Press Release |
For Immediate Release December 1, 2009
KLEES: Liberal Release Intentionally Misleading
(Queen’s Park) The enclosed letter was delivered today to Premier Dalton McGuinty in response to a release issued on November 30th by the Liberal Caucus Services Bureau (copy attached).
The Hon. Dalton McGuinty December 1, 2009
Premier of Ontario
Room 281, Legislative Building
Queen’s Park, Toronto
ON M7A 1A1
Dear Premier,
Re: “More Provincial Conservatives Support Harmonization” Nov. 30, 2009
(Liberal Caucus Services Bureau Release)
Yesterday your Caucus Services Bureau issued the above noted press release (which I attach for your information) falsely claiming that I am in support of the HST, and intentionally leaves the impression that my position on the HST has in fact changed from the date referenced in the release.
In support of this claim, the release quoted me entirely out of context based on my remarks during the London PC Leadership Debate on May 21, 2009: “No one can argue with wanting a more simplified tax process, I think we all support that.”
I would, however, draw your attention to the words immediately following in that transcript, which your researchers intentionally did not include in the release:
“The problem is that in the middle of a recession, when people are already on their knees, the last thing we need is to get slapped with $2.5 Billion of taxation on thousands of products and services that were never taxed before. And the people who will be hit the hardest will be those on fixed incomes and seniors. Anything that we touch or that moves will be taxed. Is it surprising? No, because Dalton McGuinty is addicted to taxation. Is he going to change? No he won’t. But we will vigorously oppose this tax.”
I find this an offensive and calculated attempt by the Liberal Caucus Services Bureau to undermine my personal and professional credibility. After 14 years as a Member of the Legislature, I value the fact that my constituents have come to rely on me to take principled and consistent positions on matters of public policy. The irresponsible and self-serving actions of your Liberal Caucus Services Bureau clearly intend to undermine my integrity.
I therefore respectfully ask that you, as Leader of your Party, direct the Liberal Caucus Services Bureau to formally and publicly withdraw the false claim made against me in its press release. I trust that you will understand the importance of this matter to me and that you will take the steps necessary to set the record straight.
I thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by:
Frank Klees, MPP
Newmarket-Aurora
-30-
References:
Frank Klees, MPP
Newmarket-Aurora
LIBERAL CAUCUS SERVICES BUREAU |
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MORE Provincial Conservatives Support Harmonization
QUEEN'S PARK, Nov. 30 /CNW/ - We know that Ontario Conservative Leader Tim Hudak supports the HST; earlier this year he said there was "little sense" in having two separate sales taxes and understood how the HST "can help the economy" (March 24th, 2009 - Don Valley West, Conservative Party Annual Meeting).
And his House Leader Bob Runciman also said "I think our Party is supportive of harmonization" and that the HST is "something we think should occur" (March 24, 2009 - Media Scrum).
Who else in the Ontario Conservative Caucus supports tax harmonization?
- Ted Chudleigh (Halton): "Taxing businesses for their input costs is
also a negative thing to do in an economy. It would be far better if
we could find a way to harmonize the PST with the GST." (October 2,
2008 - Legislative Assembly Hansard)
- Silvia Jones (Dufferin-Caledon): "(The government should be) beginning
serious consultations with Ottawa on the subject of tax reform."
(March 17, 2008 - Legislative Assembly Hansard)
- Ted Arnott (Wellington-Halton Hills): "They must follow the advice
they sought from Roger Martin and reduce taxes on new business
investment in Ontario." (March 11, 2009 - Legislative Assembly
Hansard)
- Norm Sterling (Carleton-Mississippi Mills): "The Ontario government
should harmonize its provincial sales tax with the federal goods and
services tax." (April 23, 1992 - Legislative Assembly Hansard)
- Gerry Martiniuk (Cambridge): "We have called on you to stimulate our
economy by reducing the tax burden on business and new business
investments, eliminating capital taxes in Ontario, reducing taxes on
small business, and initiating serious negotiations with the federal
government on tax reform." (October 22, 2008 - Legislative Assembly
Hansard)
- Peter Shurman (Thornhill): "I am not saying that harmonization
ultimately is a bad idea." (March 24, 2009 - Media Scrum)
- Frank Klees (Newmarket-Aurora): "No one can argue with wanting a more
simplified tax process I think we all support that." (May 21, 2009 -
London Conservative Leadership Debate)
Now we know why Tim Hudak is so slippery when asked why he won't commit to reversing a single aspect of the McGuinty Government's tax reforms.
For further information: Andrew Teliszewsky, ateliszewsky@liberal.ola.org, (416) 325-3670