BURNABY—The BC Liberals’ Harmonized Sales Tax is a $2 billion tax shift from corporations to individuals and must be stopped before it is fully implemented or British Columbia families and individuals will be stuck with the regressive tax for at least five years, CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill said today.
“The vast majority of CUPE BC members work in the public sector and depend on government revenues for their ability to deliver important services to the public,” said O’Neill. “So we are well aware of the importance of taxes, and we don’t enter into a campaign opposing a particular tax lightly.
“But the HST is a bad tax. It doesn’t increase revenues to government, so the BC Liberals won’t restore a single service they’ve cut, nor will it do a thing to erase the worst record in the country on child poverty. It’s time for a grown-up conversation about fair taxes in this province, but we need to stop the HST first.”
O’Neill encouraged all CUPE members in BC to join the initiative petition campaign led by former BC Premier Bill Vander Zalm.
“In the past, CUPE members throughout BC certainly had major concerns with Mr. Vander Zalm’s government, but this issue has proven too important to let political differences stop people from across the political spectrum and from all walks of life coming together to try to make a difference,” said O’Neill. “We can see just how important from the dozens of CUPE members who have already gotten involved with the campaign as volunteer canvassers.”
Anyone wishing to sign the petition must sign the form specific to the constituency in which they live, no later than July 5. For information on how to do so, check out www.fighthst.com for a full list of signing opportunities or to get involved directly with the campaign.
