There are concerns in Hanover over the province’s plan to harmonize the GST and PST.
Councillor Bob White fears the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax will have a detrimental impact on Hanover’s children and youth recreation programs.
He says the estimated additional costs to user groups and participants is incredible.
Aquatic Lessons and Children and Youth Camp Programs would each increase by 11 thousand dollars, Minor Hockey Fees would rise by 8 thousand dollars, Minor Soccer by 4 thousand dollars, Figure Skating by 3 thousand dollars and Minor Ball by almost 2 thousand dollars.
This doesn’t even include the impact the HST would have on facility rental costs.
Minor Hockey facility rental costs would jump 6 thousand dollars, Board of Education Swimming Programs would rise 45 hundred dollars and Figure Skating would increase by 12 hundred dollars.
White says families can not afford to absorb this type of increase.
He calls it ironic that the Province plans to subject recreation rental and registration fees to the Harmonized Sales Tax.
White notes on one hand the province is encouraging youth to be active in order to combat rising obesity rates.
And on the other hand the Province is making it more financially difficult for parents to enrol their children in programs like minor sports.
As a result Hanover is petitioning the Province to exempt recreation facility rental and registration fees from the HST.