Letters To The Editor

The Valley Voice News welcomes readers to voice their opinion on any issue and we reserve the right to edit letters for diction and grammar or content. The viewpoint is that of the writer and The Valley Voice may or may not agree with the author. Send comments or letters to the Valley Voice here.

Our Readers Write

Continued from the main page.

January 22^nd 2011

The support and caring you are showing to the community of people requiring life sustaining treatment of hemodialysis is appreciated and so touching, more than you can ever know. I hope together we can make a dialysis unit in Chilliwack a reality.

Best regards,
Elaina Wugalter, Chilliwack

January 11^th 2011

I just wanted to thank you for featuring us on your website. As a small business this type of publicity is exactly what we need to get word out about our classes. We will definitely let you know about events that we will be running in the community.

We are launching our classes on the 11th of February at Central Community Church in Chilliwack from 10 am - 11 am. We would love it if you could come out and take some pictures if you think you can fit us into your schedule.

I look forward to connecting with you again soon.

Ryan, Little Kickers, Chilliwack

January 11^th 2011

December 29^th 2011

December 24^th 2011

Dear supporter,

Tomorrow morning we kick off our 18 day re-election campaign and re-launch of our web site: www.chuckstam.com

The full platform is there for those interested (or bored).

I remain honored and humbled by the incredible support and rewarding times we have experienced over the past twelve years together.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and if ever you have suggestions or queries regarding your City Hall please let me know!

Contact Chuck by e-mail here.

Regards,
Chuck Stam, Chilliwack Councillor

A big thank you to Craig Hill for the great story and photos covering the ACE IT - SSA Dinner on Thursday evening.

It was very kind of you to come out and experience our Apprenticeship night with the 600 attendees, you did a super job in your Valley Voice article.

Thank you for all your time and effort, Colin and I appreciated it very much.

Pat Esau
Apprenticeship Assistant
School Dist. #33 (Chilliwack)

My name is Millie and I'm a regular reader of thevalleyvoice.ca.

I'd like to thank you for the excellent information I've found on thevalleyvoice.ca; it's always a great pleasure to read your articles
and I have subsequently become a loyal reader.

I live in Banffshire, Scotland where I try to increase the awareness about cholesterol and heart disease amongst my family and friends.

Millie Bruce, Scotland

It occurred to me that you might be interested in including a guest article on thevalleyvoice.ca about a study from the American Heart Association that states heart disease is the World's No. 1 killer and cause more deaths than all forms of cancer combined.

For example, I could provide an article in the form of a little guide to help your readers learn more about the issue – hopefully, this would
spark a discussion about the topic at hand.

Please, take a minute to consider this proposal. Any support would be much appreciated.

With your help, we can educate the public about the dangers of heart disease and cholesterol, this hopefully can help someone avoid them.

Either way, thanks for reading and keep posting your excellent information on thevalleyvoice.ca.

I hope you have a good week.

Kind Regards,
Millie Bruce, Scotland
 

Thanks for mentioning the Art 33 show on your home page! That's great too, to have the show's poster and dates at the top of the page. Thank you!

Sue Grass, Chilliwack Visual Artists Association

April 5^th 2010

Horsin' Around

Just wanted to again thank you for your kind visit and the photo of Pat
and Mike. Despite the conditions, we had a good time and everyone felt they had done a full day's work! I look forward so much to this each year!

George Bowen, Lynden Washington Plowman

Hello, Regarding your article "100 Vigils in 100 Cities", I had to write and say thank you for a well written, thought provoking article. I was so impressed at both the writing and the quotes from Jeneane Ruscheinsky. She's a wonderful advocate for such an important cause and I want to thank your reporter and The Valley Voice News for giving this cause the attention it deserves. These vigils are history in the making all over our country and our world. Positive change is coming for those who depend on us for safety, comfort and love. Howling for all the dogs out there to be safe and loved.
Leah Amey

Just wanted to send you a quick note to say a huge thanx for covering the walk on Sat for the sled dogs and the next C-229! These articles go such a long way to helping us raise badly needed awareness about the issue and Bill, more so than the rally itself even and we are so dependant on great media outlets like yours to help get the word out! I've been helping this issue for many years and was go great to see such an informative and accurate article! The pics are also amazing!! Again, thank you so much for your exposure and reporting! It will go a long way as posting on many groups assisting us.. who will re-post, and the people will re-post, lol
Thank you, great job!! x
Paula Webber

January 30^th 2010

An Awakening

Wow! Great layout, Craig!
And thank you for your kind words, too.

