Anit-HST Petition at 30,000

Thursday, August 13, 2009 04:49 PM

Burnaby, B.C. – NDP Leader Carole James says the New Democrats’ petition to stop the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) passed the 30,000 mark today, just two weeks into the campaign.

“Over 30,000 people have signed the NDP petition to stop the HST,” said James. “Many more have signed hard copies of the petition at rallies as people across the province join the New Democrats in fighting this tax grab by Gordon Campbell. These numbers are indicative of the level of anger being felt by British Columbians over the Premier’s HST betrayal”

James says she’s heard an overwhelming amount of concern about this new tax.

“British Columbians from all walks of life are expressing deep concern over this regressive tax and the impact it will have on average families and businesses. And they are questioning the Premier’s complete reversal on the HST just weeks after=he claimed he had no plans to implement it,” said James.

Premier Gordon Campbell and Finance Minister Colin Hanson have repeatedly asserted that they didn’t consider the Harmonized Sales tax (HST) before the Spring election. But media reports this week bring to light information that the Campbell government was briefed on the HST in a detailed report by the B.C. Progress Board report five months before the provincial election.

James added that many Liberal voters have told her they feel betrayed.

“Liberal supporters are telling me they now regret voting for Gordon Campbell and his MLAs and would have cast their ballots differently had they known their true intentions. People have had it with arrogant and dishonest government. They want to hold the BC Liberals to account for breaking their trust and they are ready to put up a good fight,” said James.

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Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 04:49 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: bohemian on August 13 2009 6:00 PM

I'd like to see someone (opinion250.com?) organize an HST debate so we can learn the pros and cons of this proposed tax.

Posted by: RUEZ on August 13 2009 6:08 PM

Easy. The pros: Apperantly it will streamline some business expenses in regards to processing the GST. The cons: it increases the PST on a number of things that were previously exempt. So basically it's shifting some expenses from business to the consumers. From a group that can afford it to another group that as of late is having trouble getting by. Let's not forget that before the recession hit, many places in BC were going through labour shortages. We didn't have an HST then, so why do we need one now in order to create jobs?

Posted by: Resident on August 13 2009 6:13 PM

It is becoming more and more abundantly clear what comes out of Gordon Campbell's mouth can not be believed. HST and the sale of BC rail. Just 2 prime examples.

Posted by: diplomat on August 13 2009 7:03 PM

I'll sign this NDP petition only after I get it in writing (signed, notarized in front of impartial witnesses) that if the NDP forms the next provincial government that such a NDP government's first action will be the immediate scrapping of the HST tax.

Failure to do so would result in an automatic one year term in jail for the premier and the whole cabinet or a resignation of the government and a new election.

"Let's not forget that before the recession hit, many places in BC were going through labour shortages. We didn't have an HST then, so why do we need one now in order to create jobs?"

Because of the latest unemployment statistics, that's why.

Posted by: RUEZ on August 13 2009 7:35 PM

"Because of the latest unemployment statistics, that's why."

We lost jobs because of the recession and the collapse of the U.S. housing market. Are you suggesting that the HST will solve both of those problems and jobs will come back to BC? If we have an HST will sawmills start back up and rehire thousands of employees? I'd like to see a detailed explanation of how an HST will create any jobs.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on August 13 2009 8:43 PM

Like I said before I voted for Campbell so I trust he and government will do right by us. If the NDP has a good idea then lets hear it. We must remember barley nobody voted so it's pretty hard to bitch at what ever they do right.I say keep it real folks. If you voted then yes you do have a say. If not then shut up.

Posted by: RUEZ on August 13 2009 8:59 PM

If I pay taxes,(which I do) then I have a say.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on August 13 2009 9:16 PM

So if nobody votes I guess we might as well have a dear leader like North Korea is that what you want. No rights. It's already happening here you know. I grew up in a political family. My Dad was involved with the CAW and Ontario Public Service Employees Union for years. My little brother is a political scientist. Myself I have been involved with a few campaigns of my own in the past. My great grand father was a Vimy Ridge survivor that was the first man in history to live with a tube down his throat to breath and have 8 kids. He was also given a kings pardon. Grandpa was merchant navy and grandma was British Royal Navy. These people fought for our right to vote and I am going to honor that. Like I have said before unless your family had fought in WW1 or 2 or both you should be lucky you are even here. But maybe that is the problem people forget what it took to have the right to vote.

Posted by: RUEZ on August 13 2009 9:18 PM

What the hell does your family history have to do with the HST?

Posted by: Junco on August 13 2009 9:18 PM

I agree Ruez, I too would like to see a detailed explanation of how the HST will create jobs.

Where is the man who promised us he wouldn't implement the HST anyway? If this tax is so good for the province than why is he ducking the good people of the province?

Tell us why you lied and then sell this to us if it is so good for us.

First a liar and now a coward.

Posted by: Palopu on August 13 2009 9:44 PM

Diplomat, Rather than meet all your conditions, I suspect that the Petitioners will carry on without you.

The question is whether or not you agree with the HST, and if you dont, then sign the bloody petition, rather that fight the next elections 3.5 years early. If we kill it now, then it wont be an issue in the next election.

It should be pretty bloody obvious to all, that we are being royally screwed by this tax, and that the Government and Business stand to make a bundle.

They get the elevator, we get the SHAFT.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on August 13 2009 9:45 PM

RUEZ I you read my post I clearly stated that the H.S.T and any other plan the government has set out was voted in and if you didn't vote then to me if you pay taxes or not. You don't deserve to complain what the government does and by giving you a family history tells you that many people died for the right to vote and you should honor it as well. But some parents have no respect for those who have fought for the right to vote and form government. I used to live with on of them/ Her kids still don't get it I am sure.

Posted by: Junco on August 13 2009 9:58 PM

Like I said in an earlier post God help us.
No wonder Gordon thinks he can impose this tax on the people. Sheesh.

Posted by: ammonra on August 13 2009 10:04 PM

"Failure to do so would result in an automatic one year term in jail for the premier and the whole cabinet or a resignation of the government and a new election."
Is it your opinion, then, that Gordon Campbell and the Cabinet should be jailed for a year for lying about the HST during the election?

Also, since a report has now surfaced that Campbell was briefed on the HST 5 months BEFORE the election, is it your opinion that he and Hansen ahould get another year in jail for lying about it after the election?

Or, do your conditions ONLY apply to the NDP?

Posted by: gus on August 13 2009 10:24 PM

RUEZ said: "So basically it's shifting some expenses from business to the consumers."

????????

Does anyone on here know of ANY expense that business has that is not passed on to either the consumer or the taxpayer indirectly through accessing government incentives?

Any business that does not pass on their costs to the consumer of their goods or service is not in business very long or is run as a philanthropic operation.

The only bad thing about this is that for a transition period the state of equilibrium is shifted and some people will benefit in the short term and others will lose in the short term.

To do this properly so that there is not this predominately consumer uprising is a bit of an art. So far, it is being carried out very poorly.

I am waiting for the budget to get some of the details of how the government proposes to provide some compensation to those who will likely be affected negatively in the short term. Ontario has identified how they will be doing that. We have yet to hear from our government.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on August 13 2009 10:28 PM

RUEZ I mean no disrespect by the way. I am sure you are a cool person. Have a good night and a good weekend. From Chris

Posted by: socredible on August 13 2009 10:29 PM

Diplomat, the NDP has already told us that once this HST is set up and operating, it would be extremely difficult to dismantle it. All the current operating personnel in the Consumer Taxation Branch will be gone, and the whole mechanisms now in place for collection and compliance with the current BC Sales Tax would have to be re-created, likely at considerable cost.

In addition, we would likely have to repay the $ 1.6 billion 'bribe' the Feds are offering BC to have a HST. So if we want this thing stopped, the time to do it is NOW. Before it becomes law. Not after there's a change of government four years from now, if that turns out to be the case.

Never mind the fact that the NDP is sponsering this Petition. The wording, this time, unlike their previous one on axing the Carbon Tax, is clear. If you sign it you are simply addressing ONE issue. Stopping the HST. It's the best chance we've got.

Personally, I think that Carol James and her Party should be commended for the stance they've taken on this. How often do we ever see a nominal "socialist" Party come out against ANY tax? For once they are in tune with what people really want ~ NO NEW TAXES ~ and especially not this HST! Sign the Petition, or be prepared to pay 7% more for a whole range of goods and services than you're paying now.

Posted by: gus on August 13 2009 10:36 PM

RUEZ wrote: "If I pay taxes,(which I do) then I have a say."

