HST meets Democracy
The Liberals have told us the implementation of the HST is a done deal. The opposition has told us that we have a voice and we can call for a repeal, but how does the fight against the HST really work?
By Melissa Fraser [Culture Editor]
On May 4, the Fight HST petition earned its 300,000 signature. That means more than 10 per cent of British Columbians have joined in the citizen’s initiave to repeal the HST. And, with two months left, the goal of collecting signatures from 10 per cent of voters in each B.C. riding doesn’t seem impossible.
The Fight HST petition is a campaign to put a stop to the HST in B.C. If petition canvassers can get the signatures of at least 10 per cent of voters in each B.C. riding, HST plans can be repealed.
The campaign is known as a citizen’s initiative. The ElectionsBC website says that it “allows registered voters to propose new laws or changes to existing laws.” In a democracy, it proves that the people do have a voice. And, with some polls putting the HST disapproval rate at 85 per cent, the people need a voice.
But, even if the Fight HST canvassers do collect the signatures of 10 per cent of all registered voters in each B.C. riding, it doesn’t mean the HST definitely faces a repeal. Instead, it could mean forcing the government to either vote to cancel the HST Agreement, thereby repealing the HST, or put the question to a province wide referendum.
If the repeal bill is called for a vote, there is a chance it won’t pass because MLAs may not be listening to their constituents. There is also a chance the repeal bill is never called for a vote as well.
Don’t worry, if that happens, Bill Tielman, a Fight HST organizer and Vancouver journalist says the campaign will move to a Liberal MLA recall. This means come November, if canvassers can get the signatures of 10 per cent of the voters in any riding with a Liberal MLA, the riding is forced is hold a by-election. If the voters are unhappy with the HST they have the choice to vote out the current MLA and vote in the opposition.
So, we can fight the HST and we can show the Liberals that we’ve put up with their dirty lies long enough. It just takes a quick signature to prove we live in a democracy.
Are you a registered voter? Signing the Fight HST petition is simple.
Go to FightHST.com
Find a canvasser in your riding (usually set up in a coffee shop nearby).
