By: ANTONELLA ARTUSO, QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF - Toronto Sun

 

If Ontario Liberals are wondering why voters are flocking to a fiscal conservative like Rob Ford, they should look to the latest Statistics Canada figures that show provincial residents are facing the largest consumer price hikes in the country, says Tory MPP Peter Shurman.

 

It is this added financial burden for Ontarians — not the “politics of anger” as stated by Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne — that is fuelling support for Ford, he said.

 

“So when Kathleen Wynne runs around saying, ‘Oh, (PC Leader Tim) Hudak is practising the same politics of anger that Rob Ford is,’ no, no no Kathleen,” he said. “This is not about the politics of anger. This is about anger. And we didn’t make it happen.”

 

According to Statistics Canada, the price that Ontarians paid for common household products and services rose 2.9% between August 2009 and August 2010.

 

Electricity, auto insurance premiums and gasoline — which includes the new Harmonized Sales Tax — contributed to higher consumer costs.

 

“Who at this point, aside from some people on bloated public sector contracts, can afford to sustain that?” Shurman said. “We’re looking at the second month in a row where the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Ontario is approaching double what it is in other provinces and in the rest of the country.”

 

NDP MPP Peter Tabuns said the numbers are proof that the HST has made it more difficult for Ontario families.

 

“When I talk to people, particularly seniors, they already feel it in their pocketbooks,” he said. “They can’t afford to pay more in HST so that Dalton McGuinty can give a corporate tax cut.”

 

Ontario Revenue Minister Sophia Aggelonitis said the government anticipated that the HST would have a short-term impact on prices, and has taken steps such as tax cuts, sales tax credits and temporary tax rebates to support people through the transition period.