The Ontario NDP caucus has successfully secured an additional day of public hearings on the McGuinty government’s Harmonized Sales Tax legislation.

“We stood up for the interests of Ontarians and used the tools available to us in the Legislative rulebook to gain an additional day of hearings. We are pleased our efforts have paid off,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

The NDP success comes after an unprecedented and ultimately successful sub-committee motion to conduct hearings overnight if necessary – a motion that was ruled in order earlier today by Speaker Steve Peters.

“It is clear that our efforts boxed the McGuinty government into a corner. We are glad Ontarians now have an extra day to come to Queen’s Park to voice their concerns on an unfair tax that will make the basic essentials of life eight per cent more expensive,” said Horwath.

Under the agreement struck with the government this afternoon, Ontarians will have one extra hour to make deputations on Thursday, Dec. 3 and five extra hours on Monday, Dec. 7.

“This is a win for the 110,000-plus Ontarians who have signed our anti-HST petition. And it’s a win for the NDP caucus here at Queen’s Park. We’ve once again shown that when it comes to holding the McGuinty government to account on the issues that matter, Ontarians can rely on the NDP,” said Horwath.