BC ECONOMY LOSES JOBS, FALLS BEHIND NON-HST WESTERN PROVINCES STATSCAN SHOWS, SAYS FIGHT HST
|
Jul 13, 2011
Press Release
Posted by
Webmaster 1,397 views so far
Ex-Premier Vander Zalm says HST hurting despite government, business claims
VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s economy is hurting – losing jobs and falling behind other western provinces that do not have a Harmonized Sales Tax, says Fight HST.
Fight HST leader and former BC Premier Bill Vander Zalm said Wednesday the conclusions are obvious from Statistics Canada’s Labour Market Force Report – BC lost 9,400 jobs in June and almost all of them were full time.
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all have had more jobs and lower unemployment rates than BC since the introduction of the HST, says Vander Zalm.
“The B.C. Liberal government keeps saying the HST is the best thing for our economy but the statistics clearly show the opposite is true – our nearest competitors in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are all doing better and none of them have an HST,” Vander Zalm said.
“The government, big business and some economists keep saying the HST will create 24,400 jobs over 10 years and yet we lost a stunning 9,400 jobs in just one month – more than one-third of the total job growth they predict in a decade,” Vander Zalm said. “At this rate, the HST will devastate British Columbia’s economy and jobs in no time.”
Vander Zalm points out that BC’s June unemployment rate of 7.3% compares unfavourably to Alberta’s 5.6%, Saskatchewan’s 4.9% and Manitoba’s 5.5% rates.
“It seems that it doesn’t matter whether it’s right-wing governments in power in Alberta and Saskatchewan or a left-wing government in Manitoba or different economies – it’s the Harmonized Sales Tax that is the deciding factor in poor economic performance,” Vander Zalm said. “It’s also worth noting that all three western provincial governments have rejected the idea of introducing an HST – and wisely so, given BC’s substandard economic performance.”
Vander Zalm said British Columbians concerned about improving the economy and creating jobs should vote Yes to Extinguish the HST in the current binding provincial referendum, which ends August 5.
“The best way to get competitive again with other western provinces is to vote Yes to Extinguish the HST and get rid of this economically disastrous tax,” Vander Zalm said.
BC employment dropped from 2,278,100 in May 2011 to 2,267,800 in June 2011, according to Statistics Canada’s report. Full-time employment dropped from 1,763,000 to 1,751,200 while part-time employment increased slightly from 515,100 to 517,500.
Report is at:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/subjects-sujets/labour-travail/lfs-epa/t110708a4-eng.htm
Share on FacebookTags: bc premier, bill vander zalm, british columbians, conclusions, economists, government business, harmonized sales tax, labour market, liberal government, manitoba, poor economic performance, provincial governments, sales tax, saskatchewan, statistics canada, substandard economic performance, unemployment rate, unemployment rates, vancouver british columbia, western provinces
Loading ...
Since the HST was enforced on the citizens. Where are the jobs, Campbell and Hansen promised? As was stated, BC is still losing jobs. Businesses are still closing their doors. There will be more lay offs, in the mill industry too.
No big business savings by the HST, have trickled down to the people. The HST has driven prices up much higher.
My house insurance went up $140.00. I questioned it. I was told, the HST has added much higher costs to the material, needed to repair any damage. I got a second bill, for $25.00 more. My insurance went up $165.00 within one year.
The Liberals must have really depleted ICBC, the rates are going up. Then we got a hike, on our carbon tax. Food costs went up 15%. Gas prices are outrageous. And, the HST on top of all that?
Citizens are now having to use their credit cards to live on. Any emergency, such as a leaking roof, goes on their credit cards.
The HST was an obvious scam, to thieve from the people, to give to big business.
I don’t care where I go, grocery shopping, pharmacy, or doctors office. The HST is really hurting people, and everyone is angry about the HST. EVERYONE!!!
I wish to have the HST extinquished. My concern is about the signs ‘vote yes to extinquish the HST’ have largely gone missing in my area. At first, a sign was thrown under some trees, and I kept replacing same. Now, the sign is totally gone.
Who is the responsible for this deed, do you know? Is it a collective push to stop democracy? I trust people will see through this and vote NO HST. Good Luck to us…Ara
No argument with this article its right on the money. The HST was a scam from the start and the liberals will pay dearly for it. Clark had better call an election and face the music because what’s coming her way in inevitable.
The business community is behind this for a couple of reasons. The first is they are conservatives in liberal clothing and they wish to have control. The second is that some of the biggest business’s in this province are able to extract the resources,without having to charge HST, while at the same time receiving a credit for any tax they paid on their purchases to run their business.