McGuinty's problem with the HST

Today, the Ontario government used it's majority to force through a new tax on Ontarians. It's a tax that polls show 75% of the population are against.

Despite public opposition, McGuinty has tried to argue the benefits of harmonizing the federal and provincial sales tax. When you look at it from a purely 'communications, perspective, McGuinty may have won the battle and lost the war.

What do I mean by this? I simply mean that Dalton McGuinty might just have lost the 2011 election with the HST legislation he passed today.

Let's look at the overwhelming message that the public has gotten on this issue. All the soundbites and video clips on the news have been from thos opposed to the HST. There've even been protests at Queen's Park and streets closed by protesters.

Why's the opposition getting all the coverage?

Easy, they're able to get their key messages across in soundbites.

Meanwhile, McGuinty's point man on the issue, Revenue Minister Jim Wilkinson, has to take 45 minutes to an hour to explain the minute details as to why the HST is actually positive for the Ontario economy.

If you can't work your messages into statements that can be easily covered on the news - you lose the communications battle.