The New Democratic Party (NDP) plans on introducing a private member’s bill to take the provincial portion of the HST off home heating as soon as the Legislature resumes.
The bill will be brought forward by newly elected MPP Michael Mantha (Algoma-Manitoulin), who said it could save families $100 a year, removing the provincial portion of the HST off home heating only if you heat your house with natural gas or oil. There would be no break if a home is heated with electricity.
While Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said he personally supports the idea of taking the provincial portion — or 8 per cent of the 13 per cent harmonized sales tax — off home heating and hydro, the Liberals are not warm to the idea.
The NDP proposal would cut provincial revenues by nearly $350 million a year, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said in a statement.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the party did not include removing the HST off of hydro on this private member’s bill because she thought just taking it off heating was a “first practical step” in making a difference in people’s lives.
During the fall election, the PCs along with the New Democrats campaigned on removing the tax from heating and hydro.
Mr. Hudak would not whip the vote or get all his 37 MPPs to support the bill. The NDP have 17 seats in the 107-seat Legislature and the Liberals have 53, one shy of a majority.
To learn more read the NDP press release.
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