Re: “Why I’m voting to stop the HST,” June 24
MLA Michelle Mungall is voting to stop the HST for ideological reasons and partisanship. She is voting against the Liberal government and, it appears, big business and not voting on the merits of the HST. She makes no mention of the province having to pay back the $1 billion plus to the federal government if we return to the GST/PST. Nor does she mention the drop in the HST to 10 per cent if the HST is maintained and the increase in the corporate tax to offset that reduction.
The HST is a much more efficient method of collecting tax for both governments and companies. I know Ms. Mungall hates big business but the vast majority of Canadian employed people work for small and medium sized businesses — the very people most helped by this method of collecting taxes. If we keep the HST and someone gets their hair cut six times a year for $20 each time it will cost that person $6 more but if they buy a car for $20,000 they will save $400.
Ms. Mungall, hate the present government and big business but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
I voted NDP federally but I won’t be doing the same provincially. Ms. Mungall, try judging legislation on its merits (or lack thereof) and not for partisan reasons.
Barry Rice, Balfour