NDP Critic for Health and Long-Term Care France Gélinas is urging the McGuinty Liberals to undertake a real comprehensive review of their regressive Health Tax.

“Four years ago when McGuinty introduced his regressive Health Tax, he promised Ontarians he’d review it. Now he’s reluctantly agreed, but states nothing will change. That’s not right. Ontarians expect and deserve a comprehensive review of the Health Tax,” said Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt.

“If the McGuinty Liberals were serious about combating poverty, they’d make their Health Tax fairer for working Ontarians,” said Gélinas.

Today at Queen’s Park, McGuinty short-circuited the Health Tax review by calling it “redundant” and vowing to keep the regressive tax in place. The NDP has proposed a different approach to the Health Tax that would make it fairer and more progressive - while ensuring vital health care services remain intact.

“McGuinty says he needs to keep his unfair Health Tax to pay for public health care. The NDP has a better way, one that doesn’t hurt working families and will improve public health care,” said Gélinas.

The NDP is proposing 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.

“McGuinty should listen to Ontarians who want to see changes to his regressive Health Tax. He should honour his 2003 promise and conduct a real, comprehensive review. Ontarians deserve nothing less,” said Gélinas.