Fight HST Citizens Initiative to repeal the HST – Message from Bill Vander Zalm
Feb 8, 2010 Letters
Dear Fight HST Supporter,
It’s been quite a week! A lot of positive press coverage around the province for our Citizens Initiative to repeal the HST. Just as exciting is we have received another 250 volunteer registrations since Thursday for canvassers! This is all good news, and it shows that British Columbians have not accepted the HST and are realizing there is a way to stop it.
But Friday on the Bill Good Show, Vaughn Palmer, Keith Baldry and Bill were trying to convince British Columbians that we don’t have a chance. They were trying to say we are wasting our time and that we’ll never succeed. They even seemed to enjoy taking personal shots at me for some reason, though they all claim they don’t agree with the HST. Makes you wonder sometimes if they are trying to have their cake and eat it too!
To win – we all need to do two things:
Tags: british columbians, canvasser, canvassers, citizens, conviction, expressing opinions, family friends, initiative petition, letters to the editor, Liberals, momentum, naysayers, negativity, neighbours, personal note, personal shots, registrations, signatures, volunteer, wasting our time
Response Letter from a BC Citizen to the Governor General of Canada re: #HST
Dec 5, 2009 Letters
4 December, 2009
Rt. Hon. Michaelle Jean
Governor-General of Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A1
Madam:
As a citizen of Canada, with all of the rights – and responsibilities – attached thereto, I am writing to express my consternation at the reply provided, on your behalf, to former premier of British Columbia, William Vander Zalm.
As I hope you have been made aware, although they have not been allowed the courtesy of a referendum, a resounding majority of British Columbians are opposed to imposition of a harmonized sales tax in the province - the HST.
This is not a simple opposition to any tax reaction; thousands of small businesses and poor to middle-class citizens will suffer under seven percent increase in costs of products and services not previously subjected to a provincial sales tax.
Accordingly, Mr. Vander Zalm wrote to you in the hope – and in our expectation – that you would take steps to determine whether the lock-step plans of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, are legal and appropriate under the Constitution of Canada.
As I read a copy of his letter to you, Mr. Vander Zalm was not asking that you take a position on the tax per se.
Rather, you were asked to determine whether the appropriate constitutional divisions of power are being respected. If they are not, then in my opinion, and in the opinion of many others the tax would be illegal.
With respect for the position you hold, nothing in your reply indicates any concern on your part as to the serious implications underlying the Vander Zalm question.
That leads me to ask with reluctance: If you do not reside at Rideau Hall for the purpose of ensuring that the Constitution of Canada is upheld, what other justification is there to continue with a figurehead tradition?
In closing, I ask that you reconsider your off-hand response to a most serious petition, and provide Mr. Vander Zalm with an in-depth opinion on the questions he asked on behalf of many, many thousands of British Columbians.
It would also be much appreciated if you would confirm that you, personally, have seen and read both Mr. Vander Zalm’s petition and this emailed letter.
Yours truly,
Elizabeth James
North Vancouver
Tags: british columbians, class citizens, consternation, constitution of canada, gordon campbell, governor general of canada, harmonized sales tax, HST, michaelle jean governor general, ottawa ontario, premier of british columbia, prime minister stephen harper, provincial sales tax, resounding majority, rideau hall, rights and responsibilities, stephen harper, sussex drive
OPEN LETTER TO HER EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MICHAELLE JEAN, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA
Dec 3, 2009 Letters
OPEN LETTER TO HER EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MICHAELLE JEAN, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA,
IN RIGHT OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II, SOVEREIGN OF CANADA
FROM: William Vander Zalm, former Premier of British Columbia
RE: Constitutionality of Federal Government proposal to create a harmonized sales tax in BC.
December 3, 2009
Your Excellency,
I write to you regarding an issue of great urgency and concern to myself and the millions of other British Columbians for whom I speak.
The issue is with respect to the British Columbia Government’s plan to accede its exclusive legal authority regarding direct taxation within the Province of British Columbia to the raising of revenue for provincial purposes, to the Federal Government.
Specifically, I refer to their plan to combine the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) with the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) to create a “harmonized sales tax” (HST) to be levied, set and collected by the Federal Government on behalf of British Columbia.
Section 91 and 92 of The Constitution Act of 1867 clearly enumerates the powers of both the federal and the provincial governments in Canada. Section 92, paragraph 2 states:
92. In each Province the Legislature may exclusively make Laws in relation to Matters coming within the Classes of Subjects next hereinafter enumerated; that is to say,
2. Direct Taxation within the Province in order to the raising of a Revenue for Provincial Purposes.
We understand this to mean that only the Province of BC is empowered by the Constitution of Canada to levy, set and collect direct sales taxes within the Province, exclusive of the Federal Government.
This exclusive right is held in trust by the Government of British Columbia on behalf of the people of British Columbia, and cannot be assigned, delegated or relinquished without a Constitutional amendment.
