PRESS RELEASE: VANDER ZALM ASKS BLOC TO ABSTAIN FROM HST VOTE
Nov 30, 2009 Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 30, 2009
VANDER ZALM ASKS BLOC TO ABSTAIN FROM HST VOTE
Calls on Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, to Allow “Free Vote” of BC MPs
Delta BC – Former BC Premier and Leader of the Fight HST group, Bill Vander Zalm, is calling on the Bloc Quebecois to withdraw support for the HST in BC, and to abstain from voting completely. He has made a similar request to Liberal Leader, Michael Ignatieff, asking him to allow only Liberal MPs in BC to vote on the controversial tax proposal that polls show is opposed by over 85% of British Columbians.
“We have sent formal requests to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Leader of the Bloc Quebecois, asking that they reconsider their positions on this hated sales tax for BC,” said Vander Zalm.
“We have asked that Prime Minister Harper and Opposition Leader Ignatieff allow only their BC MPs to vote on this issue, and that it be a free vote to reflect the wishes of their constituents.”
“We have asked Mr. Duceppe to have his MPs abstain from voting on this issue altogether, since implementation of the HST in BC is relevant only to British Columbians, and has no bearing on Quebec,” Vander Zalm explained.
Vander Zalm said that the only federal party that has so far come out in opposition to the HST is the NDP, led by Jack Layton. Vander Zalm pointed out that the recent by-election win in New Westminister/Coquitlam by the NDP was directly related to their strong opposition to the HST.
Vander Zalm says opposition to the HST in BC is growing, not diminishing as the BC Liberals had hoped. He says that it would be grossly unfair for MPs from other parts of Canada, like Quebec and Ontario, being used to support a tax in BC that is so strongly opposed by the vast majority here.
“Prime Minister Harper has said it is a provincial decision. We agree. Let the people of BC decide this issue for themselves with their own MPs in a free vote. We believe that is the only fair and democratic way to resolve this issue,” concluded Vander Zalm.
Vander Zalm has promised to post the names of every BC MP on his Fight HST group’s web site, with a record of how each Member voted on the HST. The names will also be given to local media for publication at election time to remind voters how their MP voted on the HST.
Tags: bc liberals, bc premier, bill vander zalm, british columbians, controversial tax, duceppe, formal requests, free vote, jack layton, leader of the bloc quebecois, leader of the opposition, liberal leader, liberal mps, michael ignatieff, ndp, new westminister, opposition leader, polls show, tax proposal
PRESS RELEASE: VANDER ZALM POLLS BC LIBERAL MLA’S ON HST SUPPORT
Nov 23, 2009 Press Release
Says MLA’s not listening to constituents on new tax
Delta BC – Fight HST leader and former BC Premier, Bill Vander Zalm, says his group has just completed a survey of all BC Liberal MLAs asking them to state their position on the HST. Vander Zalm says he had members of the Fight HST team ask each Liberal MLA if they would vote for or against implementation of the new tax.
“A lot of MLAs did not answer the questionnaire. However, we received a number of replies, all of them convoluted and totally avoiding answering the simple question of “Do you support implementation of the HST in BC, yes or no?” said Vander Zalm.
“The NDP has come out against the HST. So has the lone Independent MLA, Vicky Huntington. We feel that constituents should know how the rest of their MLAs plan to vote, so they can tell them whether they agree or disagree with them. Unfortunately, all of the Liberals chickened out and wouldn’t answer,” explained Vander Zalm.
“We were also hoping to create a hit list for the potential ‘Recall’ campaigns that we will launch immediately following the Citizen Initiative petition in the spring of 2010. Knowing in advance whether an MLA will vote according to their constituents wishes, or according to the dictates of the premier, will help everyone decide which MLAs should or should not be Recalled.”
Vander Zalm pointed out that a “Recall” cannot be launched until 18 months after an election. The recent provincial election was just held in May of 2009, meaning a Recall cannot be initiated until November 2010 at the earliest.
“November will be a perfect time to mobilize our forces for Recall campaigns in specifically targeted areas. Even some of the newspaper columnists are suggesting Recall is a good idea. We agree, and will watch carefully to see how each MLA votes in order for Fight HST to make the right choices regarding Recalls,” explained Vander Zalm.
Vander Zalm also asked every Liberal MLA if they would hold an “HST Town Hall” meeting to allow constituents to make their views known on the tax. He says most refused to answer that question as well.
