By Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett

British Columbians face a heavy tax burden in 2019

Dec 19, 2018 | 12:55 PM

WITH CHRISTMAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, I want to wish all readers a very Merry Christmas. I hope everyone gets to enjoy some fun festivities and quality time with their loved ones this holiday season.

I also wish you good health and happiness in the new year, which is fast approaching. If you’re working towards a new goal or resolution in 2019, I commend you and wish you good luck.

Sadly, all the NDP government seems to be working towards in 2019 is taxing British Columbians to the hilt. We have seen this administration introduce or increase 19 taxes since taking office. While our Official Opposition team has been urging the government to consider the damaging impacts of these taxes and change course, the NDP shows no sign of letting up on you or your pocketbook.

Perhaps the most unsettling of these taxes is the new Employer Health Tax (EHT), which is essentially an MSP-replacement tax. Because this new tax is being brought in before the MSP is actually eliminated, the government will be ‘double dipping’ and collecting both taxes from a number of B.C. employers in 2019. It’s unfair, and will only hurt these business owners who now have to grapple with how to cover this massive expense. They could be forced to hike the prices you pay for their goods and services — or worse, they may have to lay off staff or restrict hiring which hurts our local families and economies.

The NDP’s heavy-handed Speculation Tax, which targets more British Columbians than actual speculators, will also cause a lot of damage. It’s not doing anything to improve affordability. If anything, it’s putting people out of work. We have seen many B.C. housing projects delayed or cancelled due to this reckless tax. We have also seen this government flat-out ignore the pleas of a number of mayors from affected communities who have asked for a way to opt out.

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Meanwhile, our rural and resource-based communities are being hurt by the NDP’s increased carbon tax and removal of its revenue neutrality. While the carbon tax imposed on industry used to be balanced with corresponding tax cuts made elsewhere, the removal of revenue neutrality means that balance no longer exists. So now it’s just another huge tax hike for industries that contribute so much to our provincial economy. These business owners may also have tough decisions ahead to keep their businesses afloat. And just like the Employer Health tax, those costs will be passed onto consumers – from the price you pay at the gas pump, to the cost of the groceries and other goods that get to stores by truck.

These are just some of the numerous new or increased taxes the government is piling onto British Columbians. This heavy tax burden certainly flies in the face of the affordability promises the NDP made in the election campaign. In addition to all these damaging taxes, the NDP’s promised relief in the form of a renters’ rebate and hydro rate freeze never materialized.

The combination of all these factors means 2019 is shaping up to be a challenging year for B.C.’s residents, businesses and economy.