Restricted by Elections BC from advertising in support of the HST, Premier Gordon Campbell has taken to Facebook to defend his government's unpopular tax.

"I understand British Columbians from every region have expressed frustration and anger about how the HST was implemented," Campbell writes in one of the lengthier posts on his Facebook page. "I know you have many questions for our government and for me personally. Why did we say we were not considering an HST before the election? What made us change our position? Why are we bringing in the HST when much of the public opposes it? How will the HST impact my family? You deserve answers to all these questions."

Campbell goes on to explain that the government changed its mind after the election because they were searching for ways to "meet our budget targets without cutting core services" in the face of a deteriorating financial situation (a situation many were predicting well before the budget and election). Once the government learned, "late May 2009," that the province would have the power to set its own tax rate, to shape the tax regime "with flexibility that would allow us to exempt certain goods and services from being taxable," and that the federal government was offering $1.6 billion in "transition funding" to make the change, it decided to adopt the HST.

The premier's Facebook page communicates directly to 2,565 "fans." A "fan" is someone who clicked the "Like" button on Campbell's profile page. Whenever Campbell updates the page, that update is broadcast to those 2,565 people. If any Facebook user comments on or clicks the "Like" button after one of those updates, that action is then re-broadcast to all that Facebook user's friends.

Since the government did not register with Elections BC as opponents of the anti-HST initiative, their ability to advertise against it has been restricted until July 5. The communications planning officer at Elections BC, Don Main, said posting an opinion on a Facebook profile is no different than writing an editorial for a newspaper and is not considered advertising.

Besides links to YouTube videos and photo opportunities, Campbell's previous notes included a "Statement on Earth Day," "Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon," a "Statement on Vimy Ridge Day," and a "Statement on the Closing of the Paralympics."

Finance Minister Colin Hansen is also communicating about the HST to the 319 "fans" of his Facebook page. The minister has posted links to newspaper stories, government news releases, and to this interview conducted by Stacie Dley, who is listed on the provincial website as a government communications officer. The logo in the video says "BC Liberal Communications."