Arnott: McGuintys gift to newlyweds is HST on weddings

Ted Arnott is warning couples headed for the altar and to Niagara Falls - the Honey­moon Capital of the world - that they will have an un­welcome guest: Premier Dalton Mc­Guinty.

The Wellington-Halton Hills MPP, and Progressive Conservative critic for culture and tourism said on July 1, McGuinty’s Harmonized Sales Tax grab will force Ontario newlyweds to pay more for wed­ding planners, hall rentals, decorators, DJs and bands, photographers, and many other items needed for their big day.

So when Ontario newly­weds go on their honeymoon, Dalton McGuinty will be right there too, with his hand in their wedding purse, hiking taxes on gas on romantic limo rides, flights, hotels, and motels.

And as the young couple starts their life together, Arnott said Mc­Guinty will be there, increasing the tax on buying a new home or condo, renting an apartment, and adding to the cost of home heating, electri­city, Internet and many more items young couples need.

“Most people want to give newlyweds a hand up when they start their lives together,” said Arnott.

“Only a premier as out of touch as Dalton Mc­Guinty would look to saddle them with the burden of his greedy HST grab on their wedding day and honeymoon.

“Starting on Canada Day, Dalton McGuinty’s HST will have brides and grooms saying ‘I don’t’ to this massive tax grab.”

According to MyCana­dian­Wedding.com, the aver­age cost of a wedding is be­tween $20,000 and $30,000, and more in major centres such as Toronto.

Based on a $30,000 wedding the HST could add as much as $2,400 in extra taxes for newlyweds and their fami­lies.

The Ontario PC Caucus has launched an online poll where people can vote on what the HST will affect the most in a person’s budget at www.dal­ton­salestax.com.