Expect the NDP to ramp up its attacks on the federal Conservatives and Ontario Liberals in the coming days as Ontario residents say goodbye to paying separate GST and PST and begin to pay the Harmonized Sales Tax or the HST, a tax which economists say will help manufacturers and employers in a big way but which will see consumers paying consumption taxes on a range of products that, heretofore, had not been subject to the PST.
The NDP, in a release this afternoon, takes a look at some of the new things soon to be taxed and asks the question:
Why do Conservatives hate weddings?
July 1st will mark two significant occasions: the unofficial opening of wedding season and the day the HST will take effect in Ontario and British Columbia.
Like rain on your wedding day, the HST will dampen spirits by unnecessarily burdening the happy couple, family, friends and relatives with added expenses.
Domestic Air, Rail and Bus Travel: Out of town guests can expect to pay anywhere from $250 more for airfare to $5 more for bus travel.
Hotel Rooms: Those out-of-towners you have so carefully taken care of will now be charged an extra $15 per night. For 10 rooms that’ll run a collective bill of $150.
Taxis: Getting your guests back to their hotels safely will cost more too. $3.50 more per ride.
Hall Rental Fees: If you happen to rent a hall at a local community centre for your dinner and reception you can expect to pay an extra $50.
Hair Stylist/Barber: $3 more per clipping multiplied by the 40 or so who will spiffy themselves up will run your guests collectively an extra $120.
Dry Cleaning Service: $25 more to have that perfect wedding gown dry cleaned and pressed (how did that red wine get there?)
Gasoline and Diesel: $3 more per fill-up multiplied by 20 cars that will burn a tank of gas each will collectively cost $60 more.
And if you think this is all too much and just want to escape the HST by opting for a civil ceremony down at City Hall, think again.
Civil marriage ceremony fees and wedding licence costs: The license will cost you $15 more and a civil ceremony will run you $40 more.