HST Debate

July 1st 2010 might be the official start date of HST in Ontario but with all the fighting going on you almost wouldn’t know it. Despite the tension in the ongoing HST conversation, July is still the HST launch date. For better or worse HST is coming to Ontario.

Without ever taking sides HST Ontario presents the key issues for both the anti HST and the pro HST movements in Ontario. We start with some HST facts:

The Facts

Starting on July 1st 2010 HST will replace both GST and PST in Ontario. Once combined, Ontario HST will be 13%.

HST Ontario is here to help you understand and prepare for the upcoming harmonized sales tax. HST Ontario is not affiliated with the Canadian or Federal Government. HST Ontario is strictly for educational purposes.

HST Timeline

• March 2009 – The Province of Ontario announces that they will pursue merging PST & GST into a single sales tax called HST.
• April 30 2010 – On May 1^st 2010 any subscription, air fare or membership extending beyond July 1^st 2010 will be subject to HST.  For example: April 30^th will be the last day to purchase a plane ticket for a flight after July 1 without paying HST.
• July 1^st 2010 – HST officially launches in Ontario and British Columbia Canada, joining 3 other Canadian Provinces.

The Debate

Although HST is not a simple black and white issue, the root of the argument is. The ongoing HST debate is led by those that believe HST is good and those that do not.

Our article Debating HST in Ontario takes a brief look at the opposing sides in the HST conversation.