To hold a referendum or not to hold a referendum: THAT is the question….
Whether it would be nobler to let the people vote …. or just get on with it in the legislature?
I say Get On With It!!!
The referendum process is so flawed all it would do is allow another delay of up to a year, cost $30 million and it would NOT stop the HST.
It’s time for BC’s MLAs to stop hiding, bring the matter before the legislature and let the voters see exactly where our elected representatives stand on not only the tax …but the huge outpouring of anger and anti-HST sentiment raging across the province.
Those who believe the tax is good for BC should be proud enough to say so in the legislature and publicly vote to support it.
The government might like the referendum option because its MLAs could hide for another year, hoping the public’s emotion s will die down; all the while knowing full well the chances of the vote meeting the requirements for it to pass are realistically impossible.
I realize those who hate the HST might like the idea of a province-wide vote. They need to keep it real: to pass, the vote would require 50 per cent APPROVAL on not just those who cast ballots but in numbers huge enough to reflect 50 per cent of the registered voters in each riding. Virtually impossible.
And even then, the referendum results would NOT be binding on the government!
The petition proved the public does have the power to pressure our MLAs …..but the fix is clearly in to make sure that, when it comes to holding referendum votes, the public has no real power between elections.
What has to change are the rules governing such referenda …but that’s another battle at another time.
In the meantime, the petition should be brought before the legislature PRONTO; get the MLAs back to work; and let the people see and hear where they each stand.
Harv Oberfeld
30 responses so far ↓
1 Crankypants // Aug 25, 2010 at 4:39 am
I agree completely with you. Going the referendum route is nothing but a stall tactic.
I’ve heard the argument, mostly from Christy Clark, that the committee that deals with the petition should opt for a province wide referendum because there could be a proper debate. The way I look at it is that the government should have had the debate before they chose to implement the HST. Even when they announced their intentions to go the HST route they basically turtled. They didn’t even have the intestinal fortitude to let people know what would or wouldn’t be taxed with any kind of a comprehensive list until just shortly before it became a fact of life. The add they ran on the radio were misleading.
Even today Colin Hansen states that basic foods are HST exempt. Tell that to the lactose intolerant person who must pay HST on soy or rice milk. Is that not a basic food to them?
(Response: To be honest, I’m not a great fan of referenda generally …because most people just vote their emotions, biases or party loyalties without really looking into the pros and cons of any issue put before them. But HST is different …people are very well aware of the pros (for big business) and the cons (for consumers) so a referendum could work ..if the rules were fair. But the BC are like something out of a Third world dictatorship… more of an insult/mockery of the people than allowing them any real expression. h.o)
2 Robert R // Aug 25, 2010 at 10:51 am
I live in Vancouver-Langara and I heard but can’t prove it my MLA is Dr. Moira Stillwell, I assume ( bad move) she’s out there somewhere.
(Response: Well, mine is Margaret McDiarmid and I’ve never seen her do anything of much importance for her riding …but she is out there in the news, slashing education programs! Funny thing … I’ve heard of her ..but she had never heard of me. During the campaign, she came to my door, with a perky assistant at her side. I told them I wasn’t sure how I’d vote..but had some concerns about Campbell’s growing arrogance and spending on huge projects and overruns (Olympics, Convention Centre, BC Rail etc.). She assured me that if I met him personally I’d find he was approachable and had a very good grasp on public spending. When I replied I had known him personally …for about 35 years … she and her aide looked at me curiously ..but clearly hadn’t a clue. Wonder if she still put me down as “undecided”. h.o)
3 sunshine coast girl // Aug 25, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Apparently Gordo, Huggie and the rest have been out pounding the pavement on this summers’ BBQ circuit (although I haven’t actually met anyone who has run across any of them anywhere.) Huggie says the anger has dissipated and that people are starting to support the tax. Put your money where your mouth is, Huggie. Have your boss hold a free vote. I totally agree with Harvey. If you support it, you should have the pride to stand up and say so publicly. And then voters will tell you whether we agree with you or not.
4 mountainbear // Aug 25, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Those liberals are such a bunch of worthless 2 bit cowards! they don’t even have the conviction to stand and be counted at the legislature.
5 ed2ward // Aug 25, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Crankypants, I don’t believe there is HST on soy or rice milk. What you are being charged extra is for the annoying recycle fee on the container, and there is HST on that amount.
