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
Our strategy to defeat the HST
Sep 2, 2009 Details
Following is an outline of Fight HST’s strategy to defeat the HST:
Phase 1 (Now to September 19):
- Create awareness for the Fight HST group via media interviews with Bill Vander Zalm.
- Initiate series of rallies around the province to coincide with the lead rally in Vancouver on September 19 at noon at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre next to Canada Place.
- Bring people of all political stripes and groups together at the rallies to develop a united team that will create a nucleus from which to build our team of volunteer canvassers needed to circulate the Citizen Initiative petition in each riding.
Phase 2 (September 19 to December 2009):
- Begin a ‘pre-initiative’ canvass in each riding to identify voters and volunteers for the actual petition drive, which will occur in March, April and May of 2010. This will allow us to ensure a full team of canvassers in each riding to ensure success. (Elections BC requires a 60 day waiting period after the initiative application is received, before signature collection is allowed. We will file in January 2010 in order to avoid having to collect signatures for the actual petition during Christmas and the Olympics, and in the dead of winter in Northern BC)
- Continue with rallies and media events to maintain and increase awareness for the Citizen’s Initiative.
- Choose 3 riding captains for each riding, and sign up a minimum of 50 canvassers per riding (equals approximately 100 signatures each on average).
Phase 3 (January 2010 – February 2010):
- Formally file for the Citizen Initiative. (60 day waiting period)
Phase 4 (March 2010 – July 2010):
- Begin drive to collect signatures of 10% of registered voters in each riding who wish to vote to repeal the HST. (We will attempt to exceed the minimum threshold by at least 5% in order to ensure a ‘buffer’ of signatures in the event of disqualifications).
- Complete drive within 90 days (March to May), and submit completed petitions to Elections BC.
- Elections BC will take 45 days to validate all signatures.
Phase 5 (August 2010 – September 2010):
- After the Citizen Initiative petition is successfully completed, Elections BC will submit it to the Legislature for approval as law. (In this case the government would be repealing the legislation to create the HST, thereby eliminating it in BC). The government may then take one of two actions:a) they can act immediately to repeal of the HST, or;
b) they can submit the Initiative petition question to province wide referendum in September of 2011. If they choose to go to referendum, it will require a simple majority to pass it. (ie: 50% +1). The government would then be required to enact the legislation requested in the Citizen’s Initiative petition, as passed in the referendum.
Phase 6 (October 2010 – December 2010):
- Begin mobilizing the Initiative canvassing teams to effect ‘Recalls’ of specifically targeted Liberal MLAs who voted to enact the HST against the wishes of their constituents, including the premier himself.
Tags: BC, canada place, canvassers, citizen initiative, FightHST.com, HST, initiative petition, Liberals, media interviews, northern bc, petition drive, political stripes, registered voters, signature collection, Tax Burden, united, vancouver trade and convention centre, waiting period
