Mobile site shows Ontarians just how HST gouges them
Say what you will about Ontario’s change to HST, but at least they’re doing their best to be up front about it.
No, not up front about the bit that any new business tax breaks may come at the cost of the consumer, or that the government has allegedly been bribing Ontarians with their own money in the form of HST rebate cheques. No, not that.
Instead, against all else, the Ontario government has done at least a fair job of letting us know what consumer goods will be subject to the new Harmonized Sales Tax. And now they’ve gone mobile.
Ahead of Thursday’s HST switch in two of Canada’s most populous provinces, the Ontario government has launched a mobile-friendly site (type “ontario.ca/hstmobile” into your phone’s web browser) to show Ontarians what taxes will increase under the new change and what ones won’t.
The site, for all the vitriol towards provincial workers these days, is actually quite handy. After a couple of run-throughs, it appears to operate quite efficiently on your smart phone to tell you just what’ll be more expensive next month.
Of course, the bad news is that the site is yet another reminder things like heating/electricity, domestic airfare and dry cleaning will cost more come July 1.
But, this is hardly new information at this point, so why not be well informed that your wallets will soon be lighter?
The mobile site is actually part of a social media blitz by the Ontario government, which has also opened up its own YouTube channel with videos about all the jobs the HST will create, as well as a handful of other political speak vids likely to make Ontarians upset.
The B.C. government, by contrast, has this trusty PDF to show what products/services will go up in cost, but by my count they've yet developed no such mobile offering.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: Dan | Jun 30, 2021 9:15:43 AM
Tommorrow is the day that all ontarians gets gouge big time, and the economy will start to slow down even further into recession, a big thanks to our government officials. What's the point in voting anyways they'll just do whatever they want, its a legalized mob.
Posted by: Vince | Jun 30, 2021 10:23:39 AM
Why do we keep puting up with these proven lying governments? Lie, cheat, steal and abust their citicens, we see it on tv, we here it on the radio and we feal it in our pockets! This Liberal governmet isn't out to help it's people, they are out to take advantage, changing laws to sute their needs, they commit behind closed door chash deals and they imploment unfair taxes that the people of Ontario clearly don't want. This province isn't a democrocy any more, it's a dictatorship!! Time to take our province back from these goons who abuse us physically, mentally, and financially, they arn't honest people, they are goons who think they are above the law and they clearly are getting away with it! How do we change whats going on, ralley on the streets clogging any main roadways, vote none of the above at the balot box and simply do cash deals any time possible because they are simply making it impossible for small business to survive here in Ontario! The Ontario government are clearly breaking the laws and they are clearly abusing the citizens of this province, the G20 police abuse is clearly on vidio showing how they terrorized innocent people! These goons work for us, we paid the billions for security that didn't work to keep people's property safe and we paid for those police who clearly victimized innocent people while the premier sat there and watched! How much are we going to take? It's only going to get worse if we keep putting up with this deceitful government!!
Posted by: Agree | Jun 30, 2021 1:25:52 PM
ABSOLUTELY Agree Vince
Posted by: Dave | Jun 30, 2021 1:41:58 PM
Well folks - you have only yourself to blame for all the taxes - stop expecting everyone else to pay for you and live by your means. Come on people want free daycare, medicare, huge houses that are out of portion to what you really need vs other places in the world, etc, plus to have all the peaks that you propberly are not entitled too. It's no wonder the government is forced into the new tax.
Posted by: John | Jun 30, 2021 2:40:47 PM
ABSOLUTELY Agree Dave. By the way I'm fine with my money paying for the police for keeping the city safe duing the G20 (Be greatfull that most of it was spent in Ontario). If you cause trouble (even if just being present) and were warned/ordered to go away by the police and didn't listen then you are breaking the law and deserve what's coming. If you don't like it than persuade the majority to change things but until than accept what the majority voted for. I wonder what you'd say if the police did nothing and let anarchists destroy the downtown core and lead to injury or even death of innocent people protecting themselves, loved ones and their properties.
Posted by: Jay | Jun 30, 2021 2:57:45 PM
You know that this rate will creep up , as the gov't still doesn't take in enough money . Too many levels of gov't to begin with...municpal , provincial , national ...they all run in deficits and don't give a crap . How about this ....we give the gov't alll our money [ let me finish before you start laughing ] and we are allowed to borrow from them and spend more than we have and just run a deficit like they do . Want a pool , no problem just run a deficit . Want to go to France with an entourage [ well really friends and family , but we are not allowed to call them that ] and fly first class ...no problem , run a deficit . Do you see where I am coming from ?? We just reverse rolls completely with the gov't , and spend as much as we want on anything we want whether or not we have the money , and have a great life....oh gee , I died in a deficit ....so friggin what !!!!!!
