Barrett calls out Premier on new gas tax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 25, 2015

QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett took Premier Kathleen Wynne to task for breaking her promise to not bring in a new gas tax.

During Question Period today, Barrett pointed out that two years ago a government panel suggested hiking gas taxes. Subsequently, Premier Wynne said there she would not hike gas taxes.

“Now,” Barrett charged, “A budget to stampede a cap and trade tax – a reported 4.3 cent tax on a litre of gas – and that’s at the wholesale level! What extra tax on gas will we pay retail, after markups, after hst, at the pumps?

“People in rural, northern, right across Ontario who don’t have alternatives to driving, can’t afford higher gas taxes,” he said. “Now, two years later, we have suggestions of a new gas tax sold as a carbon tax – sold as a cap and trade tax.”

After the Premier did not deny there would be an increase of 4.3 cents/litre wholesale to combat climate change, Barrett continued his questioning. He noted in the past, former Premier Dalton McGuinty promised no new taxes, then introduced the largest income tax hike in the province’s history and the largest consumption tax with the HST.

“Two years ago, the Premier said no gas tax,” Barrett said in the Legislature. “Is this an early budget just to sidestep public consultation to sneak in your gas tax? To break your promise of no gas tax – and lie to the people of Ontario?”

After the premier deferred the question to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, there were no answers to Barrett’s questions.

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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at
519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org