The NDP's health tax rebate restores the balance that was lost when Dalton McGuinty introduced his regressive Health Tax that unfairly hit families who can afford it the least.

Dalton McGuinty let hardworking Ontario families down when he broke his promise not to make them pay any new taxes. Thanks to Dalton McGuinty's Health Tax, low and moderate-income families are carrying an unfair share of the tax burden. McGuinty increased personal income taxes for average families by 24 per cent, while those making more than $200,000 pay only three per cent more.

The NDP's health tax rebate is part of a Fair Tax plan, a balanced approach that will put money back into the pockets of 75 per cent of working families while making sure banks, insurance companies and the wealthiest individuals pay their fair share.

The NDP will phase in the elimination of the unfair McGuinty Health Tax for 1.5 million workers earning under $48,000 and put $450 back into the pockets of individuals earning between $48,000 and $80,000.

Unlike the Conservative scheme that would take $2.7 billion away from the services today's working families need, the NDP is taking a balanced approach. The Fair Tax plan will protect the public health care working families rely on by ensuring that banks, insurance companies, and the most wealthy pay their fair share.

In fact, starting in the first year, the NDP Fair Tax commitment will mean more revenue to invest in health care, education and other public services working families need.

We will hold the line on manufacturing and small business taxes while bringing in a modest increase in the General Corporate Tax rate from 14 to 14.5 per cent. The NDP will also end the McGuinty Liberal-Conservative Capital Tax giveaways to banks and insurance companies - a move that will help hard-hit manufacturers while at the same time ending McGuinty's tax giveaway to banks and insurance companies that are making record profits. A new provincial personal income tax bracket only for individuals making $150,000 a year or more that is two per cent higher than the existing rate will also be introduced to make provincial taxes fair.

Dalton McGuinty got it wrong when he broke his promise, making working families pay his unfair health tax. New Democrats will make it right by restoring balance and giving today's families a fair deal.

We will make life more affordable for today's working families:

• provide a health tax rebate of up to $450 for every individual earning less than $80,000 a year - saving up to $900 for two-income families
• keep property taxes down and freeze transit fares by establishing a Fair Deal for Municipalities
• reduce home energy bills by providing energy efficiency and conservation incentives and loans and grants for home retrofits

Filed Under: Making life more affordable for families