The B.C. Liberals’ arrogance about their HST betrayal reached a new high this week, with Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton telling British Columbians that the HST will not impact the things “people should be purchasing.” (Maple Ridge News, Aug. 25, 2009)
But when the new tax is brought in next year, it will add seven per cent to the price of many goods and services, driving up the cost of everything from bicycles to restaurant meals.
Which leads to the question: is it true that the B.C. Liberals don’t think that “people should be purchasing” things like:
- Restaurant meals
- Bicycles
- New homes
- Hockey tickets
- Electricity
- Home telephone service
- Energy efficient appliances
- Massage therapy
- Vitamins
- Funerals
Yesterday’s Throne Speech tried to make excuses for the HST betrayal, but if the B.C. Liberals really believe that the new tax will be good for the economy they should have been upfront about that during the election campaign.
The New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect the environment, health care, education and other vital services.