Business And Community Leaders Condemn B.C. Liberal Budget Cuts And HST At New Democrat Town Hall

VICTORIA – Leaders from the environmental community and the arts, cycling, tourism and home building sectors joined New Democrats last night to speak out against the impacts of the HST and budget cuts on the B.C. economy.Lana Popham

“Governments around the world are trying to stimulate their economies and get back on track,” said Saanich South MLA Lana Popham . “Meanwhile, in B.C., the Liberals are hammering businesses and organizations with funding cuts, and imposing the HST after promising they wouldn’t during the election.

“And now industry leaders are standing together and saying the current B.C. Liberal agenda is hurting the economy.”

Last night, Popham and Victoria-Swan Lake MLA Rob Fleming co-hosted a public forum in Victoria in advance of the looming B.C. Liberal budget, which will be tabled on March 2. They were joined by panelists Mary Desprez (Pro Arts Alliance), Susan Howatt (Sierra Club B.C.), Laurel Akam (Butchart Rob FlemingGardens), Gord English (Canadian Homebuilders Association) and Martin Clermont (Russ Hay's The Bicycle Shop).

“Last year the B.C. Liberals decimated Tourism BC, the province’s award-winning independent marketing board, and dramatically cut arts funding,” said Fleming. “Artists, organizations and tourism operators are going to be hit even harder this year when the B.C. Liberals heap the HST on to more expected cuts in this year’s budget.

Fleming said some businesses and organizations may never recover.

“With the HST, British Columbians will pay more for theatre tickets, new homes, admission fees, bicycles, energy-saving devices for the home and more,” said Fleming. “The B.C. Liberals talk big on the environment, but are hypocrites when they make it more expensive for British Columbians to make green choices.”

“Putting a new tax on bicycles and bike repairs makes no sense,” said Popham. “It sends the wrong message to British Columbians. Getting out of your car and commuting by bicycle should be made more affordable, not more expensive.”

"Our constituents spoke loud and clear about the upcoming B.C. Liberal budget and the anticipation of more broken election promises,” said Fleming. “On March 2, the B.C. Liberal government is expected to cut deeper into health care services and education, and threaten more privatization of services while doing nothing to create jobs or target the province’s embarrassing record on child poverty.

Carole James and the New Democrats will continue to hold the B.C. Liberals to account for their cuts to tourism and arts funding and will fight HST-enabling legislation when it’s brought forward this March.

A bike rally against the HST on bicycles, parts and service will take place at noon on March 3 at the legislature. For more information, visit www.squeakywheels.ca .