Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca announced his party will eliminate the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax (HST) for prepared foods less than $20 if elected in the upcoming provincial election. .“Families are being hit hard by the skyrocketing cost of food, all while the richest in our province are getting richer,” said Del Duca in a Friday press release. “Our Liberal plan will provide families with immediate relief within the first 100 days of being elected, by lowering the cost of prepared food.” .The press release said the plan will be funded by a 1% surtax on companies operating in Ontario that make more than $1 billion per year and a 2% income tax increase for people who earn more than $500,000. .Statistics Canada reported food prices in Ontario increased by 8.2% in the last year. .The Ontario Liberals will remove provincial taxes on such items at hot food counters in grocery stores or meals at local restaurants, by increasing the exemption from provincial HST from $4 to $20, said the press release. .The Liberals went on to say its plan will include eliminating corporate taxes for small businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic for two years. .“The Ford Conservatives are bent on handing out the most help to those who need it the least,” said Del Duca. “Only the Ontario Liberals have a sweeping affordability plan to help those struggling to make ends meet.” .This announcement comes after the Ontario Progressive Conservatives released its pre-election budget on Thursday..The budget includes more government spending and emphasizes building roads, expanding hospitals, and tax breaks for some workers and seniors. Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy defended the budget by saying now is the time for the province to invest and rebuild. .“Sparing no expense during the pandemic was the right thing to do,” said Bethlenfalvy. “Rebuilding Ontario’s economy today is the right thing to do in a fiscally responsible way, which we demonstrated in this budget.”.About four out of five Canadians were worried or very worried about rising inflation, an Ipsos poll conducted for Global News in November revealed..The poll suggested the rising cost of living has become a top concern for 78% of Canadians. It said 6% were not at all worried about increasing prices. .Among those most worried about inflation were parents, according to the poll. Six out of 10 respondents with kids under 18 years old said they were concerned they might not have enough money to feed their family. .Jonathan Bradley is a Toronto-based contributor at the Western Standard. jbradley@westernstandard.news
