The Campbell government continues to slide into disfavour amongst British Columbians since the highly contentious Harmonized Sales Tax’s launch July 1, a public opinion survey released July 13 finds.
They online survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion states that, out of a representative provincial sample of 801 adults, 76 per cent of those surveyed disagree with the implementation of the HST.
Echoing former premier Bill Vander Zalm’s Fight HST campaign and petition that garnered 700,000 signatures, three in four respondents say they would vote to abolish the HST if a referendum is held next year.
According to the survey, 70 percent of British Columbians will dine out less often because of the HST; 62 per cent will attend less sporting events or concerts; 60 per cent will go to the movies less often and 55 percent will buy fewer magazines and newspapers.
Thirty per cent of British Columbians state that the new harmonized tax will severely affect their household finances, and 43 per cent say they will be moderately affected by the tax.
The survey also found that public backlash over the HST’s implementation brings severe political ramifications for Premier Gordon Campbell. Seventy-two per cent of respondents say their opinion of Campbell worsened in the last three months. Only one percent say their opinion of the premier improved.
The BC Liberals dropped three points to 23 per cent support in the provincial political scene and 46 per cent of respondents say they will vote for NDP in the next provincial election. The Green Party holds 14 per cent support and the BC Conservative Party comes in with eight per cent.
8
Login or register to post comments
archer2006
1 year ago
Wrong numbers
The NDP is at 46% in the poll not 40%, and it's the highest number in about 22 years, but who's counting?
Just as important are the recall numbers. They resemble the anti HST numbers. I'd say a storm is brewing this fall.
alvin54
1 year ago
hst
The new government ads on radio say the HST provides an opportunity for businesses to pass on their savings. Good luck consumers...
The Blackbird
1 year ago
I work the cashier's till ...
... for a portion of my shift at work and I find some people are stunned at the increase in prices as they renew their previously PST-exempt one to twelve month fitness passes. Some find that with the new tax added, they can't take advantage of the discounts we offer for longer term passes.
They're hard working folks, many of them professionals in business, industry, education and health care, who take care of themselves in the safe, clean and friendly surroundings we offer, who feel betrayed.
I work in Premier Campbell's constituency. He's damn lucky his name isn't on the Anti-HST organizers' recall list. Or maybe he wishes he was. Can't be much more than suffering being stabbed with verbal daggers in the media. I imagine he spends considerable time daydreaming about Bilderberg stuff and how cool it's gonna be to hang with princes and magnates, presidents and secret service personnel everywhere. Talk about secure! Rad, eh?
Now take those red mittens off before we slap you silly.
oldstyle
1 year ago
What does it take to think for yourself?
Who can say that they had no idea Gordon Campbell was an outrageous liar?
If the public press says he's doing great the majority of voters must have swallowed that info. Spoon fed with eyes closed.
It is a known fact that the more something is repeated the more believable it becomes. It's all about numbers and you can be sure that the PP will wash your eyes and ears with new propaganda as the next election approaches - unless there is a dust-up this fall.
How can anyone not be disgusted with the sale of BC Rail? The lies Campbell told at election time are not the most disgusting part of this deal, and how people could believe a word he said about NO HST is indicative of being spoon fed by the press.
We all have a self responsibility to think for ourselves. Our current politicians do not take self responsibility for their actions - so we must take up the slack.
We are going to pay one way or the other for electing self serving scoundrels, but if we have learned our lessons and say to ourselves... "Yes, I am responsible", then we take back our power to make a change.
And we start by thinking for ourselves and being self responsible because it makes us bigger and stronger. No blaming. No excuses. No victim crap - just self responsibility and getting the job done.
Inquisitive
1 year ago
BC residents fuming over HST
And rightly so! Those 700,000 signatures could be the basis for a new party recruitment, which would have my support, provided the movement would recruit leaders (future MLA's) carrying NO BAGGAGE whatsoever but possessing integrity and the necessary education and skills in service to constituents.
jim1966
1 year ago
Fuming Over The HST
Of course we are and the polls reflect that. This is no surprise. It's also no surprise that the BC Liberals are ignoring the electorate and I think they look stunned and stupid at this revelation. 24 MLA's are on the recall list and only 6 are needed to eliminate the BC Liberals majority. It's simple recall in the fall and my guess is that by the time this issue is resolved Campbell will have be long gone by then anyways. Radio ads and print ads are a waste of time, especially when the MAJORITY of people hate the lie that brought about the HST in the first place. Heck, this gang are not even Liberals just a mixed bag of leftovers who formed a right of center party that ousted the previous government. Leftovers is what we are dealing with and they should be treated as though the have exceeded their best before date, throw them out cause they have gone bad and are no longer good for us.
Terrys_Hot
1 year ago
letters
I understand the liberal government is sending pro hst letters out too all of the BC voters if this is true then I won't even open it I will put on it return to sender use it for what it is intended for toilet paper. Gordon Campbell and Colin Hansen can stick it where the sun doesn't shine
brg61
1 year ago
Campbell must go.
Radio ads, propaganda sent to every home, Fraser Institute studies and big business leaders defending the tax will not change public opinion.
Excess arrogance perceived by voters in Campbell and Hansen's reaction to their anger is too entrenched to save the current government.
Shallow spin will be discarded and push people to force the premier to resign. Recall in six smaller districts won narrowly by BClibs is possible; two or three could end Campbell's power in the party.