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