“They probably saw what happened to the Democrats this past summer during the Town Halls on health care reform in the U.S., and decided a real democratic debate might be too much for many of them to handle,” concluded Vander Zalm.
Vander Zalm is launching a media tour to raise awareness for the HST that will include speeches, debates and interviews throughout the province, beginning as follows:
1. Thursday, November 18th, 8 AM, City TV – HST debate with Mr. Jonathan Winters, President of the BC Chamber of Commerce.
2. Friday, November 19th, Interview with CFUN Radio in the morning.
3. Wednesday, November 25, Debate with a pro HST Liberal, hosted by the Tsawwassen Business Association.
4. Thursday, November 26, 12:00 noon, Speech to the Fraser Valley Business Association in Surrey.
Tags: bc premier, bill vander zalm, campaigns, citizen initiative, constituents, delta, hit list, huntington, independent mla, initiative petition, liberal mlas, Liberals, newspaper columnists, perfect time, provincial election ndp, questionnaire, right choices, vicky
PRESS RELEASE: FEDS TRYING TO BRIBE BC ON HST SAYS FORMER PREMIER VANDER ZALM
Nov 16, 2009 Press Release
FORMER BC PREMIER VANDER ZALM SAYS FEDS TRYING TO BRIBE BC ON HST
Calls on Prime Minister to allow free vote on new tax.
Delta, BC – Former Premier of BC, Bill Vander Zalm, is taking the federal government to task for trying to bribe British Columbian’s to accept the HST.
“It is unbelievable that both the federal Conservatives and their Liberal counterparts are supporting this massive tax grab of BC dollars. We are in a recession, and like a vulture waiting to pounce, they swoop down and try to bribe us using our own money. Every dime they are giving us up front will be taken back with this new tax, and then some,” fumed the former premier.
Vander Zalm is calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to hold a free vote on the HST.
“The Prime Minister is trying to dodge the HST bullet by saying it is up to the provinces to decide whether they want it or not. If that’s true, then we say let your own MP’s have a free vote. Then the citizens of British Columbian can tell their representatives whether they want the HST, instead of Gordon Campbell and Stephen Harper deciding for everyone.”
In order for the HST to come into effect, it must pass a vote in both Ottawa and Victoria. Members of Parliament from all political stripes have publicly indicated their dislike for the Harmonized Sales Tax.
Vander Zalm, who is leading the fight in BC against the HST with his grass roots organization, Fight HST, is calling on supporters to pressure their local MP to vote against federal implementation of the HST.
“Many BC MPs have spoken against this unfair tax and the manner in which it has been implemented. I call on the Prime Minister to allow his caucus to vote their conscience and represent their constituent’s wishes regarding the HST,” stated Vander Zalm.
Vander Zalm says his group has grown to over 1,200 volunteers who have registered to canvass for signatures to defeat the hated sales tax in BC using the Citizen Initiative legislation. Vander Zalm’s petition drive will be launched in the New Year, with signature collection taking place in March, April and May of 2010.
Vander Zalm is advising concerned citizens to write or phone their Member of Parliament to express their opposition to what he refers to as a “cruel tax”. A template letter, as well as a list of every MP in BC is available at his web site, and includes addresses and telephone numbers.
“If every British Columbian that says they are against the HST wrote a letter to their MP, it would have an enormous impact on the outcome of the vote in Ottawa.”
“The federal government must go to the polls first on this issue. If they are seen to be ramming the HST down the throats of the people of BC, they will have to account for that at election time,” Vander Zalm concluded.
Tags: bill vander zalm, british columbian, caucus, citizen initiative, constituent, free vote, gordon campbell, grass roots organization, harmonized sales tax, HST, massive tax, members of parliament, petition drive, political stripes, prime minister stephen harper, recession, stephen harper, swoop, unfair tax, vulture
SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR MP REGARDING BC HST
Nov 16, 2009 Details
Below I have included the text of a letter to your MP. Simply copy and paste into your word processor and finish the details or make your own modifications, then print and mail it to your MP at the address provided.
[Date]
[Your MP's Name: If a Minister preceded with Hon.]
[If Minister insert title here]
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A OA6
RE: BC HST Enabling Legislation.
Dear [MP's title, if Minister, and Name},
I am writing you to oppose the implementation of a Harmonized Sales Tax in the province of British Columbia.