6 Keith // Aug 25, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Do we really think that a “free” vote will be a “free” vote. I dont think so. I think if a “free” vote will take place, the premier will instruct his members to vote in favor of the HST. There may be some who will vote with their constituence in mind but, imo, it will be “organized” as such that the majority still prevails. I think Gordon Campbell is arrogant enough to play the game and face the public in a recall campaign and also in 3 years time hoping we all are used to the HST and have mostly forgotten about it all. Or at least can live with it then.
7 D.G.B // Aug 25, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Well, when the recall petitions start rolling out of the gate, THAT will get the attention of the Liberal MLA’s, but it won’t save their sorry skins – too little -too late if they decide at the 11th hour to vote against it – IF they are even able at that point. Yes, they’ve all been hiding in the trench (or bunker on Superior St), and haven’t noticed how close their enemies (public) have moved. Yes, we’re revolting – but not as revolting as those who pretend to listen to their constituents while they really pander to the party house.
8 Ruraidh // Aug 25, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Possibly the only way for the provincial liberals to survive and the public anger against the HST to dissipate is for Campbell and Huggies Hansen to resign.
One has to admire the UK and Australian political climate – when a leader has outlived his/her usefulness, they are culled as leaders almost overnight.
No fuss. No ceremony. Action this very day.
But that will not happen in B.C., alas.
(Response: Well, I have no doubt Campbell will go …but Hansen not so sure…he may have greater political goals …down the road a few elections. h.o)
9 Paul // Aug 25, 2010 at 9:03 pm
The Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives will be meeting on September 8.
That’s exactly two weeks from now.
[1] Public meetings of the Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives are recorded and transcribed by Hansard Services.
[2] Transcripts, along with the Official Minutes, are printed and made available through the Internet on the Committee’s website.
[3] A live audio webcast of public meetings is also produced and available through the Committee’s website to enable listeners to hear the proceedings in real-time.
[4] An archived copy of the audio broadcast is retained on the Committee’s website.
—
Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, September 08, 2010
—
I’m looking forward to hearing, saving, and using this audio the next time these Liberal MLA’s decide to lie to us some more.
10 Laila Yuile // Aug 25, 2010 at 9:14 pm
According to one MLA, the HST was debated prior to implementation.
I recently had a little debate with MLA John Rustad on Facebook, in which I said the bill was passed without debate , and he said this:
” John Rustad: Laila, HST was debated in the legislature for a month (all of April). It also dominated QP and the budget debates (another two weeks from last fall and two weeks from last spring).
August 20 at 9:33am ”
I guess he thinks that is enough debate, therefore it’s a democratic process. On his public profile, which is quite prolific.
Speaking of another topic, Harvey did you hear the story News 1130 broke, that no other press has jumped on? The Port Mann Bridge won’t be finished in 2012 after all, only partially, yet we still have to start paying tolls a year prior to completion!
I called the premiers office, unfortunately he is on ” personal time” for the next two weeks, and Shirley Bond has nothing to say yet, but she will be at a newser tomorrow for Translink,so expect the questions to be put to her about why the contradicting news, considering Campbell just told us last month, the bridge was still on time, and on budget.
I suspect they need the money from tolls to complete the darn bridge.
Anyways, see the whole story here, and the reporter from 1130( Dave White) is going to try and update us tomorrow.
http://lailayuile.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/the-truth-will-set-you-free-but-first-it-will-piss-you-off/
(Response: Hadn’t heard the bridge story..but was out of province for a few days. As for an HST debate having already taken place… NOT on the post election Ottawa proposed deal with Ottawa! And certainly not after the “new information” came forward ..like 700,000 British Columbians who are made as hell!! h.o)
11 Keith // Aug 25, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Ayup Harvey,
My liberal MLA isn’t hiding, according to the local newspaper, he’s in his new office, located in the municipal offices with the mayor & council fielding ‘phone calls from supporters of the HST.
Verily tis the nobler thing to do, but would suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (or lack thereof) from the business community, if ye old gravy train was stopped before it started.
