Only sure thing in McGuinty’s Ontario is death and increased taxes

For Immediate Release:
May 27, 2010

Simcoe – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett said the HST, due to hit the pocketbooks of Ontarians on July 1st, will make the cost of dying more expensive.

As of Dominion Day, Ontarians will be forced to pay between $650 and $1,300 in taxes for funeral services. Some of the items that will be subject to the new eight per cent tax include lawyer fees to administer last will and testament, estate planning, floral arrangements, catering services and more.

“It is so sad to see middle-aged folks and seniors rushing out to pre-pay their funerals in order to beat the tax,” Barrett said. “In these tough economic times, people have many other things to worry about and how they are going to pay for their funeral shouldn’t be one of them.”

The National Citizens Coalition reports that the HST will cost the average Ontario family a minimum of $1,000 more each year.

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at
(519) 428-0446 or (905)-765-8413, 1-800-903-8629