Larry Schwartzenberger
“I will be voting NO to Extinguishing The HST because the positives of the HST far outweigh the negatives. Let’s start with the negatives:
-the HST costs individuals and families slightly more because it taxes services where the PST did not.
And now for the positives:
-items like basics groceries, child care expenses, rent, and perscription drugs are exempt from the HST.
-businesses large and small receive a larger tax rebate on any purchased machinery, creating opportunities for more employment and investment.
-a huge benefit for the movie industry in BC as US Film Production Studios receive HST rebates for all the tax paid in BC.
-eliminating the infastructure needed to collect the PST.
-no need to repay the $1.4 Billion the Federal Government gave to BC to harmonize the two sales taxes.
-the increase in revenue from the HST will continue to support healthcare, education and social services in our province.
-no need to raise individual or corporate tax rates to compensation for the two points listed above.
-the HST will be lowered to 11% in July 2012 and to 10% in July 2014, lower than the combined GST & PST rate of 12%.
The HST will create private sector employment opportunites while maintaining stable funding for schools, hospitals and social assistance. I hope everyone will research the pros and cons of the HST with an open mind and then take the opportunity to cast your vote with the mail in ballot.”
Marji Basso
“Yes means No and No means Yes – If you’ve ever been a kid, you’ve most likely played that game. Well, Christy Clark has us, as adults, playing that game one more time. When you fill out your ballot question please make sure you understand the question. When you check YES on your ballot, you will be confirming that you want the government to extinguish the HST not that you agree with the HST– seem confusing? I would agree – I question the reasons why the Liberal Government would waste so much of taxpayers’ dollars to confuse the general public, and taint a democratic process to have a say in taxation.
I urge you to remember that the HST was introduced with the intention of transferring the tax burden away from big businesses and onto working middle class families. The promises that Christy Clark makes of receiving nominal cheques if that ever happens) is gone multiple times over once you pay extra in restaurants, home repairs, airline tickets, haircuts, realtor fees, and on and on and on. In addition, the Liberal government’s revised plan of rolling back 2 points on the combined tax will cost the province over $1 billon which most likely will be made up in cuts to hospital surgeries, schools, and other vital public services.
The HST is a bad idea and a bad tax. It was brought about after an election that promised not to consider it, and now the Liberal Government is promising you that they will roll back the tax after another election. Before you vote, please read the question carefully, talk to your neighbours, your family, and people in your community. Make an informed decision that will bring change for the better for our families, our small businesses, our seniors, and our Province.”
Photo of Larry – K of C (Oliver) website
Photo Marji – supplied