The NDP would love a free vote as we all would but not a chance. This issue will be kicked down the road proceduraly, legislatively et.al. for as long as they can. Although there are 6 rookie libs, 4 experienced NDP on the committee they have the majority and probably by the time they meet the strategy and outcome will be determined. It’s also been suggested there may be no fall sitting of the Legislature. I think it will end up in a referendum as an
” excercise in democracy, let the people speak” blah blah blah. Then, who knows,? depends on the political climate at the time.
Apart from Blair Lekstrom, nobility is a bit thin on the ground.
12 Lynn // Aug 25, 2010 at 11:12 pm
I want a vote taken in the legislature. It would be cost effective (campbell is isn’t he?).
How did Hansen get his knickname, Huggies?
13 brian in kelowna // Aug 25, 2010 at 11:59 pm
I think the Liberals are just arrogant enough to do exactly what you have stated, harv. It would serve their political agenda to delay for another year, for sure. By then, Gordo will have “retired” and a new leader could then “sell” the hst to the electorate.
Lets just hope the electorate will be fed up with the Liberals BS and send them to the political grave like they did with the Socreds. (I guess the Zalm will have killed two parties in his lifetime, not bad, WTG bill)
14 mariner // Aug 26, 2010 at 12:09 am
I hate to say it, but I don’t think we will get one single solitary reasonable option out of this BC Liberal government. They will stall and find any excuse to not deal with the inevitable.
So be it – let them do just that. Doing that will just increase the anger and disgust of the average voter in BC – to the point that they will want the RECALL IN THE FALL without any hesitation.
I honestly think that the government either has no real idea of what is happening or are just petrified and really do not know which way to turn. Whatever they do is going to be the wrong thing to do – another Campbell trait – shooting himself in the foot when lying.
It never fails – the dishonest get their deeds to come back and haunt them – just as Campbells are starting to do !!
A referendum is absolutely no use in this instance. We are dealing with a corrupt and dishonest government that just cannot be trusted period. They will do nothing to appease the people of this province and will do what is required to protect their own selfish, dispicable selves.
Thanks and can we start the recall tomorrow – please
?????
15 Willy P // Aug 26, 2010 at 12:41 am
How did Hansen get his knickname, Huggies?
Think diaper and what they usually contain;^)
The Liberal party makes me I feel like I’m watching a mortally wounded whale being hit with more harpoons. Campbell’s lost all confidence with the electorate and I suspect the noise coming next will be knives coming unsheathed. I’m sure the Liberals will realize he has to be led to the altar for the sacrifice. I still doubt that will satisfy the righteous anger as the cast and crew will still be much the same. I doubt there will be much appetite to continue on with Campbell’s, um , legacy.
(Response: What have you got against whales? Most people still love THEM.
h.o.
16 Stan M // Aug 26, 2010 at 1:11 am
Most politicians today are in a class I call VSIP (Very Self-Important People), they have huge egos and are of a view that they are totally above the average, every day voter.
This has been a trend pretty much for the last couple of decades or perhaps even longer.
You would think that gosh you just might run into your MLA, MP or even city councilor in a local neighbourhood store. Think again, many do not even live within the areas they supposedly represent and have no idea of the everyday issues that afflict the voters in their area. They are totally disconnected from the people they are sworn to represent unless of course there is a fundraiser to attend or some other function where there is a photo op of some kind with all the pre-planned, pre-arranged dignitaries in tow.
It really is a sad state of affairs. Our MP, for example, who will remain nameless really only becomes visible when an election rolls around and since she is such a terribly weak MP, the brass in Ottawa send out handlers to ensure she is standing, shaking hands at the local strip malls. If it wasn’t for elections, no one would actually see her except perhaps on her bi-monthly mail outs or pictures in the paper. I fear that if she actually walked around some areas of the riding away from her office, she would likely get lost and we’d have to send out Search and Rescue to look for her.
After saying all of this, I do know that many of our elected officials, of all parties actually do a lot of work. But in the process they define what they do as a job and a pension as opposed to a public service. Somehow, they need to connect more directly with the people they represent. In our area, it could be something as simple as taking a walk a couple of times a month through one of our neighbourhoods and simply talking to the odd passerby. That would be pretty easy here as we have a lot of walk able areas. Of course with our MP, she may need to be implanted with a GPS device similar to the one I think should have been available in Las Vegas when we took our aging mothers there.
As to the BC Liberals, well, what can I say, they have their answer book and gawd help them if they stray from it. It would be refreshing if they actually engaged in debate and spent more time mainstreeting and actually answering questions with real answers.
