One of the selling points made for the Blended Sales Tax in Ontario is that it would create efficiencies in sales tax collection. The federal government alone would deal with sales taxes, not both the feds and the province of Ontario. This should have meant fewer employees. Unfortunately, this is not the case and will actually mean even MORE dollars spent than before!

As Tristan Emmanuel explains in his article, "Time for a Tax Revolt in Ontario," 1251 Ontario tax collectors will be transfered to the federal government because of the BST. Yet, even though none are losing jobs, and most aren't even losing offices or a single day of work, they are still being paid $45,000 each for this change! This adds up to $25 million in severance for employees that aren't even "severed" -- just transferred.

Too bad Ontario either could not or did not take the same approach as British Coumbia. Finance Minister Colin Hansen said, "These employees are not entitled to severance because their jobs are not being terminated."

Premier McGuinty already won our Teddy Waste Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007. Too bad he doesn't rest on his laurels instead of throwing money everywhere--even to bureaucrats who won't work for him anymore!