BC to be an emerging global economy by 2018

HST report: giant leap forward for investment, jobs.

Ministry of Finance.

Sales tax harmonization and corporate tax cuts will increase capital investment by $14.4 billion and result in a net increase of 141,000 jobs by the end of the coming decade according to a report released today by economist and tax expert Jack Mintz, announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen. [Read more]

Lower corporate taxes, reduced revenues, resulted in ‘good’ budget

It would seem that at least two people are happy with Colin Hansen’s ‘stay the course’ budget – Mr. Hansen himself and John Pankratz, FCGA, the President of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (CGA-BC). Mr. Pankratz believes that this budget will help the province emerge from the global economic crisis. “While there are no new major initiatives, this is a budget that is based on prudent financial management and sound economic principles that will benefit small- and medium-sized business. And that’s good for British Columbia, which is good for you and me,” he says. [Read more]

200,000 sign petition against HST ‘broken promises’

Anger about the BC Budget has exploded from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. CFRA Western Canada Vice President, Mark von Schellwitz has taken aim at the BC government about broken promises to the industry. Nearly 200,000 signatures have been gathered on a petition opposing the new restaurant meals tax that will result from the implementation of the HST but the government has ignored the concerns of these business owners, their employees and their customers. [Read more]

‘Revenue neutral’ HST to fund medical services

A Budget that benefits nobody but the Liberals.

by Dean Skoreyko, BC Conservative Party.

The new BC Liberal budget is another step in the wrong direction for this government, in a series of wrong steps dating back to 2001. The new budget increases record spending, puts us on a path for record debt, and continues to confirm the myth that Gordon Campbell’s government runs a sound economy. [Read more]

Funding medical services with HST a ‘desperate move to overcome opposition to the HST’

BC Liberal budget all about service cuts and the HST.

British Columbians need a government that will focus on strategies to promote economic recovery, but instead the BC Liberal government has introduced a budget that cuts public services and brings in the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

“I believe that people in this area will be disappointed in this budget,” said Macdonald. “There is no indication that the BC Liberals have any plan to improve the lives of rural British Columbians. [Read more]

Ex-premier Bill Vander Zalm files an initiative to end HST

HST Initiative posted.

by David R Pacey.

I have included the website address of the Elections BC web site for the initiative started by former Premier Bill Vander Zalm to recall the HST as it currently stands.

This initiative might go active as of April 6/10 with results being due at Elections BC on or before July 5, 2010 to have the HST recalled as of July 1, 2010. [Read more]

BC taxes must be competitive with Alberta — McGrath

Liberal payoffs never end — HST ‘break’ latest in long line of rewards to friends and insiders.

In a stunning move laced with cynicism and cronyism, the BC Liberals have once again rewarded friends close to the government with their recent flip-flop on the new house construction HST rebate announced yesterday.

The Liberals, under pressure from the construction industry, changed the HST exemption from homes under $400,000 to homes under $520,000 that will now be HST exempt. [Read more]

HST transition for new housing

Province increases new housing rebate threshold.

Ministry of Finance.

The Province is proposing to increase the threshold for the B.C. HST new housing rebate from $400,000 to $525,000 to ensure that, on average, purchasers of new homes up to $525,000 pay no more tax due to harmonization, Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced today.

“We heard the concerns from consumers and industry about how the HST might affect home buyers, and this increase will move the threshold to above the average new home price in the province. At $26,250, this provides the highest maximum provincial rebate in Canada,” said Hansen. “A similar rebate will also support the construction or substantial renovation of affordable rental housing.” [Read more]

HST — harmonized is globalized

by Hank Munro.

Today I re-read the CVNews October 16, 2009 announcement from BC’s Finance Minister, Colin Hansen, in which he was laying out “transition rules” which are meant to give clarity to businesses and consumers about the implementation of the HST (“Harmonized” Sales Tax) about to take effect on July 1, 2010. These ‘rules’ are to “ensure that taxpayers are properly prepared in the lead-up to harmonization.”

Then I read the August 27, 2009 article of one Mr. Carl Beck, CMA. Following that, I spent a considerable amount of time reading the BC government’s information for taxpayers about just how great this “Harmonized” Sales Tax will be for the economic welfare of British Columbia businesses and, as a result, the British Columbia consumer. I just couldn’t help writing to you. [Read more]

Taft: tax liquor for policing and social programs

At the Tuesday, October 27, 2009 meeting of the District of Invermere Council, Mayor Gerry Taft put forth a recommendation “that the District of Invermere encourage the provincial government to pass legislation to create a new 3% tax on liquor so that the current tax rate of 15% is maintained and that the revenues from the new tax go directly into police funding and social programs, not general revenue”. [Read more]