In my opinion, whatever that might be worth, I would like to see our system remain a parliamentary style of government but without the tight and strict party discipline that we currently have. Members should be free to speak and vote according to their conscience on issues that are not deemed as confidence issues. I think we would see a much better level of debate and legislation than we currently have.
Of course, as voters, we need to be more assertive and active in the process. We need to actually vote and not rely so heavily on “name recognition” and boosterism. If the current HST debacle does nothing else, let it be that voters actually become part of the process and take charge of the agenda.
(Response: Rarely have I agreed with so many stated ideas and views as stated in your submission. Lots of great thoughts to ponder. h.o)
17 Crankypants // Aug 26, 2010 at 2:45 am
ed2ward
There was a news story on television that ran around the time the HST was to be implemented in which the reporter was interviewing a grocery store owner. Apparently the CRA was in charge of deciding which foods were GST taxable when the GST was brought in. The grocers get a pamphlet of about 39 pages spelling out what is taxable. According to the grocer, milk that comes from animals is GST/HST free but any other milk carried the GST and now the HST.
18 blueberi2 // Aug 26, 2010 at 4:47 am
In response to Huggies Hansen queries, the nickname was awarded by one of our fellow blogggers when Hansen the finance minister announced that disposeable diapers, tradenamed Huggies, were exempt from HST.
A short time later Hansen had to admit that he was wrong. Huggies were taxable. I wish I knew the name of who came up with the name so we might acknowledge him for his wonderfully apt sense of humour – pointed out that the Huggies handle applied perfectly to Hansen because he’d need an unlimited supply to wipe the endless streams of s**t off his face as he continued correcting himself about HST errors and omissions.
19 Paul // Aug 26, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Colin “Huggies” Hansen got his nickname when he went on Global TV holding a bag of Huggies and lied about Huggies not being subject to he HST.
Here’s a picture of Huggie Hansen on Television:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_N5C8Dmr7ALU/S_I2BZ5aUaI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/j73lVH_Eol8/s1600/Colin+Huggies+Hansen.jpg
20 D. M. Johnston // Aug 26, 2010 at 4:09 pm
The current Liberal government reminds me of William Shirer’s “The Collapse of the Third Republic” and the following quote from Wikipedia is apt; “The French media had become thoroughly corrupt. Newspapers, in particular, were bought-and-paid-for mouthpieces of power factionalism.”
The Liberals MLA’s and backroom boys are scared and for many reasons, not just because of the HST. There are scores of “financial” skeletons in their closet and many of those skeletons would rank right up there with BC Railgate.
The Liberal elites have circled the wagons and now are in a sort of ‘limbo’ until the Great Gordo tells them to jump.
Just like France in early 1940, when the French General, expecting a 1914 type of war, holed up in a château, with no modern telecommunication, with only two daily dispatch riders conveying the news.
When the Germans invaded, it was 1940, not 1914 and in very quick order the General and staff were hightailing it out of said Château, leaving reams of plans, etc. most useless as they were based on land now held by the Germans, and French armies that no longer existed.
I think Campbell has fallen victim to history, where his early ‘fast-ferry’ bad-bad NDP shtick is wearing thin with the voters and Campbell himself is now the focal point of the nadir of BC politics.
Campbell, basking in his beloved Hawaii is completely unaware of the growing revulsion of himself and the party he leads and may lead the NC Liberal party into a 1940′s electoral debacle.
21 ed2ward // Aug 26, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Crankypants
Apparently HST is charged on soy and rice milk if they are in single serving containers less than 600ml.
There is no HST on packages containing several small containers, nor is there on larger containers such as one or two litres.
22 Henri Paul // Aug 26, 2010 at 7:17 pm
I recall when Tom Waterland was forest minister, with his mobile van ,as he went about his constituency ,he was always available and approachable and helpful
Good guy I liked him , met everyone at their level. Didn’t concern himself with a persons politics .
Many times wonder , will we ever see those days again?
Has there been any more mentioned of the new “BC First Party”?
