MONTREAL – Bell has thrown its support behind the Ontario government’s plan to implement a single sales tax structure next year, saying the move means that Bell could “accelerate its investment in the province”.
"As has been the experience in other provinces in which Bell operates, savings from a single sales tax structure will accelerate our investment in Ontario. Fewer dollars going toward taxes in 2010 mean more dollars that Bell will reinvest in our networks and service in the province next year," said George Cope, president and CEO of Bell and BCE, in a statement.
The harmonization of the PST and GST would result in the elimination of sales tax on the network and other equipment Bell uses to deliver services to customers in Ontario. Cope called the harmonization a “welcome recognition of the contribution communications companies like Bell make to the province’s economy”. Approximately 24,000 Of BCE’s 50,000 employees work in Ontario.
"BCE has already committed to invest approximately $3 billion across Canada in 2009, and about $1.5 billion of that total will be spent in Ontario”, Cope continued. “Even in the midst of current economic conditions, we’re making these multi-billion investments in our team, our broadband networks and our service operations in order to deliver a better Bell customer experience at every level".
