Dear Editor:
On Gordon Campbell’s first day as premier in 2001 he announced a $2 billion cut in taxes. In the anti-tax climate of the past decade or so that seemed to jive with the general mood. However, perhaps, just perhaps, it is time to consider increasing taxes.
Not taking inflation into account the Liberals’ tax cut has taken more than $26 billion out of provincial services.
While low taxes may seem appealing, recently we have witnessed real examples of some impacts of those tax cuts.
The Ministry of Environment’s budget has been cut by 25 per cent. Mine inspections have decreased to such an extent that disasters like that at the Mount Polley mine have occurred. Fraser Health was recently criticized for referring stroke victims away from overcrowded hospitals. Then there is the ongoing dispute between the government and the province’s public school teachers. It can hardly be argued that the $26 billion in tax cuts over the last 13 years have not had serious and negative impacts.
Given that Christy Clark was elected, in part, on a no-tax agenda one cannot expect the B.C. Liberals to propose a tax increase (despite the fact that they have regularly increased hidden taxes like hydro and medical services plan rates).
In light of the disaster at Mount Polley, the dire situation in our hospitals, and the ongoing government teachers dispute maybe, just maybe it is time to challenge the anti-tax mantra, so that the quality of life in our communities can be improved.
Following the Dix debacle in the last election, the NDP seems afraid of its shadow, so we have not seen any leadership from that side.
Perhaps two MLAs, the Green Party’s Andrew Weaver, and Independent Vicki Huntington, can play a positive and relevant role by introducing into the political dialogue some honest leadership and propose that taxes be raised to even half of the cut from way back in 2001, so our province and the quality of life that goes with its public services can be built rather than cut, cut, cut.
Kim Manning, by email
