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Wednesday, April 7, 2010
LETTERS
Future Shop – Correction Notice
W TAXATION
HST exclusive territory of federal gov’t To the editor: Having read and heard a great deal regarding the Liberals moving forward with the HST, I feel that the people of this province deserve a clearer explanation of the agreement that the federal and provincial governments have entered into. First of all, the term “harmonzied sales tax” is misleading. The two levels of government are not joining together or “harmonizing” the PST with the GST. To do so would be unconstitutional for the following reasons. The GST is an indirect tax, which falls within the “exclusive” jurisdiction of the federal government (Section 91 of the Constituion Act 1982). This means only the federal government, and no one else, including the provinces, can levy and collect an indirect tax within their respective (provincial) jurisdictions. Nor can they delegate a province to levy and collect an indirect tax on their behalf. The PST is a direct tax, which falls within the “exclusive” jurisdiction of the provinces (Section 92.2 of the Constitution Act 1982). This means the federal government cannot levy or collect a direct tax on behalf of any province, period. And the federal government
cannot be delegated to levy and collect a direct tax on behalf of any province either. In 1950, the Supreme Court of Canada, in what is known as the Lord Nelson case, made it very clear that neither level of government could delegate their exclusive taxing authority to the other, nor could they receive that delegation from the other. Therefore, under the HST agreement, in order for the (B.C.) provincial government and the federal government to abide by the Supreme Court ruling, the (B.C.) provincial government has agreed to stop charging the PST altogether, which will be, in essence, “zero”, as of July 1, 2010, and the GST (renamed the HST), will be 12 per cent. Although this agreement respects the Supreme Court decision, and the letter of the Constitution Act 1982, it certainly does not respect the spirit, purpose and intent of the law as was originally intended by the drafters of the British North America Act of 1867, now known as the Constitution Act of 1982. The other important point worth mentioning, which has not received any attention at all, is the fact that there is nothing in this agreement that prevents the provincial government from re-instating a provincial sales tax (PST)
in the future. So it is very possible that sometime down the road, we could be faced with a 12 per cent federal HST (it’s really the GST, only higher) plus a new provincial sales tax. With this new federal excise (indirect) tax, our provincial government, with its total lack of wisdom and foresight, has now placed its complete trust in the hands of federal government to transfer comparable revenues back to the province. I don’t know about you, but that kind of external control makes me feel uncomfortable. If we are to be stuck with the HST, we should tell the feds what Quebec told them. “If you want us to jump on the HST bandwagon, then WE will collect the (HST) and WE will make transfer payment to YOU,” or words to that effect. Makes perfect sense to me. I would urge everyone to make sure they make their voice heard by signing the official petition between April 6 and July 5, 2010. It’s time the government started listening to the people who elected them to their positions of trust, not the bureaucrats and big business behind the curtain. Grant Baudais, Kelowna
W TAXES
Anti-HST lobby wants lower gov’t spending but more services To the editor: Re: Consumption Taxes are All the Rage For Government (April 2 Capital News). Tom Fletcher’s column is one of the few grown-up comments I’ve seen about the B.C. HST. I would emphasize two substantive issues and one process issue. As he mentioned, the HST raises revenue from income tax evaders; the more they spend on highend services—mani-pedis, expensive hair treatments, heli-skiing and so on—the more tax is collected, especially compared to the extra $15 a year I’ll pay in HST on haircuts.
The second issue is that, unlike income tax, there is no refund for prior years’ consumption taxes so governments don’t have the double whammy in recessions of both lower current taxes but also refunds from capital loss and business tax loss carrybacks. The anti-HST crowd have much in common with the Tea Party rabble in the United States—the only group which answers YES to a poll which asks if they support a) lower taxes b) lower government spending and c) more government services! Bill Vander Zalm and the B.C. NDP are taking a juvenile, unprin-
cipled stand against an efficient revenue raiser needed to reduce deficits. The federal Conservatives poisoned the well—and created the federal budget deficit—by reducing the GST, a terrible policy move criticized by all tax analysts. The B.C. Liberals are in the unenviable position of implementing the HST, good policy but bad politics, necessary to prepare for higher health care spending in the next two decades. Don Miller, Nanaimo
Cut gov’t spending To the editor: Tom Fletcher says, “Scrap the HST? Sounds great, but then what?” The answer: Reduce government spending. There is much bureaucracy—ineffective, arrogant, intrusive, spendthrift. Slash it, including by eliminating laws and regulations and do-gooder functions. Yes, the big expenditure is health care, a fool’s game whose costs and failures were predicted. Keith Sketchley, Saanich
Autism tackled with early diagnosis, treatment I am the mother of a son with autism. Before my son’s diagnosis two years ago I did not know much about autism and thought that a child with autism spun in circles, banged his/her head and had continuous tantrums. I hope that this stereotype becomes a thing of the past as, although people with autism may or may not have some of those traits, it is not what defines them. Children with autism are capable of so much and need understanding
Samsung 12.4 Megapixel Digital Camera (PL100)10140804. Please note that the incorrect specification was advertised for this product found on page 17 of the March 26 flyer. This camera has standard 35mm lens, not 27mm wide-angle lens, as previously advertised. The incorrect WebID was also advertised. The correct WebID is 10140807. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.
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YOU’RE INVITED SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL IMPROVING THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
INFORMATION/MEMBERSHIP MEETING DATE: APRIL 7, 2010 TIME 7:00 P.M. PLACE: KELOWNA COMMUNITY RESOURCES #120-1735 DOLPHIN AVE, REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED RSVP: bebe25@telus.net 604.945.7071 For additional Soroptimist information please check www.soroptimist.org & www.wcsoroptimist.org
PERFECT 300 Congratulations to CHRIS BUNNAGE
W CHILD DEVELOPMENT
To the editor: I truly enjoyed reading Dr. Paul Latimer’s column on April 2 entitled Autism Disorders Cover Wide Spectrum Of Symptoms. It was fitting that his column’s subject was autism as April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day. In his column he states that autism affects one in 165 children. It should be noted that the rate has now been changed to one in 110 children and one in 70 boys, according to Autism Speaks.
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and acceptance. Unfortunately, if you don’t know someone with autism, you will very soon as the rates are increasing. I encourage any parent to go with your gut and if you feel your child is not developing typically to go to your family doctor to inquire about the signs and symptoms and perhaps a referral for an autism assessment. Early intervention is key. If you would like to know the warning signs or would like more information about autism spec-
Your best source of community news—the Capital News
trum disorders you can go to: www.autismspeaks. org .
FOR BOWLING A PERFECT 300 On behalf of our local sponsors who donated $250 each, Chris received a cheque for $3,000. Congratulations!
Lisa Watson, Kelowna
Express yourself We welcome letters that comment in a timely manner about stories and editorials published in the Capital News. Letters under 200 words will be given priority in considering them for publication. We reserve the right to edit for clarity, brevity, legality and taste. Letters sent directly to reporters may be treated as letters to the editor. Letters must bear the name, address and telephone number of the writer. Names will be withheld at the editor’s discretion, only under exceptional circumstances. E-mail letters to edit@kelownacapnews.com, fax to 763-8469 or mail to The Editor, Capital News, 2495 Enterprise Way, Kelowna, B.C., V1X 7K2.
Lorne Craig (President of the Monday Night Men’s League) presents a cheque for $3,000 to Chris Bunnage.
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