    Yeah, money drives way too many actions. The charity my book supports delivers tangible hope to impoverished third world mothers struggling to raise their children in an extremely hostile world...Craig, I'm sure that The Valley Voice keeps you hopping, but you are doing a great job!

    Once again, super layout! Let's hope your feature article gets some people thinking about a new eco-social conservationist paradigm - a better way of
conceptualizing and sustaining our beautiful world.

Cheers, Michael Clarke

Author of Awakening To World Disorder and Climate Realities

January 24^th 2010

A Love Of Community Spirit

Wow.  Once again The Voice has shown it's community spirit with your awesome article and photos of our Cottonwood Mall display. 

Our volunteer committee has been working hard to put together this year's Investors Group Walk for Memories. 

Your coverage is a big boost to our goal of raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease, and of course we really appreciate your help in getting to the word out about our Walk for Memories. 

A big thanks to The Valley Voice News!!

Gail Johnson,

Volunteer Co-chair
Investors Group Walk for Memories, Fraser Valley
Alzheimer Society of BC

January 10^th 2010

Operation Fundraiser

Well, we have tallied up the donations from the Survival
Challenge. Mo and I are very pleased to tell you that the total monies raised for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation was $5938.00....sixty dollars short of doubling our goal!

The people of Chilliwack really came through for this. We both want to thank you again for you outstanding coverage and support, without it there is no way we would have done so well.

Jay & Mo

December 17^th 2010

Operation Fundraiser

Hello ValleyVoice. Greetings from Zürich, Switzerland.

Thank you for your on-going local coverage of Srgt Gavini & Mst Cpl Doiron fundraising for BC Kids.
Great articles and photos - much appreciated across the pond.

Happy Holidays & Keep up the important work.

May Gavini
(Srgt Gavini's sister)

November 1^st 2010

The Paddle

Very good report on the Paddle for Wild Salmon on their visit to Chilliwack a few days ago. With the Native drumming in the background it makes the report just super. Keep up your great reporting here in the
Valley.

Regards, Chris Gadsden

October 29^th 2010

Sto:lo Resource Centre Memories

Dear Mr. Hill:

Thank you very much for your offer for Government House to use the photographs that you had taken at the Sto:lo Resource Centre opening and for the article titled "Keepers of the Culture".

Their Honours had a great time at the event and the images are a great memento for them.
 

Thanks again.

Yours truly,
Herb LeRoy, Private Secretary
Office of the Lieutenant Governor

September 16^th 2010

Disabled Senior's $958 HST Renovation Bill

Dear City Councillors:
I recommended buying minibuses and increasing the frequency of trips to every 20 minutes.

One council member told me that would cost more. I saw the cost of new buses in the Chilliwack Progress this week. Four minibuses could be bought for
that.

Also the changing of routes would make coverage of the city more complete and efficient.

People have too far too walk to a bus line and too long to wait for a bus, so they give up and drive cars. Clean our air please. I heard on CBC today that half of our children have asthma. I doubt that, but the incidence has very greatly increased. Most adults have chronic runny noses, post nasal drip, sore throats, coughs and head aches. That is all caused by fine particulates in the air. Mistakenly they think they have a cold. Clean up air pollution please. Even blocked middle and inner ears result from the extra mucus our bodies produce
to try to cope with air pollution.

