[Newsbot]

Title: B.C. premier vows to fix HST
Category: Provincial Politics
Posted By: Hyack
Date: 2011-05-14 20:04:59
Canadian

[Gunnair]

As much as I dislike how the HST was brought in, I'm convinced it's better than the two seperate taxes. I'm torn on how to vote so we'll see if she can tip the vote in the government favour.

[Scape]

I agree. We don't need more layers of government we need less. HST has simplified tax code.

[saturn_656]

There is nothing wrong with simplifying the tax code, but when they (Ontario and BC) brought in the HST they did more than that.

They raised taxes at the same time.

Certain items became more highly taxed than they were pre-HST. For us in Ontario, it was things like Hydro, Gasoline, Natural Gas, Fuel Oil, etc. They became taxed at 13% rather than the 5% they were before.

That's my major problem with it.

[andyt]

saturn_656 saturn_656:

There is nothing wrong with simplifying the tax code, but when they (Ontario and BC) brought in the HST they did more than that.

They raised taxes at the same time.

Certain items became more highly taxed than they were pre-HST. For us in Ontario, it was things like Hydro, Gasoline, Natural Gas, Fuel Oil, etc. They became taxed at 13% rather than the 5% they were before.

That's my major problem with it.

The BC HST conversion transferred 2 billion a year in costs from business to consumers. It was supposed to lower prices and increase employment, but for some funny reason that hasn't happened yet. So far, business just seems to have pocketed the money.

It also represents 1.2 billion in extra revenue to the govt. It is not revenue neutral.

Campbell had promised to lower income taxes just before he got tossed out, so it never happened. Let's see what Christie Crunch comes up with.

[BRAH]

The HST on everyday items pretty much goes unnoticed unless you are looking for something to complain about.

[Regina]

Hi........I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.

[andyt]

BRAH BRAH:

The HST on everyday items pretty much goes unnoticed unless you are looking for something to complain about.

The average family will spend $350 more a year on HST vs previous. And many people don't believe that, because if you buy a house, you're going to be substantially over that average.

[BRAH]

andyt andyt:

BRAH BRAH:

The HST on everyday items pretty much goes unnoticed unless you are looking for something to complain about.

The average family will spend $350 more a year on HST vs previous. And many people don't believe that, because if you buy a house, you're going to be substantially over that average.

Big purchase items on a house, condo or car will be more noticeable.

[Dragon-Dancer]

Not to mention all the ongoing expenses that go with owning a home. Utilities etc are also taxed. I agree that simplifying tax is a good thing but as far as I understand it, many things that used to be tax exempt suddenly became taxed when the HST was introduced.