Nova Scotians brace for HST hike
posted:
Jun 28 2010Casey, Karen
TRURO – With more than $1 billion dollars added to the provincial debt in less than one year, and the HST poised to increase by two percentage points on July 1, Nova Scotia is headed in the wrong direction.
“I think people are genuinely worried we are going down the wrong path with this government,” said Colchester North MLA Karen Casey. “Add to that, emergency rooms closing faster than ever, and waits longer than any other Canadian province for hip and knee replacement surgery. The commitments that have been broken since 2009 concern me.”
During last year’s election campaign, Darrell Dexter and the NDP promised not to raise taxes. As of July 1, that broken promise will become official - Nova Scotians will start paying two per cent more on goods and services.
“The reality is that while some may be able to afford the HST hike, it is the poor who will be impacted the most,” said Casey. “I would really like to know how Lenore Zann responded at the caucus table when Dexter and the Finance Minister broke the news that a tax hike was on the way.”
Nova Scotians looking to purchase a new home at $250,000 will pay $5,000 more, or the equivalent of one year’s worth of post-secondary tuition. A new $25,000 car will cost $500 more, or for some, a bi-monthly mortgage payment.
Casey believes constituents represented by an NDP MLA, like Zann, should start asking where they stand on the HST.
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For more information, please contact:
Sarah Reeves, Communications Officer
Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Caucus
902.424.7723 (office)
902.499.9948 (mobile)