Myrtle Macdonald, Chilliwack

September 16^th 2010

Disabled Senior's $958 HST Renovation Bill
I received federal government forgivable loans: RRAP for home renovations for the handicapped, and HASI - senior ability to live independently. If we continue to live here 2 years the loans will be paid off by Canadian Mortgage and Housing. Both my brother, who lives with me, and I have numerous disabilities. With the work completed we both feel our health has improved and we are grateful. However the HST raised the costs above the government limit and I have to pay the contractor $958. On fixed incomes we cannot do so. There are others on low incomes, who are suffering like we are. We ask for the provincial government to rescind or revise the HST immediately. The old PST and GST were much less and would have been covered free of charge. New items are taxed by HST and they hit us hard.

Carolyn Machelenko, Chilliwack

August 2^nd 2010

A Nod Is As Good As A Wink

    Great coverage continues on The Valley Voice, the best place for local news in the Valley along with pictures of current events here and around Chilliwack. Keep up the good work in keeping us informed.

Chris Gadsden, Fraser River Salmon Society

August 12^th 2010

Thieves Steal Yarrow Colour

If you have any information regarding the thefts call Carol at: 604-823-6324 or Crimestoppers  1-800-222-8477

June 25^th 2010

Something to Smile About

Hi Craig (aka C Hill) - I just read through your online newspaper - and found your write up explaining the grass roots and purpose of

the Valley Voice.

Thank you for taking the time to provide this important service to our community. The write up said you've only been active for a year so I'm not surprised I missed you until now. I'll definitely keep my eyes on the Voice!

And a big thanks for posting the 'Choosing to Smile' press release along with the photo from our media page – it looks lovely.

Glenda Standeven
Co-author 'Choosing to Smile'
www.choosingtosmile.com
Join me on Facebook 'Choosing to Smile'

June 18^th 2010

A Special Note

I read your post on Facebook regarding those of us who never bother to write those 2 little words, and you're right. I really enjoy the Valley Voice website and check it at least once a day.

It's nice to have a source of community information that is updated almost immediately when something of interest happens, and the writers and photographers do an amazing job on each and every article!

I have to admit that I'm one of those people who didn't think to offer you a huge thank you for a job well done on an event that I am involved in.

Your article and pictures of our Alzheimer Walk for Memories in January were fantastic and very much appreciated by all on our committee who work so hard to put the Walk together and also by the participants.

A very belated but also very heartfelt thank you to The Valley Voice!! We hope to see you again at our 2011 Walk for Memories.

Keep up the great work......and THANK YOU so much again!

Gail Johnson, Volunteer Co-chair, Investors Group Walk for Memories, Alzheimer Society of BC

June 18^th 2010

Fitness Fun Run

Wow the article and pictures look amazing! I will definitely notify you again when we have an event at the gym! Have a wonderful day!

Hanne Loewen, Yarrow Fitness Inc. 604-823-7200

June 18^th 2010

Vissers' Voice

Your on-line paper looks great, very clean and easy to read. I'll be sure to check it on a reg. basis for news. Thanks for covering the WTE story last night.

John Vissers. Zero Waste BC
Fraser Valley Conservancy
Rail for the Valley

June 18^th 2010

Yarrow Fitness Fun Run

^{Wow the article and pictures look amazing! I will definitely notify you again when we have an event at the gym! Have a wonderful day!
Hanne Loewen,}

^{Yarrow Fitness Inc.}

^604-823-7200

June 12^th 2010

Yarrow Loves It's "Day"

Thank you so much for all the coverage of Yarrow Days! Fabulous photos.

Didn't know you existed. You're the only local media outlet that picked up on the Betty Urquhart award. Thank you so much for recognizing this. We are deeply honoured to have received the award. Proper name for the recipient is "The Yarrow Volunteer Society".

Please do amend your article about Hank the Barber. That one has been flying around Yarrow all week - we have a lot of Giesbrechts in town but no Frank. Hank is an institution and well loved.

Shall add you to our list when I send out a press release for upcoming events.

Agog at the space you gave us. Your photographer must have been here for hours. Cheryl Waslen was identified as her mother Eileen in a photo close to the end of the gallery. Cheryl has chaired Yarrow Days for the last 4 or 5 years. It's a big job and she does it well.

