People want to have a government that listens to the electorate

Much of the debate in the Legislature this month has been about the imposition of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Bill 9, which makes way for the HST, is currently before the House, and the Opposition is doing everything it can to stop that legislation from becoming law.

For instance, as I write this report, we are debating an amendment to the Legislation that will require the BC Liberals to embark on a public consultation process before proceeding with the HST. That amendment was made by the Opposition because we believe that the public has a right to be consulted on this issue.

And through the use of the Initiative Act, it is clear that tens of thousands of British Columbians also feel that they have a right to be consulted. The petition is being circulated in communities across the province and the response has been unprecedented.

People want to have a government that listens and is responsive to the electorate.

Since the BC Liberals announced just days after the election that they were breaking their promise on the HST, they have spent 9 months trying to convince people that the HST is the most important thing the government can do for the economy. But people still don’t believe it.

The BC Liberal government thinks they know best. In fact, they are so sure of it, that they plan to spend $1 million of your money sending you a flyer explaining why you should support the HST.

People tell me that they are tired of this government treating them like they aren’t smart enough to make their own decisions. People tell me that they have heard the BC Liberal argument for the HST, but that they still don’t buy it.

For me, the BC Liberals’ breaking of their promise not to implement the HST is the central issue. British Columbians deserve a government that is honest with the electorate and respects the wishes of those who elected them.

Interest in HST shows a renewed interest in democracy

Right now, in British Columbia, we are seeing a renewed commitment to democracy as regular people stand up to fight against the HST.

Over the next three months, thousands of people in this constituency will use a democratic tool known as the Initiative Act to send a message to government about their feelings concerning the imposition of the HST.

People feel strongly about the HST. Voters are angry that the BC Liberals didn’t tell the truth about the HST. And they don’t like the fact that HST will shift $1.9 billion in taxes each year from corporations onto middle income earners.

I have been clear from the moment the BC Liberals first announced that they would be breaking their election promise not to impose the HST on British Columbians that I would do everything I could to stop the HST from becoming law.

The BC Liberals have brought forward the legislation that will make HST possible in British Columbia, and we will be debating that legislation throughout this next month. I, along with all the members of the Opposition, have committed to doing everything possible to defeat this legislation.

As we debate this bill, I will be telling the stories of how HST will affect people and businesses in my constituency. And I will be voting against the HST at each and every stage of the debate.

If you would like me to use your story in the House, please send me an email at norm.macdonald.mla@leg.bc.ca.

Through this important citizen-driven initiative and the commitment of the members of the Opposition, we will force the government to listen to the people of British Columbia.