Ontario offers tax break on Energy Star products

subscribe

The province is giving a tax break to people who buy certain energy-efficient products.

Starting July 19, anyone who buys Energy Star light bulbs and appliances won't be charged provincial sales tax at the till.

The deal, announced Wednesday by Premier Dalton McGuinty, will last for one year.

But the opposition said this is just a flip-flop designed to get the Liberals re-elected Oct. 10.

Conservative Tim Hudak said the Liberals cancelled a similar tax credit program in 2004 that also refunded the PST to customers who bought Energy Star products.

He said the Liberals have resurrected the tax break just in time for the fall election.

"This is conversion on the road to electoral defeat," Hudak said. But McGuinty said the Liberal refund is different and more convenient because people don't have to wade through applications – they are exempted from paying PST right at the cash register.

"We've brought back a plan today which is a much stronger incentive," McGuinty said, adding the previous Conservative tax credit only had a "modest impact."

"We've gone beyond that."

The announcement is part of the Liberals' climate-change plan being rolled out as the summer election campaign gets underway.

Related News

schott-powers-german-plants-with-green-electricity

Schott Powers German Plants with Green Electricity

BERLIN - Schott, a leading specialty glass manufacturer, is advancing its sustainability initiatives by integrating green electricity into its operations. Through a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with green energy specialist ane.energy, Schott aims to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and move closer to its goal of climate-neutral production by 2030.

Transition to Renewable Energy

As of February 2025, Schott has committed to sourcing approximately 14.5 gigawatt-hours of clean energy annually from a solar park in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. This renewable energy will power Schott's headquarters in Mainz and its plants in Grünenplan, Mitterteich, and Landshut. The CPPA covers about 5%…

READ MORE
powerlines

ERCOT Issues RFP to Procure Capacity to Alleviate Winter Concerns

READ MORE

hvdc

Project examines potential for Europe's power grid to increase HVDC Technology

READ MORE

Nuclear alert investigation won't be long and drawn out, minister says

READ MORE

Germany should stop lecturing France on nuclear power, says Eon boss

READ MORE