Bill Vander Zalm calls HST referendum results “historic”
Fight HST leader Bill Vander Zalm called the results of today’s referendum on the harmonized sales tax “historic” as he celebrated his group's successful battle against the policy.
“This is a historic day, not only in our province, but in the country,” Vander Zalm told reporters shortly after the referendum results were released today (August 26).
“It’s the first time in the British commonwealth that the people actually had a say in how it is they’re taxed.”
The former premier said the referendum results also “sent a message” to politicians that they must consult with the people on issues as big as the HST.
Vander Zalm then challenged B.C. Premier Christy Clark on developing the government’s next steps.
“If plan b goes the way of plan a, they’re in trouble again, so I would tell the premier and the government right now that if you have a plan b, involve the people in your plan b—they need to have a say,” he said.
“It’s they that pay not only the taxes, but your wages, your benefits and your pension.”
Fight HST organizer Chris Delaney also called the vote “history making”.
“The people of British Columbia stood the line against the biggest powers and won,” he said. “The little guy today won. This is one for the little guy.”
“We were told we’d lose the referendum with $10, 15, 20 million being spent against us,” he added.
“People didn’t listen to that. This is a victory for democracy because big money did not win the day in this referendum.”
Fight HST organizers say they plan to continue calling for an independent inquiry into the referendum process for future ballots.
The group launched an anti-HST petition in April 2010 calling for a referendum on the tax.
More than 1.6 million British Columbians cast ballots in the mail-in referendum.
Comments
33 Comments
Whoot
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:01pm
Van Zamm is still the fucking twat he was and always will be.
Devin
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:12pm
Dodge.....you've been replaced?
NoNeoConRightWingNuts
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:13pm
Yeah maybe but it's great to see Neo-Cons sticking it to each other :)
Shoe
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:26pm
Yeah, way to go, Bill. You led the charge to bring back a complex, distortionary, inefficient, arbitrary, hidden tax system. You should be proud.
NoNeoConRightWingNuts
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:49pm
@Shoe the HST is the Same + More Corporate Welfare
But if your such a supporter of the HST u can send in + pay your share of the HST going forward on Hair Cuts & Restaurants.
Send your Cash to the Ministry every two weeks :)
Shoe
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:56pm
@NoNeoConRightWingNuts
You're clearly not an economist, nor an expert in government finance, nor, it would seem, are you a business owner. If you were, you'd understand this is not a win for the province. But, like everyone, you're entitled to an opinion. I appreciate you probably feel like you just stuck it to the government. Were you better versed in economics, you'd understand you stuck it to yourself. Enjoy paying a higher, grossly inefficent tax. What a glorious victory.
NoLeftNutter
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:58pm
Keep this outcome in perspective - more than 80% of British Columbians did not vote in facour of cancelling the HST.
Marc
Aug 26, 2011 at 1:58pm
It's only historic in the sense that Vander Zalm was actually on the side that won this time.
Canucklechuck
Aug 26, 2011 at 2:01pm
When will Vander Zalm, Delaney and their drooling puppy Tieleman just get it over with and start their anti-tax, anti-environment libertarian party?
Shoe
Aug 26, 2011 at 2:09pm
And I have no idea if the comment system here will allow me to post a link to youtube, but for those that still scratch their heads at this, the following video is quite instructive. Better yet, the dude behind it is non-partisan and took an evenhanded approach. It's 15 minutes of your time, but worth every minute.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZXu3LXNwEg