As far as democratic processes are concerned, the upcoming vote on the HST in British Columbia is just about the worst Scott Fraser has ever seen.
The Alberni-Pacific Rim MLA said the government’s position on the HST has been problematic from the start, and that hasn’t changed with the current campaign.
“The HST has been one lie after another, from bringing it in and saying it’s going to create 113,000 new jobs, to saying there will be equal money on both sides for the debate,” Fraser said.
“Everything has been a lie right from the beginning. I’ve never heard of a democratic process like this before.”
Fraser said the government has provided $250,000 for the side calling for the repeal of the unpopular tax, but has spent an estimated $5 million. As well, he said, the door has been left wide open for corporations to chip in for the tax.
“The recipients of the $1.5 to $2 billion a year — the corporate sector that benefits — are allowed to spend any amount they want, with no accountability whatsoever,” Fraser said.
“If you were getting $880 million a year from the HST, how much would you spend to keep it? They can spend anything they want to convince the people of B.C. that handing them the money is a good idea.
“This is the most unfair, undemocratic process I have ever seen.”
