March 1, 2012COST OF DOING BUSINESS TOO HIGH AND GOING HIGHER
“People pay attention to the level of taxation in Ontario to make investment decisions as to whether they’re going to invest in the province, and thereby create jobs and more economic prosperity. So the principle of a competitive tax system is right at the foundation of the work we do.”
Greg Sorbara, Former Liberal Minister of Finance
Hansard, October 27, 2004
QUEEN’S PARK – Late yesterday in the Ontario Legislature the McGuinty government signaled their intention to increase the cost of doing business in Ontario by voting against a Progressive Conservative opposition day motion.
“The cost of doing business effects where businesses chose to locate and whether they are able to grow and hire more employees,” said Hardeman. “In my last survey of Oxford businesses 87% of respondents said that Ontario taxes were too high. Today the government sent a message that there is no relief in sight.”
In addition, 95% of survey respondents said that they had been impacted by the increasing cost of hydro with 60% indicating the impact had been significant.
The opposition day motion, brought forward by PC leader Tim Hudak read as follows:
“That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario reaffirms its support for the planned reduction of the business tax rate on Ontario’s job creators to 10% by next year, to help get the nearly 600,000 unemployed Ontarians working again.”
The McGuinty government and the NDP caucus voted against the motion.
“I was proud to stand up in the Legislature and vote yes on behalf of local businesses in Oxford,” said Hardeman. ““Passing Tim Hudak’s motion would have sent an important signal to entrepreneurs that Ontario is open for business.”
Hardeman also said that he will be sending the next business survey out to Oxford businesses in the next few weeks. Any businesses that have not received previous surveys and would like to be included in the future should send their contact information to ernie.hardeman@pc.ola.org.
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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(416) 325-1239