I read MLA John Rustad's comments in our local newspaper with some amusement. Apparently he doesn't believe in letting propaganda get mired down with fact despite his opening remark that "the facts are being lost". Mr. Rustad calculates that the HST would "cost the average consumer $6.50 per week" ($338 per year), less partisan analysts put that number in the $500 range.
He goes on to state that logging truck drivers, landing workers and equipment operators will have the opportunity to save money. This may come as a bolt out of the blue, but most of these workers don't own what they operate, they work for wages. In actual fact, rather than benefit, they too will suffer the additional burden of the HST. Mr. Rustad states "People who purchased a pickup truck in the past had to pay a luxury tax." This statement shows that Mr. Rustad is either spectacularly uninformed or spinning like a dervish. Lets be charitable and say spectacularly uninformed. At inception (approx. 1997) the tax was on vehicles over $32,000, Campbell has since raised it to $55,000. A quote from The Vancouver Sun. "Thus, by raising the threshold to $55,000, the Liberals have, ahem, not only given the guy in the plaid work shirt a tax break, he's given a tax break to the Cadillac driver and the Jaguar driver and the SUV gang." When I replace my pick-up I'm sure I can find some beater for under $55,000. Maybe that new GMC 4X4 I saw advertised for about $32,000?
Another quote from Mr. Rustad. "What will change is the cost of optional activities. Movies, restaurant meals, hair cuts...." Now I know that the "average consumer" shouldn't be worrying their pretty little heads about such frivolities as having a meal out, wasting time on movies or squandering money on haircuts. Still I have to wonder if our neighbours and friends that work in movie theatres, restaurants, and barber shops would consider our patronage "optional". Its a simple equation, no customers = no jobs. For the "average consumer" the $500 that the Liberals are lifting will probably subtract a large number of "optional" restaurant meals, movies, and haircuts that taxpayers can afford.
With their amazing talents for spin, twist and back-flip (as their stated views on the HST pre- and post election can attest to) the provincial Liberals should have entered the Olympics rather than just attempted to bask in its reflected glory. If Mr. Rustad's constituents vote against the HST in a referendum I'd be interested to know if Mr. Rustad will stand with them or against them.
As the old phrase goes, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes". Since funerals are also now taxed the Liberals new HST is indeed the final nail in the coffin.
Richard Blake
Prince George
