TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) announced its support today for the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, the Daily Bread Food Bank, and other groups who are opposing the provincial government's proposed taxation of meals under $4.00.

"This government is addicted to taxing-and-spending - and it's the public that ends up paying," said CTF Ontario Director Tasha Kheiriddin. "Now they want to tax meals under $4.00. They're like the schoolyard bully taking the poor kid's lunch money. Where will it stop "

According to figures released by the food industry, 95% of meals purchased at the workplace and in hospital cafeterias cost under $4.00, as do 86% of meals purchased in school cafeterias. The tax exemption was instituted because it is recognized that many Ontarians, including schoolchildren and workers, cannot eat all of their meals at home.

Premier Dalton McGuinty has stated that he has "a real concern about childhood obesity," which has been linked to fast-food meals. But according to Kheiriddin, "This isn't about fighting fat. It's about gouging taxpayers to pay for Liberal spending."

To date, the provincial government has made over $2 billion in new spending commitments, including $10 million in provincial tourism marketing, $576 million to write off closed coal plants, and $350,000 on Pre-Budget Town Hall meetings. At the same time, the government is faced with a potential deficit of up to $5.6 billion.

"Mr. McGuinty promised voters during the election not to raise taxes or run a deficit. Yet, in his first few months in office, he has cancelled tax relief to the tune of $800 million and has done nothing to cut waste in government," Kheiriddin said. "He should be ashamed to be planning this $200 million tax grab, especially on Ontarians who can least afford it."