Provincial Green leader Jane Sterk is suggesting a 10-percent harmonized sales tax instead of the 12-percent HST that the B.C. Liberal government intends to bring in by July 2010.
A B.C. Green party media release issued today (August 21) didn’t explain how Sterk arrived at her 10-percent recommendation.
See also
Bill Vander Zalm: Why I am speaking out against Gordon Campbell's HST
Guy Dauncey: HST should have been an ecologically harmonized sales tax
Jane Sterk: HST won't help B.C. adapt to climate change
Gabriel Yiu: The B.C. Liberal government's HST can be stopped
But the same release noted: “Consumers will bear the brunt of the additional tax on previously exempt goods and services.”
Greens are supportive of a harmonized tax that combines the provincial sales tax and the federal goods-and-services tax.
The release reads in part:
Greens think the single tax can reduce the cost of collection and the incidence of double taxation. Currently, some things that people buy include a hidden double tax because companies purchase components on which they pay PST and they have to build that 7% into the price of the final good or service. Not only is that 7% passed on to consumers as part of the price but they are also charged PST on the total. Under tax harmonization, businesses can claim back that first round of PST and reduce costs to consumers.
Comment (7)
Comments
With all the stories about Elizabeth May trying to get Gary Lund reelected, soon it will be the Greenies for Harpo team (same folks) moving into action.
seth
On CBC radio the other day, Sterk was challenged by a caller who was angry about the Green Party supporting the imposition of provincial sales tax on bicycles. This was after the caller thanked her for reminding voters how the Green Party exists only to make sure right wing parties are kept in power. Sterk sounded a little shell shocked when she prattled on about making exemptions yet it seems clear that the Greens are backing Campbell's new tax grab in all but the total percentage. Such a liar.
How cosy. Next thing you know we'll be seeing her Maui mug shot after her arrest for being drunk behind the wheel of a pimped out Escalade. The Green Party is about as green as Tasers are safe.
SMBs
This is exactly what is happening with a 12% HST. The low income is taking the hit once again.
We need to bring back a decent corporate tax rate in this country. Once upon a time the Corp. tax rate made up a fair portion of the tax system. Corp tax rates have continually been cut to where we now are cutting services to health care and the poor.