Letter to the Editor from a Welland resident
Debunking HST 'myths'

---

This Letter to the Editor by Welland, Ontario senior David Fowler was published in the Welland Tribune on September 19, 2009. It speaks for itself. It is reproduced below.

---

I was surprised to read D. G. Smith's comment (Stand up to the tax, The Tribune, Sept. 17) that seniors are "often disregarded by both the federal and provincial governments when it involves the standard of living."

I think nothing could be further from the truth.

When a senior fills out a tax return, the first benefit is an age amount deduction, which can be more than $5,000, depending on income. We have the Canada Pension Plan if we have contributed over our working lives, and also the Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors. The federal government also has GST credits, depending on income. Pension income splitting between spouses is allowed in order to reduce income tax.

• Ontario has a guaranteed annual income for seniors, as well as the Ontario Senior Homeowners Property Tax Credit;
• If you're a senior, the province will help you pay your municipal taxes;
• We have the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan, which means that at age 65, most of the cost of prescription drugs is paid.

This is just a partial listing of benefits. See www.seniors.gc.ca for help and advice for care facilities, finances, health and wellness, legal matters and many other topics.

Mr. Smith calls for seniors to stand united and fight Dalton McGuinty's proposed Harmonized Sales Tax. I suggest having a look at www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxchange to see how the Ontario Chamber of Commerce fully supports this change because it will simplify taxes for business and actually decrease PST on many goods.

This is a good site for "mythbusting" the cries of the Conservatives that we will be paying more taxes on most items. In fact, the huge list of goods and services that will not be taxed include basic groceries, prescription drugs, public transit, legal aid, most financial services, child care, tutoring, music lessons, rents and condo fees, children's clothing and footwear, children's car seats and booster seats, diapers, feminine hygiene products, books and many others.

Perhaps after doing some research, we seniors should stand united in support of the HST. If Mr. Smith thinks the government has "disregarded" seniors, I'd like him to name another place on this earth that he would rather live as a senior.