No more taxes!

The new harmonized sales tax proposed by the BC Liberals, to be put in place for July 1, 2010 is easily the best way to destroy our recovering economy.

On paper, the harmonized tax looks as though it won’t change the cost of any goods as you currently purchase them.

This is untrue.

The harmonized sales tax forces consumers to pay what was previously the goods and service tax on goods that was not previously taxed, thus increasing the price of things such as “non-essential” groceries, as determined by the government.

First and foremost, how do the BC Liberals intend on paying for the tax rebates promised by switching to the harmonized sales tax? The BC Liberal website claims that there will be yet another low income tax credit, just as there is with the carbon tax. It claims that there will be rebates on all new housing projects, as well as rebates for municipalities, churches and other qualifying non-profit organizations. The Liberals state the harmonized sales tax will remove over $2 billion in costs from B.C. businesses. With the Canadian government only giving the province

$1.6 billion to cover the transition to the new harmonized tax, where will the money be found to cover the costs of the rebates, as there is no new government income being created, if you ask the BC Liberals.

So how does the government propose that the taxpayers pay for their own rebates? It seems that there is no answer provided. Make no mistake, this inability to answer where the money to pay for the tax shift is problematic, and could undermine the economic recovery we currently have in place.

Why do we suddenly need to switch to this new harmonized sales tax?

Ever since Premier Gordon Campbell won his first term in government, the BC Liberals have been trumpeting how British Columbia is the best place on earth. There’s no disputing that from me, but if British Columbia is such an attractive place to live and set up businesses, why is the government so interested in suddenly fiddling with the tax system that made us the best place on earth, especially at such a critical moment when the economy is beginning to experience positive growth again.

What do they hope to gain by changing how we pay taxes?

This is just another choice made by the BC Liberals. A choice to protect and help their friends in big business instead of helping the middle class of British Columbia.

No help for B.C. families, just B.C. CEOs.

Say no to the harmonized sales tax.

BC Rail emails required

So, the BC Supreme Court has ordered the BC Liberals to hand over emails regarding their sale of BC Rail and the alleged improprieties of the sale. It seems clear now that the courts, at least, think there is something to be gained from a more thorough investigation into the Campbell government, and its improperly deleted emails. We were told during the May election campaign that there was nothing improper done by the BC Liberals in the sale of BC Rail, yet the sitting Justice found there was enough probable cause to ask for these records. So where are they Premier Campbell? Why is it that you and your co-defendants are having such troubles giving the court all the documents that have been asked for?
What we're seeing here is a pattern of events showing Premier Campbell and his BC Liberal allies do not believe they is constrained by the law, and that it should have no bearing upon them being allowed to keep their jobs as public servants. What does it say about a government that only forces its members to resign when they're apprehended for their wrongdoings, instead of resigning prior to the arrest and avoiding conflicts of interest? It tells me that Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals cannot be trusted on matters of integrity such as the sale of a crown company. If our government doesn’t have belief in their good faith on a sale bid, how can we trust them to follow through for British Columbia’s interests at any other time? How can we trust the BC Liberals if they continue to act in a manner that flaunts the law and the public trust?
The people of British Columbia deserve full disclosure about the BC Rail sale Premier Campbell; you didn't give it to the People when BC New Democrats asked you before, will you do so now that both the NDP and the courts require it?