Chamber should take a closer look before condemning provincial budget
KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce decried the new BC budget of last week with an eye popping, over the top comment suggesting, “…businesses of all sizes — from dry cleaners to family logging companies — are facing the cumulative effect of crippling tax increases that will challenge their ability to invest and grow.”
Now I don’t personally know of a local dry cleaner or other small business who operates with a payroll in excess of the half a million dollars a year. However, that is the minimum annual payroll required before the dreaded employer 1.95% MSP health tax you are against, kicks in. And from there it is scaled until you reach $1.5 million in payroll costs.
That is not exactly going to challenge small businesses here, so despite the wringing of hands and predictions of calamitous consequences, many local small businesses will not have to pay anything.
However, most families will feel the positive impact of this budget as once MSP premiums are eliminated, they will save upwards of $1800 a year. Should they decide to spend that extra money here in town, businesses will benefit through increased sales while not having to pay the payroll-based Health Tax.