OTTAWA – Despite publicly opposing the Conservatives’ HST plan, Michael Ignatieff is now endorsing it. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty confirmed today that Ignatieff has guaranteed that the federal Liberals will follow through with the highly unpopular plan should they form the next government.

“Michael Ignatieff has called the Conservatives’ plan ‘dishonest’, referred to it as the Harper Sales Tax and promised that he would not raise taxes,” said New Democrat Deputy Finance Critic Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain). “Is this what we are to expect from the Liberal Leader: Make a public announcement opposing the Harper Conservatives and then privately support their plans?”

The Harmonised Sales Tax has faced strong opposition since the Conservative government signed agreements with Ontario and British Columbia to combine the federal and provincial sales taxes. Because the GST is charged on more products and services than existing provincial sales taxes, harmonization will increase the cost on many of the everyday things people buy for their families.

“By walking in lockstep with the Prime Minister and linking arms with Dalton McGuinty, Ignatieff is green-lighting tax increases for Ontario families on everything from children's shoes to electricity and gasoline,” said Charlton. “On the eve of a possible election, Mr. Ignatieff is showing his inexperience by saying different things to different people.  He owes Ontarians an explanation, and should come clean with British Columbians about any secret agreements he’s made with BC’s Liberal Premier.”

McGuinty on Ignatieff's support for the HST: