Pat Bell (Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation) in his latest "Top Ten" explains why the HST, at the end of the day, is good for British Columbia:
1. It’s clear British Columbians were not happy with the way government introduced the HST and the impact that it had on families.
2. Over the last two months, our government entered into the largest listening and engagement exercise – with more than 275,000 people taking part in tele-town halls and responding to our HST survey.
3. Based on those conversations, government introduced changes to improve the HST that will ease the burden on families and maintain the competitive advantage and reduced red tape of having a single tax system.
4. We will reduce the rate of the HST from 12 to 10 per cent in two steps – dropping to 11% on July 1, 2012, and then 10% in July 2014.
5. To ensure BC families are paying less tax, not more, we will provide one-time additional relief in the form of transition cheques to help those most affected by the HST. Parents will be receiving $175 for each child and senior citizens with a family income of less than $40,000 will receive $175.
6. The corporate income tax rate on big businesses will temporarily increase from 10 to 12 per cent.
7. As a result of these changes, the average BC family will go from paying about $350 more tax each year to coming out ahead by about a $120 compared to the old PST and GST.
8. The announced today still allow us to meet our balanced budget plan.
9. I believe the HST is worth keeping because it cuts red tape, encourages investment, creates jobs, and supports critical industries like film, mining, manufacturing, and forestry.
10. But the final decision on the HST is in your hands in the upcoming referendum.
Also - the Hon. Barry Penner (Attorney-General) explains why the provincial government can not give pay increases to Judges at this time. Listen here
No comments:
Post a Comment