Carol Bell
Editor Yarrow Newsletter

June 9^th 2010

CAV Memorial Ride

Thank you so much for your story & support. It is truly appreciated & the photos are great. Thanks again & I hope you make it to our event this Saturday. Best Regards,

Barry, Vice President
3rd CAV Ubique Unit

June 4^th 2010

New Voice Design

Chris Gadsden commented on your Facebook status:

"Looks good. Keep up the good work covering the local news."

March 28^th 2010

The Good Old Days

Vancouver
 

April 16^th 2010

Painting With Words

I just wanted to thank you for the 'heads up' to the community about the Golden Palette Art Club's current art show at the City Hall. We appreciate all the publicity this has generated.

On a more personal note, my cheeks are still pink from seeing my painting on your page, as well as the quote of my Bio. I'm not used to being pulled out from under my rock and presented to the community.

There are so many worthy paintings in the show that I still remain surprised you chose mine as representative.

But I do thank you and maybe when I see how painless the exposure has been, perhaps I won't be so shy about it should it ever happen again.

Gratefully yours,

Lauren (Spilsbury), Chilliwack

March 21^st 2010

I wanted to thank you for your coverage of my participation in the Paralympics Torch Relay in Hope on March 9th.

It was a very proud moment for me to not only perform but to be asked to represent Hope.

The songs that I chose to perform; I Believe In Dreams off my third CD
She Drives and the single Looking For A Love Like were self-penned and significant to the event.

I found your article and wanted to say that appreciate your support.

Sincerely,
Debbie Bergeron, Hope BC
Singer/songwriter/recording artist
www.debbiebergeron.com 

March 15th 2010

Thank you for the information. I agree with you completely. It is very concerning re the lack of (torch) coverage and says a lot as to how far we have come with relation to the disabled, not far at all.

Lynda Hayden CDSRS, Chilliwack BC

March 13th 2010

I just wanted to say that article was great! (Re: Local Chilliwack Print Media Snubs Torch Relay) When I saw the local papers coverage, I too was disgusted. glad to see someone cares.

Keep up the good work!

Kirtus at Kirtus DeFehr Photography, Chilliwack BC

February 18th 2009

One of your reporters was standing outside the Chilliwack court house a few days ago and gave me his card. I did not have time to talk to him, but I offer you the attached information, which is germane to his concerns. In addition to what is attached a couple of other issues have arisen.

A social worker admitted to having obtained a document illegally and having deleted all his emails dealing with the source of the document. Judge Crabtree has ordered him to retrieve them. Another important item is that the medical opinion evidence may be ruled inadmissible.

The judge has already banned the doctors from assuming any cause for any of the injuries. (The principle hear is that a doctor is not able to determine whether an injury is deliberate or accidental from medical evidence only.) The likelihood of deliberate injury is determined from a combination of medical evidence and profile. Profiles with a history of negligence and frequent injury, lack of lifeskills etc.

The Baynes present an excellent profile. With the medical evidence being so shaky, the ministry appears to be trying to re-invent the family profile by bringing on various character assassination witnesses who offer only smear and innuendo. They hide behind anonymous "collateral informants", which of course is pure hearsay.

Unfortunately, section 14 of the CF&CSA requires people to report if they have reason to believe a child is at risk, but nowhere is anonymity guaranteed. It is just that the ministry always try to operate in secrecy. They have a lot to hide.

Ray Ferris

Author of the "The Art of Child Protection"
 

More From Baynes Supporters

Your Voice                                                      Tuesday May 25^th 2010

Letter to the Editor

Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement

Eco-Logic's Donald Costin says industry not sustainable under new plan

Craig Hill/Voice

                                                                                                                                            Eco-Logic's Donald Costin

My quick and dirty analysis of the Agreement

I can’t understand why David Suzuki Foundation and others signed the Forest Agreement. We need to approach David Suzuki et. al. and let them know that we disagree with the intent of the Forest Agreement. No need to go public as that is what the forest companies want – divide and conquer.

