NDP push to remove HST from heat a step closer to reality

QUEEN’S PARK – Voters finally have some positive news coming out of Queen’s Park as MPPs backed New Democrat plans to do away with the HST on home heating bills.
“There’s been lots of talking since election day, and now at last we have some action. We’re putting people first by taking on real issues that affect every single family in the province. That’s why the NDP’s number one priority was to start to rollback the unfair HST to begin to make life more affordable,” said Michael Mantha, the NDP MPP sponsoring this legislation.
MPPs voted 54-50 to give Second Reading to the Private Members’ Bill introduced by Mantha to take the HST off home heating.
The measure would save the average family $100 each year on their heating bills.
“I’m thrilled we’ve landed the first blow in this fight against the HST. This is only the start of the battle to bring the relief that’s so desperately needed for squeezed households. This result today at least offers hope that politicians are finally listening to voters on the doorstep who are telling us until they are blue in the face that they’ve had enough of the HST,” added Mantha.
The Bill now moves forward to Committee Stage where Mr. Mantha plans to build further cross-party support for this important measure.