Actually paying taxes is not the prerequiste to having a say. A visitor from outside of BC pays taxes as well. They do not have a say. You have a say because you live here and you have a mouth. You have a vote because you are a Canadian Citizen and a resident of BC.

Posted by: gus on August 13 2009 10:37 PM

RUEZ wrote: "I'd like to see a detailed explanation of how an HST will create any jobs."

So would I.

Posted by: Pojeb_sa on August 13 2009 10:49 PM

chrislivingdowntown wrote, "If you voted then yes you do have a say. If not then shut up."

People have a say whether they voted or not. Your sick sense of justice might make you think that human rights end when they don't participate, but they do not.

Your reasoning is mad and tyranical. It's like saying any jews, homosexuals or gypsies who didn't vote in the election Hitler won had no right to complain about being sent on a train ride to Auschwitz.

Not voting is as valid a choice as any others. Some of us view a choice between the Liberal party and the NDP the same as choosing your rapist.

Posted by: MrPG on August 13 2009 11:02 PM

30000 eh? What is that, about 0.5% of the population of the province?

Anyway, it's fun watching people have a fit about this thing even though it's coming anyway.

Posted by: chrislivingdowntown on August 13 2009 11:03 PM

Yeah but you got to think say we didn't vote. So then what. I have been fighting to get people to vote for years. You know this H.S.T could be a good plan. Why don't we just wait and see. I could be wrong. I am not the one in Victoria they are. All I can do now is just trust what they say. I do understand what you are saying. Yes you are right. But how on Earth are we supposed to run a nation.

Posted by: diplomat on August 14 2009 7:27 AM

Ammonra: "Is it your opinion, then, that Gordon Campbell and the Cabinet should be jailed for a year for lying about the HST during the election?"

Actually, I would prefer that they resign and the whole election be judged null and void, under the existing B.C. election laws which were - as you undoubtedly know - brought in by the NDP.

I called for the election of the Glen Clarke government to be voided as the voters were blatantly lied to in respect to two fudge-it budgets.

Ammonra: "Also, since a report has now surfaced that Campbell was briefed on the HST 5 months BEFORE the election, is it your opinion that he and Hansen ahould get another year in jail for lying about it after the election?"

Well, one year should be enough, but if you think it is a good idea, if there is room at the jail, why not?

Ammonra: "Or, do your conditions ONLY apply to the NDP?"

Obviously not. I'm not a political fanatic, like far too many people are. I just demand good, responsible and honest government.

I haven't seen any of that for the last two decades or more in B.C.

There is a 18 months waiting period following an election in B.C. (November 2010) before a recall campaign can be legally started, so for the next year and a half they can anything they like.

Have a nice day!

Posted by: socredible on August 14 2009 8:05 AM

Mr. PG wrote:- "30000 eh? What is that, about 0.5% of the population of the province?

Anyway, it's fun watching people have a fit about this thing even though it's coming anyway."
------------------------------------------

In other words we live in a benevolent 'dictatorship', which allows us to hold the idea that letting people "beat their gums" against any policy it chooses to impose on us is 'democracy'? Quite harmless "fun", and just as useless, since the 'dictator' knows best what's good for us. And that's what we're going to have put upon us, like it or not.

The larger issue with this tax is whether our financial system is one which has been made to serve us, or whether we have been made to serve it. It seems to me, Mr. PG, that you believe the latter. That 'money' is our master, and not our 'servant'. I can only hope that you'll always be happy in your slavery to it.

Posted by: MrPG on August 14 2009 8:19 AM

No socredible, I believe you missed my point. My point is that people for the most part don't care. Half the people didn't vote in the provincial election, and a very tiny (vet vocal) percentage signed an online petition. So what?

It's going to take a much bigger statement to get the goverment to listen... that is if people care enough... which they don't.

Posted by: thereasonableman on August 14 2009 1:20 PM

If we put every politician in jail for a year for lying, we would have to implement a new tax to pay for the building of all the new jails.

Posted by: diplomat on August 14 2009 5:59 PM

It would be money well spent!

Posted by: Palopu on August 14 2009 7:41 PM

MrPG. Considering that it is only a little over a week since the deadbeat Premier announced the HST, 32000 signatures is not bad.

You can rest assured that there will be a hell of a lot more before this issue is over.

Who knows we might even be able to get (I like sitting on the fence) Diplomat to sign the petition.