The Forest Agreement stinks; it’s 99% in favor of the Forestry Industry. A fact sheet can be viewed here.

Forestry Companies Participating in the Agreement

AbitibiBowater Inc., Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., AV Group, Canfor Corporation, Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership, Cariboo Pulp & Paper Company, Cascades inc., Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., F.F. Soucy Inc., Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Limited Partnership, Kruger Inc., Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., Mercer International, Mill & Timber Products Ltd., NewPage Corporation, Papier Masson Ltée, SFK Pâte, Tembec, Tolko Industries Ltd., West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., and Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, all represented by the Forest Products Association of Canada.

Environmental Organizations Participating in the Agreement

Canadian Boreal Initiative, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Canopy (formerly Markets Initiative), David Suzuki Foundation, ForestEthics, Greenpeace, Ivey Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and Pew Environment Group’s International Boreal Conservation Campaign.

Here are some quotes from the Agreement and why I am suspect of the monumental agreement announced today by the Forestry Companies and Environmentalists.

Contract Law

Once you sign a contract there’s no retracting your agreement. So to say that this Agreement is a starting point for negotiations is a farce, plain and simple. Consider an “Offer to Purchase”, once you sign it (as the purchaser) you’re on the hook for the total capital amount. Default results in forfeiture of Deposit and possible Lawsuit. Have you ever tried to negotiate with the Vendor once you sign the Offer to Purchase contract and guarantee the Deposit? So there’s no negotiating; the original wording of the Agreement stands. There’s no negotiating once the ink has dried.

“A full life cycle approach to forest carbon management”

Definition is lacking. How does cutting down the forest result in carbon management? Trees are the “carbon sink”; removing the trees removes the carbon sink. Is that what is meant by the term “carbon management”? They all need to read Biology 101!

Suspension of New Logging

You don’t even have to read the fine print; the notion of  the Agreement calls for the suspension of new logging on nearly 29 million hectares of Boreal Forest.

Ok, put on your thinking cap, what about the thousands of forestry licenses that currently exist? Do they get cancelled, or do the forest companies keep on with their practice of “cut baby cut” (ala to Sarah Palin – drill baby drill referring to oil exploration off the West coast)? What about the remaining 98% of the Boreal forest, is it up for full scale harvesting? This seems two-faced.

The Networks of Protected Areas

"The completion of joint proposals for networks of protected areas and the recovery of species at risk including woodland caribou."

The remaining woodlands are “disjoint” and can be characterized at best as a “patch work” of isolated woodlots. This pattern developed as a result of selectively clear-cutting large areas of the forest. Caribou, deer, and other animals have followed trails, etc for centuries on their daily routines and during migration, now we create patches (clear cuts) in the forest and they are disoriented trying to navigate from patch to patch.

In so doing they are exposed as easy prey for the predators. How do they plan to “fill in the gaps”, after all isn’t that what a network of protected areas is? The animals need to pass safely from one forested area to the next. Haven’t any of the parties to the Forest Agreement, including David Suzuki, read the book on Biology 101?

The Economic Future of Forest Communities

"Support for the economic future of forest communities and for the recognition of conservation achievements in the global marketplace."

Maybe I missed the point, but I can’t figure out how that plan is supposed to help the environment. It’s all about "licence holders."

The intent is to finalize a network of protected areas in a manner that seeks to avoid negative economic impacts and, wherever possible, minimizes, mitigates, and addresses impacts on affected parties such as tenure or licence holders.

FPAC, FPAC Members, and ENGOs (Environmental Non-Government Organizations) believe that the following should be respected when addressing forest sector interests and acknowledge that similar criteria need to be developed in relation to the interests of other stakeholders:

Minimizing the effects on the supply and cost of fibre, as measured by all applicable factors including worldwide:

a) competitiveness, quantity, cost of harvesting, and transportation and logistics costs; minimizing the effects on cost-competitiveness, production, and employment at individual facilities and:

b) indirect impact on suppliers, contractors, service providers, and local governments; and the ability to mitigate the effects on fibre availability and cost through other readily available measures through:

c) an exploration of current and new public policy measures.

