As NDP leader Carole James takes her job destruction tour through the Interior, Finance Minister Colin Hansen says it is time for her to stop misleading British Columbians.
March 28, 2010
VICTORIA - As NDP leader Carole James takes her job destruction tour through the Interior, Finance Minister Colin Hansen says it is time for her to stop misleading British Columbians.
"The federal government has passed the legislation to implement the Harmonized Sales Tax and it will be coming into effect on July 1," says Hansen. "Carole James knows that but refuses to be upfront with British Columbians. Every single leading economist has said the HST will create jobs and stimulate economic growth yet the NDP continue to oppose it. If Carole James and the NDP had their way, B.C.'s economy would not get that support and B.C. consumers would still be paying the highest taxes in Canada."
Hansen notes legislation will be introduced in the B.C. Legislature this week to repeal the Provincial Sales Tax, ensuring British Columbians will have the lowest HST in the country.
"I was in Vernon on Friday and heard directly from local employers that the HST will be a huge benefit to them and their employees," says Hansen. "Carole James needs to explain to workers why she wants to put their jobs in jeopardy."
The fact is the NDP has opposed every single measure aimed at creating 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 opposed the carbon tax, which made British Columbia a leader in the fight against climate change
"The NDP have been wrong on every economic policy, opposing every measure that has ensured British Columbia is better positioned than other jurisdictions in North America to rebound from the global recession," says Hansen. "Our record is one of growth and strong financial management. Noted economist Jack Mintz said the HST will make B.C. one of the lowest tax jurisdictions in the world and that will translates into over $11 billion in new investment and more than 100,000 new jobs over the next ten years. It's simply reckless and irresponsible for the NDP to continue to oppose a measure that will create thousands of jobs."