(Response: Yes, Tom was very approachable, nice guy, good MLA. Things have changed so much. In thiose days most British Columbians knew almost all the cabinet ministers (like them or not) …. Today, it’s a three or four member leadership … Campbell, Hansen, Falcon and Coleman … a few mid range followers and then quite a few silent partners. Ever even heard of Ministers Steve Thompson, Ben Stewart or John Yap?
h.o
23 Lynn // Aug 26, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Thanks everyone for clarifying the Huggies nickname. I figured poo played a central role!
A lot of nazi documents were confiscated when the war was in the mop up stage. Those documents were studied and studied, some of which were used in documentaries. There are a lot of similarities of how today’s media is controlled to how it was controlled back in hitler’s day. A lot of business leader’s and celebrated coach’s study history for it’s rich information on strategies, and control. I always thought one studies history so as to not repeat mistakes and aid in helping humanity in a positive way. Instead history is being used to aid in helping corporations and shareholders.
Check out your investments. Do they contain shares in companies that are hurting humanity? Deminishing your way of life? Deminishing the quality of your neighbourhoods? Governments fund P3′s. Does that funding deminish your child’s education? Your Mom or Dad’s hip replacement?
There is a price to pay for progress, trouble is who pays for it and who should profit from it? A community or you as an investment shareholder? Who or what should be sustainable? A community or a shareholder? One foresakes the other.
Something to think about.
24 Faye // Aug 26, 2010 at 9:08 pm
The only reason the Liberals don’t want to get on with it, is that when the public sees exactly who is for it, the voters will be further inflamed making recall that much easier. What I would like to see also is Carol James promising to repeal it OR put exemptions in that make it innocuous to low income earners. eg no HST on homes valued in the bottom 20% of the local market, no HST on heating fuel (or a rebate on the first $1000 of heating costs) You see where I am going with this.
(Response: Great point on Libs not wanting to expose their MLAs as standing up for the HST …but would they waste $30 million of public funds just to delay? Probably. h.o)
25 Leah // Aug 26, 2010 at 10:43 pm
I, and an accountant friend were talking HST a couple of days ago…he asked me if I really believed that the HST was on for 1.9 billion a year. I said no, at the rate everything is being taxed, I think it’s much higher than that. He laughed at me. Then stated it will likely be between 6 to 8 billion a year!
If that’s fact, and Ottawa is collecting it (which it is)…we will receive our 1.9 billion to cover taxes big business should be paying…but where does the rest of it go? Is that why they’re saying BC’s HST is good for Canada? And why is Ottawa collecting the tax and remitting back to us? Shouldn’t we be collecting 100% of it, and remitting Ottawa’s portion to them?
Why do I feel that this tax is not only a Liberal scam, it’s also federal theft?
(Response: The government says it is revenue neutral .and they wouldn’t lie to us, would they? And even if it is … judging by how much we’re all shelling out on almost everything … it shows what a whopping tax break they have given to business!!! Meanwhile seen all those promised price reductions yet? h.o)
26 sue // Aug 27, 2010 at 1:03 am
I have a invite to Rich Coleman’s “thank you” BBQ on Sept. 12. Which is really interesting because the only contact I’ve ever had with him or his office was a complaint about long MRI wait times (I am a voter in his constituency). Bupkiss from RC. Adrian Dix, on the other hand, was most gracious in answering my email even though I am not a constituent. And I had a wonderful experience with Global TV when they interviewed me.
Rich; I’d gag on the (not free chicken) thanks all the same. But I would like to know why I have to wait another 10 months for knee surgery. And why everyone else has to wait, too.
(Response: There is no such thing as a free lunch. Especially from a politician. h.o.)
27 SC // Aug 27, 2010 at 3:20 am
All this hubbub with the HST and Campbell being an unmitigated liar, ahem, a shrewd (in his own mind) politician, I’m reminded by this old line that one of the key reasons why President George H.W. Bush re-election in 1992. “Read my lips: no new taxes”. Funny enough, didn’t Gordo essentially say that to different group regarding the HST?
It seems to me that the mantra of politicians/political parties, in particular, the BC Liberals is, let’s do the logical, most economically sensible thing for the citizens. After establishing what that is, take that, throw it out the window, and do what they want in the most ass backwards and most costly way possible (read: referendum). As others have astutely mentioned already, the Liberals wouldn’t want to put it to a vote in the Legislature where it’ll be on the record their MLA’s voted for the HST. Let’s face it, for those MLAs, come recall or election time, chances are that Abe Lincoln had a brighter future when he picked up his tickets at the box office! (can’t take full credit for that line).