Poll’s in British Columbia show that over 85% of citizen here are opposed to this tax. This opposition represents an overwhelming majority in every riding. The results of the recent by-election in New Westminster-Coquitlam demonstrates that any BC politician that supports the HST will face the wrath of the voters at election time.
As a voter in [ constituency], I will be casting my ballot in the next federal election only for candidates that oppose the implementation of the HST in BC, regardless of political party. If you wish to have my support, and the support of thousands of other constituents in this riding, I strongly urge you to vote against the implementation of the HST.
I hope that you will heed the majority of your constituents wishes and that you will act in accordance with Canadian democratic principles and political accountability with regard to the HST.
I strongly oppose this tax on the basis that the BC Liberals have no mandate to create such a tax, it is being unfairly implemented in BC, and will place too great a burden on consumers struggling to cope with a recession.
Once again, I urge you to please vote according to the majority of your constituent’s wishes against the HST.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Tags: accountability, bc liberals, caucus, constituent, free vote, harmonized sales tax, house of commons, legislation canada, members of parliament, minister of canada, new westminster, ontario, ottawa, political, prime minister of canada, province of british columbia, recession, right honourable stephen harper
SAMPLE LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER REGARDING BC HST
Nov 15, 2009 Details
Below I have included the text of a letter to your Prime Minister. Simply copy and paste into your word processor and finish the details or make your own modifications, then print and mail it to your Prime Minister at the address provided.
[Date]
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A OA6
RE: BC HST Enabling Legislation.
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
I am writing you to oppose the implementation of a Harmonized Sales Tax in the province of British Columbia.
Poll’s in British Columbia show that over 85% of citizen here are opposed to this tax. The results of the recent by-election in New Westminster-Coquitlam demonstrates that any BC politician that supports the HST will face the wrath of the voters on this issue.
You have stated that it is up to the provinces whether they wish to accept the HST or not. For this reason, I request that you allow your caucus a free vote the HST enabling legislation in BC when it is introduced in Parliament.
On many occasions, you have spoken publicly in support of allowing Members of Parliament greater freedom in representing their constituent’s interests. I hope that you will act in accordance with your stated beliefs and convictions regarding greater democracy and political accountability with regard to the HST.
I strongly oppose this tax on the basis that the BC Liberals have no mandate to create such a tax, it is being unfairly implemented in BC, and will place too great a burden on consumers struggling to cope with a recession.
Once again, I urge you to please allow your MP’s in British Columbia to vote according to their constituent’s wishes on the HST.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Tags: accountability, bc liberals, caucus, constituent, free vote, harmonized sales tax, house of commons, legislation canada, members of parliament, minister of canada, new westminster, ontario, ottawa, political, prime minister of canada, province of british columbia, recession, right honourable stephen harper
HST INPUT TAX CREDIT SUSPENSIONS likely for small business
Nov 11, 2009 Guest Posts
The BC Liberal government has made a big deal about how this HST is going to be good for business and how BC businesses will be able to recover “INPUT TAX CREDITS” paid out on a number of different items.
What Minister Colin Hansen and Premier Gordon Campbell did not tell you was that if Hansen figures things are sticky enough, he can suspend part or ALL of those “INPUT TAX CREDITS”. And not just for a short time either. 5 YEARS of full suspension, plus 3 years more to phase them back in.
Wait just a minute guys? What the heck did you need that for? If Hansen was not contemplating using this provision, why is it there?
It is very clear that the Liberals know full well what is coming after the 2010 OWE-lympics are done. And they have decided that your slurpee is too much of a luxury for them to miss the tax on.
Every small BC business is going to take a beating on the HST. Either directly, or indirectly because even if you can believe that insane $1.9 BILLION projection of increased tax burden on BC consumers, that works out to some $460 increased tax by every man, woman and child in BC. And those numbers are the ones offered up by the same fiscal sharpies that ran the last election of an approximate $460 million deficit projection only to have it revealed later it was in the multiple BILLIONS!!
No small business can be expected to see $2500 per family removed in terms of buying power. Because while families will be paying more for goods because of this HST, incomes are NOT going up to keep pace. So small BC businesses are in grave danger of being wiped out over this.
Mike Summers
Northern organizer, Fight HST
Tags: bc business, bc businesses, bc consumers, full suspension, grave danger, hansen, HST, incomes, input tax, last election, liberal government, man, mike summers, Owe-lympics, premier gordon campbell, sharpies, slurpee, Tax Burden, woman and child
