At a time of economic uncertainty, it’s not helpful to do something to add to that, says Parksville Chamber of Commerce executive director Kim Burden.
That’s exactly what voters did this week, he said, when they rejected the HST.
That said however, Burden stressed that the people have spoken and it’s time to accentuate the positive and move on.
“I respect the decision and hope business won’t suffer too dramatically,” he said. “It will probably help with real estate and, if I was in the restaurant sector, I would be investing heavily to take advantage of the flow-through tax credit while it’s still here.”
Burden said he was a supporter of the HST.
“In my opinion the HST is good tax policy. Business investment is going to suffer, but think the impact of removing it will be mixed, depending on the sector you’re in and depending on what we go back to. Obviously, there is going to be some revenue issues provincially and I’m pleased to hear the comments they are going to focus on job creation, which our community desperately needs.”
Burden said he was pleased to see how many people got over their initial anger to look at the facts.
“I was pleased to see the 82 per cent opposed moved to 54 per cent.”
Similarly, he said he was pleased with the high level of participation in the referendum, noting that the Oceanside area had one of the highest turnouts in the province.
“We like to see people exercise their franchise,” he said.
