Last March, when the Ontario government handed down its 2009 provincial budget, it surprised residents by indicating there would be a blending of the federal Goods and Services Tax and the current Provincial Sales Tax. This would mean that goods and services that currently attract only the GST will now attract the provincial sales tax as well, as a single 13% tax. Many Ontarians are against this tax, while some business groups have supported and even lobbied the government to adopt this tax. However, some observers believe that the by-election in St. Paul's Riding, which is an urban riding in north Toronto that has a significantly diverse voting base, as well as what some believe to be a highly educated riding with 48% of its residents university educated, will be a referendum on this tax.
By-Election Called Upon Resignation of Michael Bryant
Prior to the by-election, the riding has been held by Michael Bryant since 1999. Bryant was considered to be a rising star in Dalton McGuinty's Cabinet, starting off as his first Attorney-General. Bryant, the youngest ever Attorney-General, was particularly noted for major legislative initiatives, including a ban on street racing, a ban on pit bulls, and reforms to the courts to handle major guns and gangs trials. Other positions held included Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, Minister of Economic Development as well as Government House Leader. However in the spring of 2009, Bryant resigned his seat to accept a position as the CEO of a newly created Invest Toronto.
It was rumoured by some that Bryant wanted to resign much earlier than he did, but was encouraged to remain until after the by-election was held in Haliburton - Kawartha Lakes - Brock Riding, in which former Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory tried unsuccessfully to win a seat. It was felt that John Tory needed a riding in Toronto as he was recognized an an urban candidate, given his lengthy business and political career in the city of Toronto. However, the timing of this by-election coincided with the height of public debate over the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax, scheduled to be phased in next year.
Candidates Take the Streets of St. Paul's to Take Riding
There are four primary candidates vying for this particular seat. Sue Ann Levy, a former columnist with the Toronto Sun, well known for her attacks on "Socialist Silly Hall" and the politics of Toronto municipal government was nominated to run for the Progressive Conservatives. She is an avid crusader against wasteful spending and higher taxes. Her main issues of this campaign are taxes, especially the proposed harmonized sales tax, which she stated was a key issue she heard when knocking on people's doors. Her party's Leader Tim Hudak has also announced his opposition to the Harmonized Sales Tax, and has set up a web site for people to visit to mark their opposition to it.
For the Liberals, Dr. Eric Hoskins is a family practitioner and a founder of an organization known as War Child. He was a candidate in the past provincial election. He will be taking aim at the Progressive Conservatives on issues of health care, tenant rights and other related issues. Approximately 70% of the residents of St. Paul's riding are tenants. Julian Heller, a trial lawyer, has been a community activist in the education system as well as a ratepayers association. He has been involved with the New Democratic Party for many years. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has been collecting petitions signed by over fifty-thousand people so far that oppose the harmonized sales tax, something that Heller intends to make an issue in this by-election. Chris Chopik is running for the Green Party.
By-Election Might Become a Referendum on the HST
Both Levy and Heller intend to make this by-election a referendum of sorts on the Harmonized Sales Tax, knowing that many people are concerned about the price of goods and services rising by 8% after July 1, 2009. According to a Nanos Research poll, two thirds of Ontario residents oppose the tax, while only 23% are in favour. There are online petitions, Face Book groups and websites devoted to this issue. The choice of using the HST as a by-election issue to send a message to the Liberals might be a good one. Liberal Candidate Hoskins, however, will likely try to deflect this debate and try to focus his energies on many of the positive achievements of the McGuinty Government.
Angela Browne - Angela Browne is an independent Paralegal practising in the Niagara Region, of the Province of Ontario (Canada). She is a published ...
