NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the McGuinty government’s harmonized sales tax (HST) will only worsen the impact of gas price spikes and increase the pain Ontarians feel at the pumps.

“Ontario families will be facing skyrocketing gas prices this summer as they head out for long weekends or take road trips across the province,” said Horwath.

“Next year, those skyrocketing prices will be even higher, when the McGuinty government’s eight per cent tax hike kicks in. If it’s not highway robbery this summer, it certainly will be next summer -- at the hands of Dalton McGuinty!”

In the past month alone, gas prices have risen 10 cents a litre in the Greater Toronto Area. The McGuinty Liberals’ HST -- coming into effect on July 1, 2010 -- will add a further eight per cent to the cost of gasoline at the pump.

“The McGuinty Liberals’ tax hike will take a big bite out of the budgets of Ontario families looking for an affordable vacation. It’s not fair and it’s not right. That’s why we are asking Ontarians to join our campaign against this tax by visiting www.unfairtaxgrab.com,” said Horwath.