NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the McGuinty government may apply its unpopular Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to IBI autism therapy costs for children, adding further financial strain on vulnerable families.

“HST on IBI? What else is this government going to heap on vulnerable families?” Horwath said. “This comes on top of all the other pressures the McGuinty government has heaped on families with a child with autism. Adding the HST to a family’s bills for autism treatment is beyond unconscionable.”

Research into whether the HST will apply to IBI confirmed that the government is anticipating that the new eight per cent tax will apply in some cases. According to the Ministry of Finance, IBI therapy may be exempt if the practicing psychologist is exempt and registered in the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Ironically, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services eliminated this as a requirement for parents obtaining IBI for their children.

“We’re told it is impossible for the appropriate tax officials to provide a blanket response,” Horwath said. “It depends on the person providing the service and whether the person is a medical practitioner or referred by a medical practitioner. The government expects parents to contact the tax office with details of their specific case then wait for a written response ‘free of charge’ on whether the particular services are HST applicable.

“It’s another arduous hurdle for parents and it’s salt in the wound,” Horwath said.

Horwath was joined today at a Queen’s Park press conference by parents like Paul Ceretti and Laura Kirby-McIntosh, who are fighting for all children with autism to have access to IBI, rather than waiting lists, service denials and terminations which characterize the McGuinty government’s approach. One of Ceretti’s autistic twin daughters, Delanie, was cut off IBI and is regressing while her twin sister Mackenzie still receives IBI and continues to improve.

“Someone needs to take a hard, impartial look at what’s happening to children with autism and their families in Ontario,” Horwath said, “starting immediately with a decision that IBI won’t be subject to the HST.”