The McGuinty government betrayed Ontario's First Nations people by imposing the harmonized sales tax (HST) without consulting them prior to entering into the deal with the federal government, said the province's NDP leader, Andrea Horwath, while visiting Orillia on Sunday.
"That is why they are so upset and rightfully so," she said. "The McGuinty Liberals had an obligation that they broke to the First Nations people in Ontario."
When the HST comes into effect July 1, the 8% provincial sales tax will be combined with the 5% federal goods and services tax, resulting in a 13% tax on many products and services not previously taxed. The HST eliminates the First Nations' provincial retail sales tax point-of-sale exemption.
"The McGuinty government had an obligation to speak to First Nations to talk to them about anything that was going to affect their treaty rights," Horwath said. "The provincial government here in Ontario has sent a very clear signal that they are not respectful of the relationship they should be developing with First Nations."
Rama Chief Sharon Stinson Henry told The Packet & Times that Rama has voiced its concern over the controversial move at every opportunity.
Rama community members, with transportation provided by the First Nation, are attending a provincewide protest rally at Parliament Hill March 10 in opposition of the HST.
"I'm not surprised the First Nations are undertaking these actions and I expect to see more of them," Horwath said. "I think they are doing whatever they can to raise the issue and raise attention to the issue."
While Ontario feels the effects of the costs of everyday living with the new tax, First Nations will feel double the impact, she said.
In the past, residents of First Nations did not pay retail sales tax.
"Going into this fall, for example, everything from children's clothes to school supplies... is going to be that much more expensive and it's not something they are accustomed to in terms of those cost increases," she said.
Taxing First Nations is hitting the wallets of those "living in some of the worst poverty of anybody in the province," Horwath said.
"There's poor housing, there's poor water often, there's lack of good health care, there's all kinds of problems already facing First Nations communities," she said. "These increased costs are just going to make life a lot more difficult."
Horwath says First Nations can apply to the federal government on a quarterly basis for refunds, but she suspects many won't.
"But that means keeping receipts and keeping track," she said. "That's not something that's going to happen with everyone."
Horwath spoke at the Best Western Mariposa Inn and Conference Centre on Sunday to support a fundraiser for the Simcoe North provincial NDP riding association.
The March 7 date also marked her one-year anniversary as the Ontario NDP leader.
"It hasn't been an easy job over the last year, but it has definitely, definitely been a very rewarding job," Horwath said.
The leader congratulated the local riding association for looking ahead to the 2011 provincial election with its fundraiser.
"I know we have a heck of a lot of work to do between now and then," she said. "I want to congratulate you on starting that work here and now by starting to strengthen your riding associations by having this fundraiser."