Posted by: jeff | Jun 30, 2021 6:37:53 PM
are you guys serious?? we are to blame for the increase in taxes because one does well financially he should be more heavily taxed because they can afford a bigger house than the rest of the world. If we had proper government spending, and a clearer picture to where the money is going the taxes would not near be as high. Health care, welfare, cpp pensions are paid out to people who have contributed very little to the cash fund and we as hard workers pay the way for everyone. Small business pays equal portions to match employee cpp and ei benefits and than we pay more tax, give me a break. Just so everyone knows and it seems most dont.. we already pay pst on fuel 14.7 cents per litre and we are going to now pay the hst on something that we already pay the tax on. the Liberal goverment is full of bs what about better health care for the elderly... another big promise made and fell short on. This last tax put on Ontarians at a time of economic despair is just a harsh reality of whats to come. Get informed and voice your dissapointment to the Mcguinty website. Cmon get smart next election time
Posted by: Dr. J Steed | Jun 30, 2021 6:58:47 PM
Fortunately for me, I don't care about the HST. I will just carry on enjoying my life.
Posted by: Ralph | Jun 30, 2021 8:00:55 PM
Our company (coin-op amusement) has determined that this new HST will cost us $100,000 in additional taxes per year. I guess now we'll have to pay the provincial sales tax side too, where as before we only paid the gst side. How many of our employees got laid off last year????? And now this. I thank the socialist ****** from the 70's that put this country into this mind-set.
Posted by: Kaylee | Jul 5, 2021 3:11:29 PM
I'm still baffled as to why they think taxing used clothes and gym memberships is a good idea. Most people I know who purchase used clothes do so because the cannot afford to buy them new. And gym memberships?? Hasn't the Canadian government been spending thousands of dollars on ad campaigns to get Canadians out and excercising because obesity related diseases are a huge drain on Canada's health care dollars?
I work for a manufacturer and we are now spending more on materials and we certainly will not be hiring any new staff. So where do they get the idea that prices will drop and more people will be hired?
Posted by: Karlo | Jul 5, 2021 4:39:34 PM
Well my fellow Ontarians.....those of you who voted for McLiar McGuinty and his merry band of pick-pockets got what you deserve but the rest of us got an undeserved kick in the nads.
Now don't get me wrong - the HST as a single point of collecting taxes makes sense since we pay the same combined 13% - BUT the insult and injury comes from McLiar adding it to gasoline and your home heating fuels electricity etc...and we already pay a "debt retirment tax" on electricity ! Shame on you Dalton ! and mama McGuinty if you are reading this .... you have an evil son !!
P.S. - I bought a hair clipper so I don't have to pay the redicules HST on hair cuts !... must sat the cut ain't bad!
Posted by: robbed by dalton doolittle and his band of merry hst warriors | Jul 7, 2021 11:11:06 AM
JULY 2/10 is the beginning of the provincial HST invasion, of the SENIOR TAXPAYERS last resourses, I spoke to doolittles office and revenue canada , at the same time last week HELLO taxpayers now you just , only have to put the 200 cheque you will get as a senior on your rev. canada taxes for 2010** and the lies that!! you would get 300 this year, not so your last 100 comes in july 2011 SO much for truth NOTE I as a senior have calculated based on last years pensions a LOSS OF 742.00 $ and for the rest of my life ALso your SENIORS grant for property taxes,,, ARE ALSO FULLY TAXABLE !! SO IN REALITY . THE GOVERNMENT WANT TO SCREW THE RETIRED AND THE POOR WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES!!! MR. DOOLITTLE AND LIBERALS IN NOW SOCIALIST ONTARIO .. your government WILL PAY THE NEXT ELECTION ,**THE LAST STRAW** SENIORS HAVE LONG MEMORIES AND WE WILL WE WILL DO A DAVID PETERSON*** BET ON IT ***
Posted by: robbed by dalton doolittle and his band of merry hst warriors | Jul 7, 2021 11:23:19 AM
the hst is an abomination on the seniors of ontario WE WILL NOT FORGET ,,DALTON REMEMBER YOUR ARROGANT PRIOR PREMIER D. PETERSON*** YOU WILL PAY THE SAME PRICE AS THE FORMER POWER BROKERS ** INCLUDING CERTAIN PREVIOUS PRIME MINISTER** YOU CAN'T SCREW THE SENIORS AND GET AWAY WITH IT!! WE WILL GET YOU AT THE BALLOT BOX !!!
Posted by: kerianna | Jul 11, 2021 11:00:21 AM
I have to laugh at how our tax systems are set up...but not because it's funny. First we get a huge chunk of our wages sliced off before it even hits our bank account. So, in essence, we've paid our tax on what we've earned. But then, we pretty well are taxed on everything else we buy or consume and have to pay those taxes from what's left of our wages. It's a great setup! Everybody gets a piece!
I don't think we'll ever get away from taxes, no matter which political party is in power. Unfortunately, I do believe that there will be even more taxes heaped upon our shoulders in the future.
I do agree with the one poster who talked about us being dependent on the government for everything. We want the government to stay out of our pockets, yet we go running to them to fix every little boo boo.
As for the G20...the real protesters didn't hide their faces. I don't know who the cowards in black masks were....but they didn't seem too worried about being caught as they burned police cars and high 5'ed each other. That was strange.