The governing Liberals are starting the formal review of the $2.6-billion health tax even though Premier Dalton McGuinty has already ruled out abolishing the levy.
The Liberals quietly tasked a legislative committee with the review before the house rose for the winter break last week.
The committee, which is dominated by government members, will review the health tax that was imposed in 2004 despite a promised tax freeze.
McGuinty has already said the province can't afford to eliminate the health premium, which costs every eligible taxpayer in the province as much as $900 a year.
Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory says the Liberals should skip the review altogether and just get on with scrapping the tax.
He says the province is rolling in extra cash and can afford to cut taxes.
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