Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to news reports that the provincial government is considering imposing a "tire tax" of $4 per car tire and $6 per truck tire, ostensibly to fund recycling programs.

"Just when you think Dalton McGuinty might start to keep his word, he goes right back to his promise-breaking ways. He pledged in his latest budget not to increase taxes, and less than a month later one of his Cabinet Ministers threatens to do exactly that. How can taxpayers believe anything this Premier says " asked Tasha Kheiriddin, Ontario Director of the CTF.

The last time a tire tax was imposed was under the government of David Peterson in 1989. Only 10% of the approximately $120 million collected ever went to recycling projects, with the remainder disappearing into general revenue. The project did nothing to benefit the environment and was ended four years later by the government of Bob Rae.

"The tire tax didn't work last time, so why bring it back " said Kheiriddin. "This government has already flattened taxpayers with its Health Tax. Ontarians have seen their provincial tax bills jump 16% in one year and they cannot afford any more taxes."

Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky commented to the Toronto Star that the levy is not a tax because the money is to offset the cost of recycling tires. She stated, "When I think of a tax I think of money that goes directly to the government." Kheiriddin responded, "This tax is the result of a recommendation by Waste Diversion Ontario, an organization which was set up by the government. It would be used for a government-imposed initiative. It is a tax."

Concluded Kheiriddin, "First the Health Premium was not a tax. Now a tire tax is not a tax. This government is playing with words while taxpayers pay through the nose."