Goal 6

In return for "suspension of new logging" you environmentalists must (here it is in my words) "shut up and stay off the streets". Translation: “keep quiet while we pillage the forests.” Here’s what we must do while they keep on cutting (and David Suzuki and others have signed off on the agreement to do so!)

Effective as of the date of the public announcement of the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement ENGOS will:

Suspend all activities that seek as their primary intent to have existing customers of FPAC Members reduce a) or eliminate their purchases of forest products from the Boreal operations of FPAC Members, or discourage potential customers from making purchases of forest products from the Boreal operations of FPAC Members — by way of example, this includes things such as direct actions targeting FPAC Members or their customers in relation to forest products from the Boreal operations of FPAC Members, negative media work targeting FPAC Members or their customers in relation to forest products from the Boreal operations of FPAC Members, targeted requests to customers of FPAC Members for cancellations of contracts that pertain to forest products from their Boreal operations, and requests to boycott forest products from the Boreal operations of FPAC Members; Suspend all activities that seek as their primary intent to, on the basis of the operations of a FPAC Member in the b) Boreal, have shareholders of a FPAC.

Key Economic Facts

Isn’t it a bit strange that the forest industry mentions:

Revenues: $54.2 Billion

Exports: $23.6 Billion

R & D: $364 Million - 0.67 of 1% (R & D is less than 1% of revenues)

They are exporting 43.5 % of the revenues i.e. raw logs offshore with our jobs.

Jobs

No mention of total wages paid, suggesting that the wages compared to revenues are minimal. Est. 35,000 full-time equivalent jobs x $46,822.00/Job = $1.64 Billion Wages Annually.

That is wages are: 3.24% of revenues, i.e. minimal; so the forest companies are making windfall profits, yet they want us to “shut up”. They also forgot to mention R & D funding from the Gov. and tax breaks.

Read the May 18 press release here. A CFA fact sheet is here and the full Boreal Agreement is here.

                                                                                                       © Copyright (c) The Valley Voice

  Voice Editorial    September 14 2009

 by Craig Hill/The Voice

Chilliwack Slots: Are We Winners or Losers?
When plain old bingo just isn't enough

I don't support adding to the gambling infrastructure in Chilliwack. I've seen the damage that gambling has on families. My own father struggled with an addiction to it which affected the well being of the family. I also think that slot machines will detract from other fundraising activities in the city simply because less money will be available due to it being tossed into the cavernous mouths of hungry slot machines.

But having said that, I believe that slots, like most other municipalities have, are inevitable. Looking at the big picture, slot machines are bound to happen in Chilliwack because we don't exist in a bubble here. The community needs to work within support parameters which should all be laid out in advance then sit back and wait for the problems to happen.

I'd like to see people spend less time opposing something like this and put that energy into handling the fallout from it instead. For example; what forms of assistance will be available to problem gamblers and their families and other rehabilitation programs that should be in place before the slots are. These programs and the help available should all be paid for by the Chilliwack Bingo Association and the BCLC.

One positive mentionable is that people who just can't live without playing their slot machines won't have to travel to other areas of the lower mainland to get their "fix" with slots in the city here.

It's important to remember that the better the slot machines do the more problem gaming addictions it creates.

If the issue of slots was such a hot potato council could have looked at a referendum but nonetheless they should be thanked for being democratic regarding this process of adding slot machines and letting the public have their say. Kudos to council.

© Copyright (c) The Valley Voice   

 Your Voice   August 12 2009

Our Readers Write

HST Hits Fixed Income People Hardest

Honourable Mister Minister Penner

These days I question the word honourable in respect of Ministers of the current Provincial government, especially since the announcement of the upcoming harmonization of the GST & PST.

