The Ontario government has introduced a bill that will switch the province to a single harmonized sales tax on July 1, 2010. The Ontario HST will combine the eight percent provincial sales tax with the five percent federal goods and services tax (GST) to create a single 13 percent sales tax administered by the federal government.

In the process, Ontario consumers will have to pay more taxes on things like gas, heating fuels and electricity, and personal services like lawyers, accountants, hair cuts and taxi fares. At the same time the Ontario government will provide $10.6 billion over three years in personal income tax relief to help consumers through the transition. That includes cuts in provincial personal income taxes and direct payments or rebates.

The province of Nova Scotia has continued its annual tradition of sending a giant Christmas tree to Boston to thank its people for the aid in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion of 1917. Relief from Boston was the first to arrive the day after the explosion that killed 1,900 people and wounded another 9,000. The New Englanders were also the last to leave.

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Air Canada will now be charging economy class passengers extra for seats in exit rows and bulkhead seats at the front of aircraft sections which provide some extra legroom. Up to now the seats have been complimentary. The option to make advanced reservations for the seats on any flight operated by Air Canada or Jazz is called "Preferred Seats" and can be purchased, subject to availability, when you book your flight or any time before you check in. The amount of the extra fee will depend on the length of the flight, the fare class and the customer's Aeroplan status. The fee ranges anywhere from $14 for a one-way trip of up to 350 miles on Tango Plus or Latitude up to $100 for some international flights.

The charge will apply to new mothers with infants who were routinely placed in bulkhead seats with a "sky cot" bassinet.

It's all part of Air Canada's efforts to find cost savings and boost profits, and it's part of a growing trend. WestJet already charges up to $15 to reserve seats with extra legroom. It wouldn't be quite so bad if Air Canada didn't pitch the fee as "responding to consumer demands."

Photo: John Li / Getty Images

More on Travel for Canadians
Air Travel Complaints in Canada
Apply for Your Canadian Passport
Travel Documents to Enter the U.S.
Air Travel in Canada

Every year more than 11,000 Canada Post volunteers, both employees and retirees, help make sure children get replies to their letters to Santa. Children from all over the world can take advantage of the program, and their letters are answered in the language in which they are written, even Braille. There's an email option too. Make a note of the address to write to Santa, for both regular mail and email, and a few tips for those letters.

Photo: Janis Christie / Getty Images

More on Christmas in Canada:
International Holiday Mail Deadlines 2009
Christmas Lesson Plans K-8
Christmas Worksheets K-8
Christmas Stories Online