A vocal opponent to the harmonized sales tax believes $1.7 million for public engagement is a waste of cash.
The provincial government has committed money to both the yes and no sides leading up to the mail-in referendum, which starts in June.
“It’s ludicrous,” said Dan Thorburn, who led the anti-HST petition campaign in the North Okanagan.
“Why should we pay for either side? It doesn’t take a lot to get information out to people.”
The $1.7 million includes $500,000 for the yes and no sides to spend, $500,000 for dialogue sessions hosted by colleges and universities and $700,000 for a voter’s guide that contains information from both those in favour and against the levy.
Thorburn insists the money should have gone to health care or education.
“We should put the money towards things the province needs. It sounds like a propaganda campaign to me,” he said.
Thorburn says the Fight HST organization is preparing for the referendum but he isn’t sure if it will apply for government funding.
“It seems like quite a lot of money. I’m not sure who will get the money,” he said of the distribution process.
Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, agrees with supporting both the yes and no sides.
“Everyone will have a fair chance to say their piece,” he said.
“This is an opportunity for everyone to have equal time and equal access to money.”
Foster wouldn’t speculate on why the Liberal government didn’t enact such a public input process before the HST was initiated last year.
“I wish I had a good answer to that question,” he said.
“If it had been done, we probably wouldn’t be where we are right now. You learn from your mistakes and we will try to do it right.”
The government will also use telephone town hall sessions, the Internet and stakeholder meetings to determine if there can be possible changes to the HST.
“We have an opportunity to listen and understand what improvements may be made,” said Finance Minister Kevin Falcon during a conference call.
“We want to make sure we will have the best HST possible for British Columbians.”
