Unfortunately most of Northern Ontario, with electricity rates, the loss of the forest and mining industries and the inability of governments to undertake capital spending on things like roads or resource development which are dependent on the whims of numerous First Nations, many of which cannot agree among themselves, is reminiscent of the dirty thirties.  There is little or no industrial tax base so much of the load is carried by residential/commercial taxes.  The number one industry in many communities involves support for First Nations including administrative, consultative, engineering, health services, etc., etc., etc. and I'm not sure what kind of municipal taxes these services provide, if any.  They may well be exempt.  A 1 percent increase in the HST would therefore  likely be helpful for infrastructure support in the north but is highly unlikely given next year's election and the desire of the Liberals to do almost anything to get re-elected.