James Refuses to Take Position on HST

NDP leader Carole James is again showing a total lack of leadership by refusing to take a position on whether or not her party would cancel the HST and destroy the jobs and investment it will create.

March 31, 2010

VICTORIA – NDP leader Carole James is again showing a total lack of leadership by refusing to take a position on whether or not her party would cancel the HST and destroy the jobs and investment it will create.

“Carole James is leading a campaign of misinformation against the HST but under pressure from reporters has consistently refused to take a clear position on whether she would cancel the HST if elected,” says Finance Minister Colin Hansen. “The HST is expected to attract $11 billion in new investment and create more than 110,000 new jobs. On a policy fundamental to the economic future of our province, British Columbians deserve to know where Carole James stands. It’s time for Carole James to show some leadership and take a clear position on the HST: will her party keep the HST or scrap it if elected?”
 
Hansen was responding to James comments where, when repeatedly pressed by reporters, she said her party would “look at everything from renegotiating to scrapping it, to lowering the tax.” However, she steadfastly refused to take a definitive stand on whether her party would eliminate the HST.

The NDP have a long record of failing to support measures that create jobs and continue to promote job killing policies:

• The NDP have opposed and voted against more than 120 tax cuts.
• The NDP have opposed and voted against every income tax reduction.
• The NDP oppose clean power projects - even wind power.
• The NDP continue to advocate increasing taxes.
• Carole James has specifically called for a $150 million tax increase on major employers.
• The NDP voted against the carbon tax, which made British Columbia a leader in the fight against climate change.

"It’s clear the NDP’s economic schemes are job killers and it is reckless for Carole James to oppose measures that mean more jobs in our province,” says Hansen. “The HST will make British Columbia’s economy stronger, attract investment and create jobs. We’re for those jobs, we’re for that investment and it’s time for Carole James to take a clear stand – she’s either for the HST and for the jobs it will create or she’s against it and her party would eliminate the HST and eliminate those jobs.”