Thanks Pat Pimm for making it clear that the average British Columbian will be paying more taxes as a result of the introduction of the new tax, the HST.

I am responding to Pat Pimm’s article about the Harmonized Sales Tax. He states, “lower-income British Columbians unquestionably come out ahead with the HST and the associated tax cuts and credits.” Lower income means less than $20,000. Since most of us earn more than that where does that leave us? Paying more tax.

Another beneficiary of the HST is big business as Pimm states: “A common complaint about the HST is that it “benefits big business” – and that the average taxpayer will have to pick up all the savings that big business receive. The more important part of that statement is that employees of that business are also true beneficiaries. When companies gain competitive advantage, they can grow and expand, hiring more people for long-term.” Therefore Pimm believes that the 1.9 billion tax break that big business will receive from the HST will be directed back in the economy as jobs. However, big business seeks bottom line profits not employment growth. At least he admits that the ordinary tax payer will have to pay the 1.9 billion for big business.

Furthermore, Pimm suggests that, “large corporations moved to the east in 2000 but are moving back because we have one of the most competitive tax structures in the world.” If this is true why do we need another tax exemption for big business? If big business is moving back to B.C. before the HST is implemented, it undermines the argument for the HST.

Gordon Campbell stated unequivocally that he would not introduce the HST in the last election. Now under the Freedom of Information Act, newspapers have found the provincial Liberal Party started negotiating the HST with the Federal government days after being elected. If the provincial government can’t tell the truth before an election how do we believe them now?

Remember the GST? Now it’s called the HST but on more items than ever. The Vancouver Province newspaper shows a partial list of what we’ll pay HST on now; restaurant meals, non-prescription medicine, hockey tickets, prepared foods, haircuts, admission fees, membership fees, movie tickets, theatre tickets, magazines, newspapers, taxi fares, airline tickets, golf fees, skiing fees, spa services, massage therapy, parking, coffee shops, fast food, dry cleaning, vitamins, dietary supplements, school supplies, photography, home maintenance, consulting services, storage lockers, boat moorage, camping fees, RV parks, animal feed, fishing charters, naturopathy, reflexology, veterinarians, museums, home renovations, painting, real-estate fees, bicycles, accounting, architects, concert tickets, funerals, Chinese medicine, marketing services, helmets, life jackets, first-aid kits, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, insulation and solar panels.

The GST was billed in the same fashion as this new HST. The Free Trade Deal was billed in the same fashion as this HST. The facts are our standard of living is lower than it was 25 years ago and the government want to do it to us again. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Well we the ordinary tax payer have been fooled long enough, shame on you Pat Pimm and shame on your Liberal Party.

Dan Willson

Peace River North taxpayer