May 16, 2005
VICTORIA - Victoria - Beacon Hill BC Liberal incumbent Jeff Bray is calling on the NDP and Carole James to stop their campaign of misinformation and come clean on their inheritance tax idea.
"Carole James spent weeks campaigning in the last federal election for the NDP's inheritance tax," said Bray. "Now she says she's against it - it's just not credible.
"During this campaign at least one of her candidates in Victoria was caught saying an inheritance tax is not beyond consideration. We also know that a 'U.S.-style inheritance tax' remains part of the federal NDP's platform. So why should we believe Carole James' denials now?"
Bray was responding to Victoria - Hillside NDP Candidate Rob Fleming's challenge to show an instance where a BC NDP candidate spoke out in favour of an inheritance tax.
NDP Leader Carole James has said: "We're the only country in the western world that doesn't have an inheritance tax. I think the people of Canada will support that tax." (Source: Global TV, May 31, 2004)
NDP Oak Bay-Gordon Head candidate Charley Beresford admitted on CFAX radio's Newsline with Joe Easingwood on May 3, 2005: "It's [an inheritance tax] not beyond consideration."
And page 61 of the federal NDP platform (www.ndp.ca/ftp/platform/en/fairtaxes.php) calls for "implementing a U.S.-style inheritance tax."
"Rob Fleming asked me to show him one incident where a BC NDP candidate has spoken out in favour of the tax," said Bray. "I've now shown him two such incidents. The NDP needs to come clean and admit they would impose an inheritance tax on seniors and their families if they ever get a chance."
"I am going to fight against the NDP's plan every step of the way and the BC Liberals are opposed to the NDP's inheritance tax," said Bray. "Carole James and the NDP have publicly supported imposing an inheritance tax and now, on the eve of an election, they are claiming the opposite. Why should anyone ever believe that the NDP would not impose a new tax when they have done so every time they get the chance?"
