Tomorrow we expect to know the results of the much-debated HST referendum.
If the yes side wins, we hope that the consequences won’t be as dire as believed, that we somehow won’t have to pay $1.6 billion back to the federal government for backing out of the deal, that the administrative costs of going back to old GST/PST system won’t be astronomical, that our taxes won’t go up, and that services such as health care won’t suffer either.
If the no side wins, we hope that the B.C. government (regardless of which party wins the next provincial election) reduces the HST to 10 per cent as this government has promised to do, that more jobs actually will be created as a result of the new tax system, and that B.C. will benefit by being more competitive with other provinces and the rest of the world.
Whatever tax system we end up with, we hope that our economy improves so we can all afford to feed our families and have roofs over our heads and that we can count on having one of the best education systems out there so our children can grow up to be successful adults.
Though much of B.C.’s population has been divided on the HST affair, we all want what is best for ourselves and for others.
Hopefully that sentiment won’t be lost in the outcome of the referendum and that we all will continue doing what we feel is best, rather than getting lost in selfishness, blame, and political battles — which can be more of a burden on society than either tax system.
