The B.C. Green Party today endorsed the Harmonized Sales Tax, but complained about the way it's been introduced and called for reducing it to 10 percent.
In a news release, party leader Jane Sterk said:
"Greens actually support combining the GST and PST but we also believe fundamental decisions like this ought to be made in the Legislature not by the Premier. ...
"We believe reducing red tape is a way for government to stimulate the economy and simplifying taxation systems represents a step in the right direction. We are concerned about the reduced tax exemptions that will result from harmonization.
"The current PST exemptions have rewarded people for buying energy efficient products and that has helped the green industry sector grow. The Green Party would like to see the current Liberal government work with the federal government to provide HST exemptions for products and services related to reducing greenhouse gases."
In the release, Sterk also called for reducing the HST to 10 percent: "This would reduce red tape for business and keep the overall tax burden down."
Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.
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offended
2 years ago
Two words for the Green Party
Get. Lost.
Are they kidding? Who do they think runs the legislature? Gordon Campbell. Who do they think makes the decisions? Gordon Campbell.
Who disagrees with Gordon Campbell's decision? 85% or so.
The taxpayers do not want a combined tax. It is to much of a burden for the overburdened. Great if you got the cash. Awful if you dont.
The Greens need to get in touch with reality.
Rubber stamp
2 years ago
LOL...HA HA
The Greenies who campaigned for Gordon Campbell are trying play the middle..........
We want to stay on the good side of the feds,we don`t want to argue with Campbell and we want to sit beside the NDP... lol
Don`t you know nothing Jane Sterk "This is the best thing we can do for the BC economy"
And
"We need to protect health and education"
Jane Sterk,go back to serving spagetti and chianti!
Cheers
Wilfred Laurier
2 years ago
Grant.......
"Jane Sterk,go back to serving spagetti and chianti!"
Grant, if you want to engage in character assassination, why not learn how to spell? Gosh, how many times do you have to be banned?
Karen D.
2 years ago
Unfortunately...
Unfortunately, we are going to be stuck with the HST one way or another. Campbell will not back down and our hands are tied as far as removing him from office. Even if the Green's suggestion of introducing the HST at 10% were instituted it would be a matter of months before the percentage was increased back to 12%, or higher.
Rubber stamp
2 years ago
Wilfurd,you leave me spellbound
You have a problem with spagetti,spaghettini,rigatoni,lasagna.....
or are you just one bigga spicey MEATBALL
Cheers
mikev
2 years ago
sensible
Makes me feel good about voting Green. Instead of flying off the handle at anything that might garner votes no matter how wrong headed, like the NDP, the Greens take a step back and look at what is actually good for people.
PST currently has a ridiculous mish mash of exemptions. Yes it hurts to see them go, it hurts bad, and hurts the poorest the most. But if the HST leads to a few less bean counters leeching off society, and A LOT less rules upon rules for us plebes to keep in our heads (how old is the child these clothes are for?), then swing that axe I say.
I truly believe that taxes could be lowered across the board if they would just simplify things. Eliminate tax exemptions for both things like restaurant meals and for oil & gas exploration. I wouldn`t be surprised if we could afford to drop it at least a few points if not more, benefiting everyone, the poor the most.
If any of the current PST exemptions are such great ideas, then get lobbying the federal government. I don`t see anything in the federal NDP platform calling for a GST exemption for new homes, why so loud provincially about keeping the PST one? Why shouldn`t everyone in Canada get the same benefits from all these fabulous exemptions?
Wilfred Laurier
2 years ago
The Abovve Poster
Is 100% correct. There should be no exemptions for anything at all with the possible exception of residential rent. Japan, for example, has a 5% VAT that applies to everything with the only exception being residential rent. Most countries in the OECD have moved to this system long ago because it makes sense to do it this way. The really comical thing is that income taxes could have been hiked a few points and nobody would have noticed it.
Canadians are a funny lot. The demand, and receive a high level of public services. They do not, however, like to pay for them. Services are in fact a form of insurance. You may not need them today but in the future you might and you pay a premium for them whether you use them or not
Rubber stamp
2 years ago
Wilfurd
You should of been banned so many times for contributing zilch to the discussion....
And when are you going to learn how to spell
"The Abovve Poster"
He who laughs last laughs loudest
LOL
Dan the socialist
2 years ago
When the new Liberal leader
When the new Liberal leader is chosen for 2013 that person will lower it by a point before the next election to get more votes and the people will buy it as usual...
and in 3 years we will see the same, this, the HST will be a distant memory...just like how people were 'mad' about BC Rail and carbon tax and people were not going to vote Liberal but alas they were forgotten and never hurt Gordo and neither did the raid on the leg or his drunk driving charge...
Media bias by certain networks plays a part but people 'forget' and 3 years down the road it has no effect.
But until Ms. James does the right thing and steps down we will have Liberal governments, they will have a new leader for 2013, the NDP won't...
According to this poll http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/08/11/bc-angus-reid-poll-liberals-down.html the NDP stayed the same since election while Campbell went down 12 points, Carole James went from 36% personnel support to 27%, 51% want the NDP to change leader and like doesn't the NDP or Ms. James get the message? Why hasn't the NDP called for a leadership review or try and get her to leave? Carole James is no Jack Layton..
Come 2013 i won't vote Liberal, wont vote NDP with Ms. James, so who do Ivote for? Maybe I won't bother but if a third party that is center-ish starts up they may get my vote...
Hermans Hermit
2 years ago
Rubber stamp and Dan the socialist
You are both correct about the idiotic and inept Lieberanos and NDP.
BC'ers don't want to go from Gordo to Carole. They would rather PUKE first!!
That's why Vision BC looks like the way forward. Viva La BC Visionistas!!
Hermans Hermit
2 years ago
And We Need To Have the NDP SAY They Will Rescind the HST
Otherwise talk is cheap and BC WON'T get fooled again.
Just cut the feds their $1.6 billion cheque back and it's over under the opt out clause.
But will they? NOOOOOOO!!!!
BC'ers just want to PUKE at the Liberanos and the NDP and their pathetic chicanery!!
I'm SICK OF IT!
Viva la BC Visionistas!