Extinguished
It's hardly the kind of decisive victory the anti-HST movement would have expected a year ago, but 55% of British Columbian have voted to replace the HST with the GST and PST.
One immediate consequence of this is that Christy Clark and Jim Flaherty will need to come to some kind of deal over how much federal HST compensation the province keeps. Given their respective political situations, one imagines Flaherty holds the better bargaining position.
The more interesting fallout will be what impact this has on the next BC election. Even though the Liberals "lost" today, this takes a big issue off the table for the NDP.
Labels: BC politics, Christy Clark, HST
posted by calgarygrit at
2:46 p.m.
12 Comments:
I'm a BCer, but I can't justify not having to have to pay back the transition money to the federal government. Asking for forgiveness of this money is just not reasonable given that BC did not uphold its end of the deal.
By
Jim R, at 3:34 p.m.
Proving once again that BC loves a scoundrel, 55 per cent of them bought Vander Zalm's snake oil (again). Flabbergasting.
By
Anonymous, at 4:36 p.m.
Pick your poison, Anonymous. VZ's snake oil, or Campell's bait-and-switch.
What most people voted against was not the tax but the process. BC finally stood up and told a government that they were not going to accept their lies. If they had told the truth during the election, this never would have happened. They lied, and the majority of BC voters decided to spank them for it.
By
wondering, at 10:38 p.m.
"What most people voted against was not the tax but the process"
Then they shot themselves in the foot, metaphorically speaking, because the referendum was about the tax, not the process.
Why they voted themselves a multi-billion dollar hit to their pocketbook is beyond me, when they should instead have petitioned the government to restore certain exemptions.
By
Anonymous, at 9:07 a.m.
"they should instead have petitioned the government to restore certain exemptions"
We certaily tried but they were stone deaf, so for many people this was the only way we could send a clear message to the government.
By
jad, at 10:59 a.m.
I would argue the provincial government was not stone deaf. It agreed to lower the tax to 10% (from 12%) within 2 years (the quickest it was legally allowed to), and send out rebate money in the meantime.
I, too, thought the way the tax was brought in was absolutely shameful; and additionally the rate too high. However, Gordon Campbell fell on his sword over it, and the rate was going down; so that was good enough for me.
As far as I was concerned the referendum was a question on what was best for BC. And anybody who took the referendum as an opportunity to "send the Liberals a message", as opposed to an objective evaluation of a tax change, really needs to look up the definition of "election".
I can understand folks who voted against the HST because they truly believed the old PST+GST was better (for them and/or the province). But anyone who voted against it because of the way it was introduced, or because they just don't like the Liberals, quite simply abused their vote IMO.
By
Jim R, at 1:11 p.m.
BC pays it all back and the good news out of this fiasco is that BC, deep in contract negotiations with it truly whacko-retarded teachers union now have the upper hand - "We are really, realy broke" to hammer out tough deals with the morons in the BCTF.
Go Christie go . . nail the ridiculous BCTF union's ass to the nearest door and then use it for target practice.
By
Billy Boy, at 6:32 p.m.
I see Billy Boy is still trying to get revenge for his math mark or something.
Dear child: countries that have exceptional student performance tend to pay teachers very highly and respect their positions. Investment in education has been proven time and time again to pay off in increased earnings and thus increased tax revenues in the future. And it's not an easy job. Try it yourself one day. I bet you'd pee your pants and run away within a week.
By
sunsin, at 8:58 p.m.
Right on Billy boy, Jim R. and Jad.Totally agree and why would anyone listen to dictator loser such as Vander zam. goes to show you how the BC NDP people have been brain drained or should I call it brain washed over and over again. Ask your leader Sunin how their government will pay back the Feds and pay for another increase if they become the government. Likely hide the deficit they created like the last time around with sneaky audit practices.
If your a teacher which I have to assume you are, You would rather see a deficit rather then accept the HST. The only way a deficit can be erased is with a tax increase and even the elementary students would understand that. The PST is an old tax and outdated. I agree that the way the HST was introduced was not a good thing and should have been explained sooner but in my book, I would rather have the HST and rebates later then a straight Tax and no rebates ever.
Time to get with the times and think with your head instead of your political party who has in the past 2 terms they were in power bring BC to a near been province chasing businesses out of the province.try and remember that this is not Jack Layton we are talking about by a Dix who is in politics only for himself sand not for the people of BC.
By
marie, at 1:30 p.m.
Too bad BC doesn't have a real 3 party system with the two opposition parties opposed. Otherwise, Clark could call a snap election on the HST and try to get enough of the 45% behind her to get a majority by splitting the anti-vote like Mulroney did with free trade.
By
Anonymous, at 11:29 p.m.
Need money to pay the feds back? I propose seizing the assets of the BC Liberal Party(the old dead Socreds). Make their MLAs pay a fine...and a hefty enough fine to deter future crooks like them. Then, go to a list of party contributors and fine THEM too.
Billy Boy and the space cadets of conservative BC(notice how they're really prevalent in the bible belt)love to see unions get fined for not being obedient.
Under my proposal, one bad turn deserves another.
By
Pete Needham, at 9:21 a.m.
Wonderful perform. Along with incredible range of methods to be effective... Great!!
By
Diablo 3 Gold, at 3:52 a.m.
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