Times have changed.
We've witnessed the biggest global economic downturn in 80 years. Ontario's outdated dual sales tax system put our businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
Many experts agree.
Many economists, businesses and investors say that the HST is the most important thing we can do to strengthen Ontario's economy.
Together with our tax cuts, the HST will attract investment and jobs and as a result will help protect those things – like our schools and hospitals – that make Ontario a better place to live.
The competitive benchmark is a harmonized sales tax.
In more than 150 countries and four other provinces, value-added sales tax like the HST is a fact of life. It is modern, efficient and necessary to compete in today's changing world.
We had a choice.
We could have refused to fix what was broken and resign ourselves to the idea that Ontario would be less competitive. Or we could have, which we did, embraced change and do what it takes to build a stronger Ontario.
In Ontario we've made our choice. We're taking a tax system that was made for a bygone era and rebuilding it to help secure Ontario's prosperous future.
Watch videos on what others have to say about these tax changes.
