Ontario's Conservative leader says the Harmonized Sales Tax will produce pain at the pumps for consumers. If the HST was in play today, says Tim Hudak, gas would be over a dollar a litre.

"The average family driving an average car, you're looking at $246 a year more in gas alone. That's unaffordable," Hudak says.

Your electrical and heating bill is also going up, as will home repair, like plumbing or electrical work.

But there are exemptions, like basic groceries, prescription drugs and condo fees. And some things will be taxed at five per cent - not 13, like children's clothing and prepared foods under $4.

Full list of affected items released

The Globe and Mail published a full list of exemptions, which include:

  • Basic groceries
  • Municipal water
  • Municipal public transit
  • Some international travel originating in Ontario
  • Auto insurance
  • Previously occupied homes
  • Most medical services
  • Prescription drugs
  • Music lessons
  • Condo fees
  • Residential rents
  • Child-care services
  • Legal aid
  • Mortgage interest
  • Most financial services

Also, these items will only be subject to the five per cent federal portion of the HST:

  • Books and printed newspapers
  • Prepared foods under $4
  • Children’s clothing
  • Children’s footwear
  • Child car seats and booster seats
  • Diapers
  • Feminine hygiene products

But these items will be subject to the full brunt of the new tax:

  • Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, vitamins
  • At home: real-estate commissions; residential electricity and heating; landscaping, lawn care, snow removal and house cleaning; repair or maintenance services (e.g. plumber, electrician); Internet access services
  • Around the house: magazines by subscription, private resale of vehicles, gasoline/diesel, new homes over $400,000
  • Professional help: dry cleaning, massage therapy, funeral services, hairstylist or barber, esthetician services, accounting services, legal services
  • Sports and arts: fitness trainer, gym and athletic memberships, fitness lessons, green fees for golf, tickets for live theatre (venues of 3,200 seats or less)
  • Travel: hotel rooms, taxis, camping sites, domestic air, rail and bus travel originating in province

Income tax cut should soften blow: Liberals

The Liberal government says it's also given Ontarians an income tax cut and so when HST arrives, it'll be more like being hit by a pillow than a truck.

"On 83 per cent of things, we already pay 13 per cent, so there will be no change," says Ottawa MPP Yasir Naqvi.

And the government is also sending most people a cheque this month to soften the impact. Single parents or families with a combined income of less than $160,000 will get a $330 dollar payment - with further payments to come.

Opposition from consumers

Not everyone is impressed.

"Basically for me, it's just more money out of my pocket," said one person speaking to CTV.

"I drive about 100 kilometres a day so that's going to be a pretty significant price increase for me," added another.

The Liberals believe those payments to families and personal income tax cuts will blunt Ontario opposition to the HST, but consumer rage may still factor in to the election in fall 2011.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley