Last week we heard from the lips of John Wilkinson, the Minister of Revenue in the provincial Liberal party that runs this province (into the ground!) that the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) will lead us to thousands of new jobs, competitively priced products for the export markets and lower domestic costs for most things.

If you believe that then you will receive a big surprise following its introduction in July 2010.

The good minister’s encouraging words about the benefits we will receive following the HST introduction would best be described by the removal of the “T” from HST, namely H.S. How dumb does the Liberal government think we are? If the consumer is now to pay 8% more for most of the products he/she needs, gasoline, heating fuels, electricity etc, etc. how on earth can there be greater benefits to anyone other than the manufacturer.

Minister Wilkinson tells us that the savings realized by the manufacturer will be passed down to the consumer. And cows will fly. Where, except where there is strong competition, has greed not been the driving force behind any enterprise? Every time new taxes are added to any consumer item (and this is what the HST is- a tax grab to cover mismanagement and excesses in payments to consultants.) the result is a devaluation of the dollar and another step toward inflation. The dollar ceases to buy what once it could. No one wins in the final analysis.

Ontario’s poor and elderly pensioners and those beginning their adult working lives will be the hardest hit. Unions will demand pay increases to catchup, and so the old inflationary path will recreate the unwanted problems and economic difficulties that seem to follow such politically driven policies.

One thing is certain; no manufacturer will be induced to return to Canada by this HST benefit. In the countries to which they moved their businesses they enjoy low-cost labour and limited environmental controls. So why return to regulation and high labour costs when they can produce for less money and sell for inflated prices in the country from which they came? Greed has always been the driving force and that is unlikely to change.

Ken Hayward

Mono