Time to Ground the Flight Tax

QUEEN’S PARK –Today in a statement in the Ontario Legislature Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford, said that the government’s 148% increase on aviation fuel tax will drive travelers and companies out of the province.

“This increase will be a cost to everyday people and companies – the people who live in remote communities, the child going to visit their grandparents and the cost for companies to ship items by air,” said Hardeman. “Some of those people will just make sacrifices as a result of this tax increase – and some will look for options outside our borders.”

During the statement Hardeman quoted a recent letter from the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce which said: “We are specifically concerned over the impact this tax change has at local and regional levels. We want and need to see business and industrial traffic grow at our own Tillsonburg Regional Airport, and we want to stem the flow of thousands of people in the Tillsonburg and London region who regularly head to Detroit, Buffalo or Niagara over price issues.”

During the statement Hardeman pointed out that other jurisdictions are reducing or eliminating the aviation fuel tax to creates new jobs, fuels economic growth and will result in increased government revenue.

“Earlier this week we heard that government revenues once again failed to meet projections,” said Hardeman. “The Chamber of Commerce understands as we do – that attempting to increase revenues by implementing huge tax increases is short-sighted.”

On behalf of the PC Caucus Michael Harris, PC Critic for Transportation, and Laurie Scott, PC Critic for Tourism, have launched a petition against the increase in aviation fuel tax which is available at www.groundtheflighttax.com.

“This tax increase will actually result in reduced government revenue, extra costs for families and businesses and lost jobs,” said Hardeman. “That’s why the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce and my colleagues on this side the Legislature agree – it’s time to ground the flight tax increase.”

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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(416) 325-1239