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

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