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HST bad for small business

Dear Editor: While awaiting the arrival of our HST ballots, we have all been bombarded with a multi-million dollar advertising campaign from the provincial government (paid for with our tax dollars).

Dear Editor:

While awaiting the arrival of our HST ballots, we have all been bombarded with a multi-million dollar advertising campaign from the provincial government (paid for with our tax dollars).

Big businesses are also spending millions to try to persuade us to vote "No."

But the small business owners I've spoken with in New Westminster have a very different perspective.

I have discussed the HST with many of them in recent weeks and almost without exception, small businesses in our community are strongly opposed to the HST.

Their businesses are suffering because of it.

Families now pay seven per cent more for restaurant meals, school supplies, home renovations, health services like massage therapy and acupuncture, appliance repairs, haircuts, veterinary bills, birthday parties, dance classes, sports fees, bicycles and bike parts and repairs, vitamins - and the list goes on.

Therefore, they cut back on their spending. They buy less. They go out less. They postpone expenses whenever they can. And, as a result, small businesses are hurting.

I understand that taxes are essential to pay for the health care, education and public services that my family and I depend on.

The young families and seniors, the neighbours and friends and small business owners I've spoken with understand that, too.

But they feel, as I do, that the HST is not a fair tax. Rather, it shifts $1.9 billion from corporations in B.C. onto middle-and lowincome families in our community.

Now that my ballot has arrived, I'll be voting "Yes" to fair taxes and "Yes" to extinguish the HST.

Judy Darcy, New Westminster