Thousands rally against HST
Leading the charge against the plan to blend the provincial sales tax and the federal goods and services tax were former premier Bill Vander Zalm and current provincial NDP Leader Carole James.
At least 15 rallies took place across the province, the largest of which was outside the new convention centre in Vancouver, where an estimated 2,000 people gathered to voice their opposition.
Vander Zalm told the crowd there that they have the power to stop the tax by putting pressure on the B.C. Liberal government.
"The HST is a cruel tax," Vander Zalm said. "It takes from the people, the consumers, particularly … the seniors, the students, the people that can least afford to pay yet another tax and it's giving to the big corporations."
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"There's no question that the HST is the most effective form of … consumer tax that a country or a jurisdiction can implement," he said, adding the tax will create jobs.
"As a government, we feel very strongly this is absolutely the right thing to do for British Columbians and it will ensure that British Columbia is a stronger province."
Blair Qualey, the president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of B.C., said his members are mostly small-business owners hit hard by the recession, and the HST will help.
"If this thing is gonna really be helpful for the B.C. economy and help forestry companies and mining companies and the companies that employ the people that come into my dealership and buy vehicles, then absolutely, we're supportive of this," he said.
The Liberal government says the HST will save employers and corporations billions of dollars each year, and those savings will be passed on to consumers.
With files from The Canadian Press