario voters are prepared to give the Liberals the benefit of the doubt.
"I think our credibility, as we move towards enhancing the quality of public services, will only increase. I'm aware of the commitment; we're not able to keep the commitment."
Smokers will pay $2.50 more per carton of cigarettes starting Wednesday, while the cost of a bottle of wine will climb 15 cents and a case of beer 45 cents June 21. Together, both measures will generate $135 million for provincial coffers this year.
But it was the health premium scheme - worth $1.63 billion in the first year, climbing to $2.6 billion by 2008, and dedicated to paying for $4.8 billion in additional health-care spending over the next four years - that raised the hackles of political critics.
"I think this is the most regressive tax in Ontario history," said New Democrat Leader Howard Hampton. "This is a tax which will hit every modest and middle-income family. The government is literally picking the pockets of the wrong people."
The budget also forecasts a $2.2-billion deficit this year and lays out a plan to eliminate it by 2008 - a far cry from Premier Dalton McGuinty's controversial pledge during last fall's election campaign to balance the budget in the government's first year.
Running multi-year deficits and raising revenue are "choices that are inconsistent with our election commitments; we openly acknowledge that," Sorbara said in his speech.
"However, it would simply not be possible to deliver a balanced budget this year without destabilizing vital public services and perhaps even the economy itself. Such an approach would be irresponsible, and we reject it."
Conservative Leader Ernie Eves, who suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of the Liberals in October, could barely contain his contempt.
"Welcome to the new reality," the former premier sneered. "I guess the plan for change was all about changing the plan."
The cost of renewing a driver's licence in Ontario will also increase to $75 from $50, while reinstating a suspended licence will cost $150, up from $100. A host of small-claims court costs and fees will also be higher.
A $3.9-billion windfall resulting from the government's decision to lift the Conservative cap on hydro rates will be applied directly against the $6.1-billion deficit in the current fiscal year. From there, it falls to $2.1 billion next year and $1.5 billion the next before disappearing in 2008.
Hampton dismissed the plan as creative accounting and accused the government of using "the worst kind of Nortel tactics, the worst kind of Enron tactics" to shrink the deficit.
Chickenpox, meningitis and pneumonia vaccinations will also be available to Ontario children at a cost to taxpayers of $156 million over three years - roughly what the government will save by ending public health plan coverage for routine eye exams, chiropractic services and physiotherapy services offered outside hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Education reaped a somewhat smaller windfall in Tuesday's budget, including a four-year plan to spend $2.1 billion on shrinking class sizes, hiring 1,000 more teachers, improving numeracy and literacy rates and providing stable funding to school boards. |
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| starsearcher |
| quote: | | "I guess the plan for change was all about changing the plan." |
:stongue: :stongue: That's a good one...
Damn bastards...I don't want to pay no more...i'm gonna go pack my bags!!! :whip: |
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| rabbitjoker |
Woo..
Based on the preliminary information - it appears that my tax will be going up.
Add this to increased energy prices, increase sin-tax, increased user fees and I see a recession on the horrizon.
Why can't the Liberals realize that the reason our economy is robust is due to consumer spending (which is turn is due to the fair tax environment that has existed until today).
Turn off consumer spending and we're going to be in trouble. |
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| Jayx1 |
I reitterate.... WE NEED A GENERAL STRIKE to show these bastards power in numbers. If we shut down the provincial economy they will certainly start to listen to us.
$300-900 more per year in income tax??? MY GOD WHAT IS THIS?!
9 BILLION DOLLARS MORE IN DEFICIT???
Oh yeah, and even more beer tax.... why not hit the working man when hes trying to relax from working so hard to pay all the other taxes?
We need to send a message to Mcsquinty and all the other bastards out there.
KEEP YOUR PROMISES OR WE THE PEOPLE WILL STRIKE.
Where are our other political leaders? The opposition? The union leaders? We need people with gonads in this ing place because we are sinking fast. |
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| rabbitjoker |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Sorbara was frank about the decision to abandon what observers have described as a cornerstone of the successful Liberal election campaign: a promise to leave taxes alone and eliminate the deficit in their first year.
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I'm calling for the Liberals to call an election for breaking their #1 promise in their platform.
This is not acceptable. A "health deduction based on income" is just a slick name for an "increase in income tax". |
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| StereoPrincess |
| which one of you is the one screaming in the background of the broadcast? |
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| malek |
i don't agree with you RJ...
here's the growth of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
why Quebec ? because its the most heavily taxed province/state in North America.
-----------------ONT------QUE
1997-------------4.5------3.2
1998-------------4.8------3.2
1999-------------7.5------6.2
2000-------------5.6------4.7
2001-------------1.8------1.8
2002-------------3.6------4.0
2003-------------1.3------1.6
2004 (prev)------2.8------2.8
so while Ontario enjoyed a fairly low income tax, way lower than here in Quebec, there wasn't any dramatic differences between Quebec and Ontario in term of Growth. Worst, during the last three years, Quebec have equaled and even surpassed Ontario.
what does this mean? lowering taxes isn't a straight forward (magical) solution, it doesn't create wealth and growth by itself. To the opposite, bringing taxes up doesn't necessarly create a recession. |
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| j_spot |
alberta has no PST..yet somehow we survive.
how oh how do we do it?
and dont say oil, because Ontario has manufacturing under wraps, as well as water.(shipping etc)
I <3 Ralph. Even if he did plagarize his papers.
Your politicians are doing just what Ralph wants. Driving buisness out of province, and they will run straight here.
Theres a reason that CP, AirCanada and others are now based here, while they were formerly based out east.
We create a good buisness environment. |
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| ShadoWolf |
Time for the Lieberals/Fiberals to go.
Recall the Fibs!
Let's start with Martin! |
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| malek |
| quote: | Originally posted by j_spot
alberta has no PST..yet somehow we survive.
how oh how do we do it?
and dont say oil, because Ontario has manufacturing under wraps, as well as water.(shipping etc)
I <3 Ralph. Even if he did plagarize his papers.
Your politicians are doing just what Ralph wants. Driving buisness out of province, and they will run straight here.
Theres a reason that CP, AirCanada and others are now based here, while they were formerly based out east.
We create a good buisness environment. |
I will answer to you too... now going to see "the corporation":clown:
and yes high petroleum prices and natural gaz help alberta and alot! don't say no its not true! |
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| ShadoWolf |
| 50% of Quebec's economy is the pr0n industry. Bruno B and Malezia anyone? :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: |
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| malek |
| quote: | Originally posted by ShadoWolf
50% of Quebec's economy is the pr0n industry. Maziela anyone? :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: :stongue: |
hahaha recognized as one of the best in the world hahaha...
who the is maziela ??? pics or stfu |
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