The HST, as proposed by the BC and Federal Governments, unilaterally transfers BC’s exclusive lawmaking authority for direct taxation within the Province of BC for provincial purposes, to the Federal Government via a Federal Act, subverting the Constitution and the authority of the BC Legislature.
The Government of BC has stated that the HST Agreement signed by the Finance Ministers of BC and Canada will not be ratified by the BC Legislature. Since the Finance Minister of BC does not have the authority to pass legislation in BC unilaterally, the Agreement can have no force and effect in BC law.
Only a Provincial Act can change, remove or transfer BC’s power governing the collection of direct taxation in BC for provincial purposes, and only with a Constitutional amendment.
We believe the HST Agreement and the resulting Federal Government legislation directly contravenes Section 92, paragraph 2 of the Constitution Act 1867, and is therefore unconstitutional and illegal.
We believe it is a clear violation of the Constitutional limits, obligations and duties of the Provincial Government toward its citizens, and must not be allowed to proceed.
We therefore ask that you withhold Royal Ascent for this Bill when it comes to your desk for signature.
We ask that you, on behalf of the citizens of BC and Canada, refer these very serious concerns to her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, for her legal and Constitutional determination, and for the protection of her subjects in BC from this apparent usurpation of their Constitutional rights.
We ask that you do all in your power to prevent the Governments of BC and Canada from proceeding to enact the HST until such time as these issues can be satisfactorily resolved, to ensure both Governments are forced to comply with their Constitutional obligations and limitations.
As Governor General, you have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of Canada on behalf of the citizens of Canada and British Columbia. The profound implications and urgent nature of this situation require that you act now to protect the people of BC from this egregious planned violation of their rights and entitlement according to our Constitution.
We thank you for considering our request and await your reply forthwith, as time is of the essence if this potential violation of the Constitution is to be prevented.
Sincerely,
William Vander Zalm
Former Premier of British Columbia
cc:
Honourable Stephen L. Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
Honourable James Flaherty, Finance Minister of Canada
Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia
Honourable Colin Hansen, Finance Minister of British Columbia
Honourable Carole James, Leader of the Official Opposition of BC
Honourable Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Opposition, Canada
Honourable Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP
Honourable Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Buckingham Palace
London, England SW1A 1AA
Tags: british columbia government, british columbia section, british columbians, canada section, constitution act, constitution of canada, federal governments, government of british columbia, government proposal, governor general of canada, harmonized sales tax, lawmaking authority, majesty queen elizabeth, premier of british columbia, province of bc, province of british columbia, provincial governments, provincial sales tax, queen elizabeth ii, right honourable
Official Letter to the Rt. Honourable Stephen Harper asking that he honour his word by allowing onlyBC MPs to vote on the #HST when it comes before parliament
Dec 2, 2009 Letters
Rt. Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street Ottawa K1A 0A2
Monday, November 30, 2009
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to you in my capacity as leader of a grassroots organization in British Columbia called “Fight HST” and the millions of taxpayers we represent who are opposed to implementation of the HST in BC.
As a former premier of BC, I know the difficulty of developing fair and effective tax reforms. While any tax reform is rarely popular, with the HST, it is fair to say it is reviled and opposed by an overwhelming majority here in BC.
There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the fact that it was introduced by the BC Government immediately following an election where they stated, in writing, that they would not implement such a tax. In addition, the shifting of the tax burden from corporations in BC (many of whom are foreign based) to individual consumers will place an undue hardship on the majority of BC families, seniors, and others least able to afford it.
Prime Minister, you have stated that adoption of the HST is a decision for the provinces only, and that the federal government would not force implementation on BC. You are known as a man of your word, and so I ask you – will you honour your word by allowing only your BC MPs to vote on the HST when it comes before parliament?
We are asking that Conservative MPs in BC be given a free vote, and be allowed to represent their constituent’s wishes on the HST. This would be a sign that your government is democratic and open to the will of the people. It would be viewed by most British Columbians as a show of strength by you and your government. It would also be commensurate with your own values as a politician dedicated to democratic reform throughout your entire career.
A free vote by your government on the HST would also show leadership to the other federal political parties, who would be compelled by such an action to do the same with their MPs.
A free vote would allow the governments of Canada and BC to proceed according to the democratic will of the people they serve. Anything else would be seen to be carried out against the will of the people, and would bear economic, cultural, democratic and political consequences for all involved.
We urgently request that you consider our proposal for a “free vote” on this most profound issue – the HST in British Columbia.
Respectfully,
Bill Vander Zalm
Former Premier of BC
Leader, Fight HST
Tags: bc government, british columbians, conservative mps, dear prime minister, democratic reform, federal political parties, free vote, grassroots organization, HST, overwhelming majority, premier of bc, prime minister of canada, show of strength, stephen harper, Tax Burden, tax reforms, undue hardship
Official Letter to the Honourable Gilles Duceppe to let BC remain “Masters in their own house” as he wants us to do for Quebec #HST
Dec 2, 2009 Letters
Honourable Gilles Duceppe
Leader, Bloc Quebecois
House of Commons Ottawa K1A 0A6
Monday, November 30, 2009
Dear Mr. Duceppe,
I am writing to you as leader of a grassroots organization in British Columbia called “Fight HST” and the millions of taxpayers we represent who are opposed to implementation of the HST in BC.