Of course, when all is said and done, I’m sure Gordo and Colin could write a book “How to Lose Elections and Alienate Voters”. It’d be an interesting, but all too short of a read “have an election, lie to the voters and introduce the HST. The End” and in the bargain bin for $1.99 + HST.
28 Ian // Aug 27, 2010 at 3:09 pm
For those thinking forward, I dug up some Kevin Falcon quotes on recall, circa 1999. Kind of prescient.
http://therealstory.ca/2010-08-24/bc-politics/why-recall-kevin-falcons-four-step-plan
29 Wilson // Aug 27, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I dunno the answer on this one Oberfeld. This whole PST/HST thing has become like a scrambled egg now. You can’t just “unscramble” this mess and put it back into the shell again and pretend it never happened.
And that is the problem with this so called debate. It is all about the past. People being pissed off with how this HST shit came about and the piss poor job of Campbell and Hansen in trying to sell it. Now people are out for blood and remain pissed off. Rightfully so. But being pissed off doesn’t fix much and does not solve any problems other then we might feel better sending some MLA’s into retirement where ironically we continue to pay them on a gold plated pension anyways. Some of them at least.
I lived in Sask. when this same crap occurred there. When we got rid of the HST they brought in so many taxes to replace it that the HST actually would have been a good deal.
That is what is missing from this debate. Instead of being pissed off about the past, nobody is looking forward to how we fix this mess and how we would prefer to be taxed instead.
I kind of like the idea of a referendum only because the alternative, whatever it is, will be on the table. Right now it is basically a do this or else we recall you threat campaign and while that is well and good, that campaign does not say where the money should come from and what is the better way to tax.
One thing I did learn about the old PST system is that there was a fair amount of services that rich folk didn’t pay any PST on. I don’t see going back to that system as the answer. And here is an example why. When my place is cold in the winter I go out and spend $ 70 bucks on a radiator style heater and paid both GST and PST on that heater. My neighbor who drives his nice new Infiniti and works for the school board can afford to go out and buy a new $5k “high efficiency” furnace and guess what – he pays NO PST on that ? WTF ????? He can afford to spend $5K on a furnace and apparently can’t afford taxes ? Me, I get hit on any heater I can afford. That is just one example of why the old system had some loopholes. And was it also true that Jimmy Pattison didn’t pay and PST on his 100’ yacht moorage in Coal Harbor? Would he get a refund on the HST he now would pay if the VanderZalm bill passes ? Where is the logic in that?
Ever look at the initiation for the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club ? It is like $ 20 grand. yes $ 20,000 !!!! Those people can’t afford to pay PST as was the case before? We are going to hand out a HST refunds to all of the new members there if we go back to the PST like the VanderZalm is suggesting? Does this really make sense?. Millions in tax refunds being given out to owners of luxury yachts and members of exclusive elitist clubs because they had to pay HST and that is unfair ? Why did they get a PST holiday in the first place ? What do you think Oberfeld ? Am I crazy ?
(Response: Not crazy at all. You raise some interesting points. I don’t know if Jimmy paid PST on his yacht …he doesn’t confide in me. But clealry the challenge of designing the tax system is to achieve fairness, NOT equality. The wealthier you are, you SHOULD pay more … through both income and consumer taxes. And profitable corporationsd in this rich province should not pay the lowest corproate taxes in the country … and be able to exploit workers with the lowest minimum wage in the land. And I have no problem with breaks being given for environmentally energy positive furnaces etc … because that provides the incentive to spend the extra thousands to get one installed. As for the HST it seems to me to be hitting too hard on too many realistically essential goods/services …while having NOTHING built into it to ensure that even a portion of the savings achieved (revenue neutral tax?) result in lower prices. All too one-sided. h.o)
30 Splendor Sine Occasu // Aug 27, 2010 at 4:41 pm
I think the HST would be more palatable had the BC Liberals been more up front with voters, and had we seen a drop in income tax and some items (i.e. heating fuel, natural gas) being exempt.
As it was trotted out, this was a surprise raid on consumers’ wallets, and a gift to BC Liberal donors.
(Response: I still believe they will try to buy voters with their own money… coming up with some sort of HST rebate cheques once the extra millions it is generating is revealed. h.o)
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