Norm Macdonald MLA Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

August 26, 2011

An engaged citizenry can make a big difference: Macdonald

GOLDEN – The story of BC’s Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is an excellent example of what happens when regular people decide to stand up and fight a government that has lost its way, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

The story begins with the BC Liberals’ pre-election promise not to implement the HST. Within weeks of winning the 2009 election, the BC Liberals broke that promise. A 7% tax was added to hundreds of items. A $2 billion tax burden was shifted away from corporations onto individuals.

The broken HST promise was a wake-up call to thousands and thousands of British Columbians,” said Macdonald. “People were fed up with being lied to and people across the province began to organize themselves to fight against the tax.”

Macdonald’s office was immediately inundated with phone calls, letters and emails from people who were angry about the HST.

In this area, it was absolutely clear that the majority of people strongly opposed the HST and very quickly an anti-HST volunteer organization formed in Columbia River – Revelstoke.

“I joined hundreds of local volunteers who gathered signatures on the HST petition. It was incredible to be part of such a diverse group of engaged citizens who were simply fed up with government’s lack of respect for democracy.”

The anti-HST petition was the first successful use of the Recall and Initiative Act to force a referendum on an issue.

“Without those committed volunteers, the successful HST petition would never have been filed, Premier Campbell would not have been forced to resign, and this referendum never would have happened. It’s a remarkable example of public engagement making a big difference.”

Macdonald says it is now time for Premier Clark to end the HST debacle and get down to the business of governing.

“Now it is time for Premier Clark to act on the will of the people, and provide a real plan that provides British Columbians with fair taxation and the quality public services that they deserve.”

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