        This notion of a Harmonized Sales Tax must be borne out of someone’s nightmare because it certainly is not my idea of a sweet dream.  For the Minister of Finance to publicly display his disdain for opponents to this proposal is shameful, almost equaling the Premier’s thought that people would not be outraged.

        The idea that this will be revenue neutral for business may be true, but it certainly won’t be for most of the taxpayers in B.C.  This is worse than Translink in Metro Vancouver and the gasoline companies in general who each think the average person has a money tree in their backyard to get money from to pay these ever escalating fees and taxes.  That is certainly not the case!  Contrary to your party’s mistaken belief, I’m sure the majority of B.C. residents are opposed to this hare-brained idea.  Was it the cash waved by Ottawa that made up your collective mind?  Or some other irrational notion that people would stand still for this?  The people who are likely to be affected most are the middle income people/families, lower income people/families, the working poor, pensioners and the homeless.  Did I leave anyone out?  I don’t think so. What of the families buying children’s clothing, school supplies, bicycles, personal hygiene items, to name a few?  What of the services which up until now are subject to the GST because they are services not a commodity?  They all will now be subject to this harmonization!

        The government is able to act like the high priced, unelected, paid Translink board members, or the high priced Health Region Board members and raise your wages while the average person has to struggle on with the same, or in some cases a reduced income.  The pensioners’ income is fixed, but all of these groups’ disposable income will be reduced by your idea. In my opinion this is just a thinly veiled tax grab as is the carbon tax. 

        Just one more in a seemingly endless cycle of attacks on the electorate.  Is it your government’s proposal to make this tax similar to the GST, which is a tax applied upon all other taxes?  If so, that is a never ending circle.

        As my MLA I expect, no, I demand that you represent me in opposing this proposed tax at the Cabinet table, and especially if and when it comes to a vote in the legislature.

        If this notion had been brought forward prior to the recent election I, and I am sure many other of your constituents would not have voted for you.  This is an affront, and I am outraged, as I’m sure you can tell by the tone of this missive.

Yours truly,

Barry Greenwood, Chilliwack BC

Voice Editorial                                                 July 25  2009

 by Craig Hill/The Voice

A Tale Of Two Taxes

The HST will trigger the biggest taxation fight BC has ever seen

By now everyone in BC has heard of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The provincial and federal governments want to save money by combining the two taxes so the system is being brought in to BC after being successfully applied in eastern Canada and the Maritimes.

What it means is that the 7% Provincial Sales Tax will be combined with the 5% Goods and Services Tax into a more easily manageable 12% system which in turn will save federal and provincial money.

That part is easy to understand but what people aren't getting is why a range of services that aren't currently taxed will all of a sudden be taxed. To get this tax started, the Tories have a carrot for BC –  $1.6B to help pay for the transition to HST.

Businesses are concerned and rightfully so because any tax increase will be passed on to their customers which they feel will effect sales.

Following is a partial list of businesses and services which will be affected by the harmonization of the two taxes:

Goods
• Food portion of restaurant meals
• Residential fuels (electricity, natural gas) and heating.
• Basic cable TV and residential phones.
• All food products (only basic groceries will remain exempt under new tax).
• Non-prescription medication.
• Vitamins and dietary supplements.
• Bicycles.
• School supplies (books will continue to be exempt).
• Magazines and newspapers.
• Work-related safety equipment.
• Safety helmets, life jackets, first-aid kits.
• Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
• Energy conservation equipment (e.g., insulation, solar power equipment).
Services
• Personal services such as hair care.
• Dry cleaning.
• Repair services for household appliances.
• Household maintenance such as renovations and painting.
• Real estate fees.
• Membership fees for health clubs.
• Movie and theatre tickets.
• Funeral services.
• Professional services such as accounting and home care.
• Airline fares within Canada.

Gordon Campbell and Colin Hanson think people are stupid and won't get it. Perhaps its time for a tax revolt. It remains to be seen whether British Columbians will fight this tax grab but it is heating up. Why would business complain? They'll just pass this on to their customers.

© Copyright (c) The Valley Voice