As a former premier of BC, I know the difficulty of developing fair and effective tax reforms. While any tax reform is rarely popular, with the HST, it is fair to say it is reviled and opposed by an overwhelming majority here in BC.
There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the fact that it was introduced by the BC Government immediately following an election where they stated, in writing, that they would not implement such a tax. In addition, the shifting of the tax burden from corporations in BC (many of whom are foreign based) to individual consumers will place an undue hardship on the majority of BC families, seniors, and others least able to afford it.
Mr. Duceppe, you have spent your life advocating for the sovereignty of your people in Quebec to be “masters in their own house” to quote a commonly used phrase in Quebec. Yet, you are now on record as saying that you and your party will act as the deciding vote to force a tax on to the people of British Columbia against their will. I ask you sir, can you imagine if the tables were reversed?
Can you imagine what would be the reaction in Quebec if a group of MPs from British Columbia were to support the imposition of a tax there that your people did not want? If that group were the deciding vote to force such a tax upon your province? Would it be fair to say, based upon your record, that you would oppose such a vote with all your force, influence and strength?
I am asking you to reconsider your decision to support this tax for BC. The truth is, it doesn’t matter to the interests of the Bloc Quebecois, nor even the people of Quebec whether BC adopts this tax or not. But it matters greatly to the people of BC. This is a decision for British Columbians, and British Columbians only.
We ask that you instruct your MP’s to respect the wishes of British Columbians, who are over 85% opposed to this tax, and either vote against it, or at the minimum, abstain from voting at all.
Mr. Duceppe, even though your objectives for Canada and Quebec may be different than many Canadians, you have always been up front and honest about them. You are respected in BC as a man of integrity and courage for your cause and your people. We sincerely hope you can see this issue from the perspective of others who are just as entitled to make decisions about their future, free from outside influences.
I thank you in advance for considering our request, and am available to speak with you in person at any time should you have questions or concerns regarding this request.
Respectfully,
Bill Vander Zalm
Former Premier of BC
Leader, Fight HST
Tags: bc government, bloc quebecois, British Columbia, gilles duceppe, grassroots organization, honourable, house of commons, HST, mps, overwhelming majority, premier of bc, seniors, sovereignty, Tax Burden, tax reform, tax reforms, taxpayers, undue hardship
Official letter to the Honourable Michael Ignatieff from Bill Vander Zalm requesting free vote by MP’s in BC
Dec 2, 2009 Letters
Honourable Michael Ignatieff
Leader of the Opposition
House of Commons Ottawa K1A 0A6
Monday, November 30, 2009
Dear Mr. Ignatieff,
I am writing to you as leader of a grassroots organization in British Columbia called “Fight HST” and the millions of taxpayers we represent who are opposed to implementation of the HST in BC.
As a former premier of BC, I know the difficulty of developing fair and effective tax reforms. While any tax reform is rarely popular, with the HST, it is fair to say it is reviled and opposed by an overwhelming majority here in BC.
There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the fact that it was introduced by the BC Government immediately following an election where they stated, in writing, that they would not implement such a tax. In addition, the shifting of the tax burden from corporations in BC (many of whom are foreign based) to individual consumers will place an undue hardship on the majority of BC families, seniors, and others least able to afford it.
Mr. Ignatieff, as Leader of the Opposition, you have a pivotal role to play in whether the interests of voters in BC will be heard and heeded. While the Bloc and the government of Prime Minister Harper have thus far stated their support for the implementation of the HST in BC, you have said your party will give careful and thoughtful debate to this issue, and then decide.
We are asking you to consider allowing your MPs in BC to have a free vote on implementation of the HST in our province. We respectfully request that you ask all other Liberal MP’s outside BC to abstain from voting on the measure to implement the HST here.
We believe that the decision on whether to have an HST or not is strictly a British Columbia matter, and that it would not be fair or democratic to use the votes of MPs from other parts of Canada not affected by such a monumental decision as this is to BC.
We have asked the Prime Minister to agree to the same conditions for his party.
A free vote of MPs only from BC would allow the governments of Canada and BC to proceed according to the democratic will of the people they serve here. Anything else would be seen to be carried out against the will of the people, and would bear economic, cultural, democratic and political consequences for all involved.
We urgently request that you consider our proposal for a “free vote” on this most profound issue – the HST in British Columbia.
I thank you in advance for considering our request Mr. Ignatieff. I am available to speak with you in person at any time should you have questions or concerns regarding this request.
Respectfully,
Bill Vander Zalm
Former Premier of BC
Leader, Fight HST
Tags: bc government, British Columbia, free vote, grassroots organization, house of commons, HST, leader of the opposition, liberal mp, michael ignatieff, monumental decision, overwhelming majority, pivotal role, premier of bc, Tax Burden, tax reform, tax reforms, thoughtful debate, undue hardship
