“HO-HO-HOld the home heating HST” says MPP Michael Mantha
Algoma-Manitoulin NDP MPP Michael Mantha
QUEEN’S PARK, ON – In light of a damning Auditor-General report that shows the government misspent almost $2-billion on the failed smart meter program, now, more than ever, Ontarians need relief from the growing costs of heating their homes, said NDP Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha. This week Mantha reintroduced his ‘HST Rebate for Home Heating’ bill.
“This is the season for giving, but the Liberal government is more concerned with taking and wasting,” said Mantha. “Their failed schemes have made life less affordable for families in Ontario. An HST rebate is a simple way to put some hard earned money back in the pockets of the people who need it most.”
Liberal’s smart meter plan was intended to save money, yet the Auditor-General report this week reveals that it wasted $1.9-billion while families’ bills continue to sky-rocket. The report also revealed the Liberals wasted billions on P3 infrastructure funding schemes that saw billions of public funds go to boosting bank profits.
“When Ontarians hear about billions of dollars wasted on Liberal infrastructure schemes and smart meters, it makes their blood boil,” said Mantha. “Compound that with the Liberals telling them they will just have to live with increasing hydro rates, and the whole situation just seems increasingly unfair.”
The bill, titled ‘Bill 63, Retail Sales Tax Amendment Act (HST Rebate for Home Heating), 2014,’ would remove the HST from natural gas and oil home heating bills. For many households, it will mean a savings of at least $100. According to Mantha, this bill is a practical step towards making life more affordable for average Ontarians.
Mantha first introduced the bill in 2011.
