I recently sent a letter to all MLAs in B.C. in hopes that someone would finally go to the electorate and ask for input on the HST vs the GST/PST. I am not satisfied with responses received so far. Even our own MLA, Eric Foster, “passed the buck.” Our government is not looking well into the future and not working proactively on our taxation mechanism. We need to pay taxes because they go towards such services as health, education and affordable housing. We should use a less cumbersome system.
Our government needs to admit they did not act in our best interests by consulting with us but will do it now. Provide us with information on how VAT (Value Added Tax) taxation is done in Europe, use a public forum in all communities, and use e-mail, twitter and other media to get us all to comment on what we like/do not like about the European system, then adjust the HST to suit our own circumstances. We would save billions by not having to pay back the federal government and would achieve a more efficient, less costly system.
In Europe, the VAT was 17.5 % – it’s gone up to 20% as of January, 2011.
For items such as children’s car seats, home gas heating and electricity it’s 5%.
For most foods (I assume ‘junk’ foods are taxed) there’s no tax.
There’s also no tax on books, magazines, newspapers, children’s clothes, special circumstance items (eg equipment for the disabled).
Are citizens in B.C. interested? Send your MLA a letter or phone!
Julia Lissau
Vernon
