Dear Editor:
The end of the Canada Post strike means that ballots for the HST referendum will soon be arriving. It is now time for you and every other voter in British Columbia to decide whether to keep the HST or go back to the 12 per cent GST + PST.
I will be voting "no" in the referendum, because "no" means a stronger future for British Columbia and all who live here.
"No" means lower sales taxes, and that is good for B.C. families. This government engaged in the most extensive consultation with British Columbians in the history of the province. We heard your suggestions for improving the HST, and we listened. That is why the HST will be reduced in two stages - to 11 per cent on July 1, 2012, and to 10 per cent on July 1, 2014.
"No" means the average family in B.C. comes out ahead on routine expenditures. The savings to the average family, if we keep the HST, will be about $120 per year.
"No" means more support for low-income British Columbians, who receive up to $230 each under the HST.
"No" also means families will receive $175 in transition payments for each child under 18 and that seniors with incomes up to $40,000 will also receive $175 each - $350 for a senior couple whose family income is $40,000 or less. These payments disappear if we go back to the PST + GST.
"No" means keeping - and creating - jobs right here in British Columbia. We will lose jobs to Ontario and other jurisdictions if we return to the antiquated PST + GST that made it more time consuming and expensive to do business.
"No" means we won't blow a $3 billion hole in the province's finances. Going back to the PST + GST would be incredibly expensive. Here is why:
- We would pay a $1.6 billion penalty for breaking our contract with the federal government plus $85 million a year in interest to borrow the money to pay this penalty;
- We would pay $15 to $20 million to rebuild the PST tax office and $35 million a year to run it; and
- We would see roughly $1.2 billion in reduced revenues for the province in the coming years.
I strongly believe "no" is the way to go. But the choice is yours. And the choice is clear. Do you want a 12 per cent PST + GST, or a 10 per cent HST? For the reasons outlined above, I hope you will vote "no" in the HST referendum.
Harry Bloy, MLA, Burnaby-Lougheed
