MLA DAVE HAYER SHOULD STAND UP FOR CONSTITUENTS CONCERNED ABOUT HST, SAYS NDP

Consumers and small businesses in Surrey are being asked to pay the price for the B.C. Liberal government’s betrayal SURREY – Liberal MLA Dave Hayer’s weak attempt to defend the Campbell government’s new Harmonized Sales Tax is a betrayal of his constituents who are calling on him to stand up for their concerns, the New Democrats said today.

“Many families and small businesses in Surrey will be hurt by the HST. Mr. Hayer should know that introducing a new tax when families are struggling to make ends meet, without any public consultation, is outrageous,” New Democrat finance critic Bruce Ralston said.

On a South Asian radio interview yesterday, Hayer, the MLA for Surrey-Tynehead, repeatedly dismissed the concerns of the many constituents who called in to express their strong opposition to the new sales tax.

“By attempting to defend this tax grab, Dave Hayer is failing to represent the concerns of his constituents,” said Ralston. “The number of angry and frustrated constituents who called out Hayer is representative of the strong opposition that is building up against the Campbell government. The public has had enough of the B.C. Liberal government’s broken promises. People want their MLAs to listen to their concerns and stand up for their rights.”

After telling British Columbians during the campaign that they would not bring in an HST, just two months later the B.C. Liberals announced a new sales tax. The HST will be added on to items that were previously PST exempt, resulting in consumers paying an additional seven per cent for many everyday products and services, such as haircuts, cab rides, restaurant meals, and even funeral services.

“This seven per cent tax increase, during a difficult economic time, will have a strong impact on consumer spending. Small businesses in particular will suffer harsh consequences as a result of the B.C. Liberals’ betrayal,” said Ralston. “If Mr. Hayer really cares about small businesses in Surrey, he will stop acting as an apologist for the premier and stand up against this tax.”

Ralston noted that the restaurant industry alone estimates that the HST will cost them $750 million a year in lost sales, or $50,000 per year for the average restaurant, which could lead to job losses and even drive restaurants out of business.

Carole James and the New Democrats have launched a petition to stop the HST at www.bcndpcaucus.ca/en/StoptheHST which currently has over 24,800 signatures.

Under the Campbell government, B.C. has had the worst rate of full-time job losses, the second-worst performing economy, and highest level of child poverty in the country.

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