Harmonized Sales Tax

WHEREAS the Harmonized Sales Tax HST will impose an additional 7 tax on consumer goods that are currently PST-exempt, including school supplies, restaurant meals, hydro bills, safety equipment, and new homes; and will shift 1.9 billion in taxes annually to individual tax payers; AND WHEREAS the BC government has indicated that increased revenues generated by the Harmonized Sales Tax will not be used to fund healthcare, education, affordable housing, or job creation; and the BC government did not consult British Columbians or municipalities on the effects of the HST: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the provincial government reconsider its plan to implement a Harmonized Sales Tax HST; and that taxpayers and municipalities are consulted before a contract is signed.