HST
B.C.’s provincial government intends to create a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) by merging the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) with the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). The merged tax will be 12%, but will have many fewer exemptions than the current PST does. Bicycles, safety equipment, school supplies, energy efficient technologies, and restaurant meals are some highlights from the long list of things will go from being taxed at 5% to being taxed at 12%. Unusually, groups from across the political spectrum have offered outspoken opposition to the HST, from left-of-centre groups who believe sales taxes are socially regressive, to right-of-centre groups such as the National Citizens’ Coalition who point out that increasing sales tax burden through harmonisation has never been successfully attempted during an economic downturn and may kill any economic recovery in British Columbia (and in Ontario which is planning to go down the same path). Polls indicate that a strong majority of British Columbians, between 80% and 90%, are opposed to merging the PST with the GST to create an HST in our province.
The main website for opposition to BC’s HST is at fighthst.com/ and has a wealth of information on it. Opponents of the HST are organising to fight it on two fronts: the first is a citizen’s initiative petition, sponsored by former premier Bill Vander Zalm, that if it attracts enough signatures will seek to compel the provincial government to abandon the HST, or hold a referenum before introducing it; the second attempt would use provincial recall legislation to remove members of the provincial legislature that vote in favour of the HST, as a prelude to a vote to repeal it after the fact. Langford is in the Juan de Fuca riding, and our MLA (John Horgan) has stated his opposition to the HST, so the citizen’s initiative is how people in our area can get involved in opposing it.
To be successful, a citizen’s initiative petition must get signatures of 10% of all the voters in each riding in the province. There will be a citizen’s initiative petition against the HST this year, and for it to succeed local volunteers in each riding will need to help collect signatures in their riding. Our riding of Juan de Fuca includes The Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, East Sooke, Sooke, and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.
To get involved in the local effort (whether in a big way or a small way), please email me or call me at 250 885 0717.
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Steven Hurdle
Cheryl McLachlan said
So even if the anti-HST vote succeeds possibly provincial tax PST could be added to pub & restaurant meals (food people need) and Green alternatives likes bicycles and other necessities like educational books – BC Libs BC Liars yet again it eeems.
“Falcon’s approach seems weirdly wrong.
The HST initiative called for a return to the provincial sales tax, with the exemptions. Campbell promised a binding vote on that question.
But Falcon says is it doesn’t matter what voters say in the referendum, the government is free to leave the tax hike in place. The government knows best.
Which is the attitude and approach that cost Campbell his job.
Clark’s narrow byelection victory should be a warning. She has not yet won over voters and hopes for a fresh start can fade fast.
A betrayal on the fundamental HST issue would be disastrous.”
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Willcocks+column+Liberals+looking+sneaky+referendum/4784688/story.html#ixzz1MOiruXOp
Innocent Bystander said
Campbell’s promise is going to haunt the Liberals for a long time. The polling on the HST isn’t good, business is reluctant to publicly back an unpopular tax, and the public doesn’t trust Clark’s suggestion that the rate could be lowered or unpopular items removed from taxation.
So now it looks like the “hail Mary pass” is to tell people that even if they vote to repeal the HST, the Government will just do what it wants. I guess Clark thinks that if Falcon delivers the bad news then people will still like her.
Kim Hughes said
Canada Post has issued a nationwide lockout notice. Looks like the HST debate has some more time!
Cheryl McLachlan said
For those interested in protesting the Lock Out and supporting their local letter carriers and other postal staff:
“The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is asking you to contact newly appointed Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra and ask him to:
1.Lift the lockout immediately so workers can get back to work
2. Make a public commitment that the Canada Post Corporation will permit CUPW members to deliver social assistance and pension cheques. This was an initiative of the union.
3. Reinstate the CUPW Urban Operations Collective Agreement immediately. Once it is reinstated CUPW members will return to work and CUPW will keep negotiating.
4.. Provide Canada Post’s negotiators with a new mandate. Until now their only mandate has been to say “No” to the union’s proposals. Canada Post has also made demands for major concessions that it refuses to drop.”
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1017
Cheryl McLachlan said
Check out this website if you want info. about fighting the HST:
http://fighthst.com/
The lead article (for now) is about signage:
“The BCCLA is weighing in on reports that city officials in Vancouver and Chilliwack have been removing citizens’ political signs about the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Referendum placed on public property like boulevards and meridians.”