The referendum results are in, and British Columbians have voted to axe the harmonized sales tax.
Elections B.C. announced the results this morning, Friday, Aug. 26, and 54.73 per cent voted to get rid of the tax, and 45.27 per cent voted to keep it.
The referendum was conducted by mail-in ballot. Elections B.C. sent registered voters a package in June with the following question: Are you in favour of extinguishing the HST (harmonized sales tax) and reinstating the PST (provincial sales tax) in conjunction with the GST (goods and service tax)? Yes or no?
Nearly 1.6 million people responded, about half of B.C.'s eligible voters.
The 12 per cent HST combines the seven per cent provincial sales tax and the five per cent federal goods and service tax. It came into effect July 1, 2010.
