To the Editor,
Re: HST forums planned ahead of referendum, May 28.
HST will increase to 20 per cent and be extended to products and services currently exempt. Who can say that will not happen soon?
When the B.C. government unilaterally went ahead and brokered the HST deal with the federal government, without input from voters, at that point they gave the federal government authority to not only “direct tax” the people of B.C. (something the feds are prohibited from doing), but they also handed over full control of B.C. taxes to the federal government.
The bottom line is that the federal government can now increase, alter and modify the HST in any way at its sole discretion and the B.C. government, along with the people of B.C., have no recourse.
Apart from the tax with its negative impact on families, seniors and small business, this transfer of ultimate power for direct taxing the people of B.C. is the most important issue about the HST.
The people of this province should be outraged that a provincial government would arbitrarily relinquish this power to the federal government without the express consent of the people.
The referendum on the HST is more important than the people’s HST initiative of 2010 and the recall attempts earlier this year. The far reaching consequences and burden of the HST will be passed along to our children and their children.
Voters, you showed your authority last year and Gordon Campbell paid the price for ignoring you. Now we are at a critical juncture. It is vital you vote yes to extinguish the HST in the June referendum.
Terry Hand
Regional Rep, FightHST
Nanaimo