The Clark Government is spending over six million dollars of our money to try and convince the 700,000 plus people who have already voted against the HST, that it is good for us. Their own panel of experts said the HST will cost families and individuals an extra 1.33 billion dollars a year which translates into 295 dollars for every person – adults and children – in the province, not once, but every year.
They outright lied when they brought in the HST July 1, 2010. The half page ad in the Trail Times and other papers in the province July 6, 2011 is another lie by implications.
It implies that if we vote to keep the HST the rate will then be 10 per cent. In 2012 (and I believe July 2012) it will be lowered to 11 per cent. 2013 it will still be 11 per cent. Not until 2014 will it finally be 10 per cent.
Meanwhile we have been and will continue to pay seven per cent, six per cent, six per cent and five per cent on at least 47 new services we weren’t paying anything to but the provincial tax on before.
Clark says she is all about family. Well the family is now paying seven per cent extra on bikes and trikes, school supplies, summer camp fees, memberships for gym and health clubs, ice rentals and student year books.
The big ticket items that will also affect most of us at some point include new homes, real estate fees and commissions, car and household repair services, household renovations and painting, non prescription medications, vitamins and dietary supplements, funeral services, work related safety equipment like steel toed boots, safety helmets, life jackets, first aid kits, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Throw in your entertainment costs – basic TV and residential phone service, parking, movie and theatre tickets, restaurant meals, magazines and newspapers and airline fares.
Clark now talks about exempting restaurant meals and bicycles.
Earlier on she said that these exemptions were impossible under the agreement with the Federal government. A lie then or now? Also, there is some doubt that the 1.6 billion dollars from Ottawa will have to be repaid.
Even if it does it is our money. Whether it stays in the federal pocket or the provincial pocket it is still our tax dollar. It isn’t being flushed down the toilet like the cost of this referendum.
But remember this – this is good for us!
Joyce Cook
Trail