Where to Sign the HST Petition

The HST or Harmonized Sales Tax is coming to BC July 1st. It does away with our Provincial Sales Tax (currently 7%) but still adds 7% to the GST. BC’s HST will be 12% while other provinces adopting the system, such as Ontario, will have a 13% HST.

The Canada Revenue Agency is hosting seminars to familiarize the public and business owners with the new tax rules however the HST has not come without opposition.

Photo © Stephen Hui on Flickr

HST “Pros” I’ve heard…

HST “Cons” I’ve heard…

There are only a few weeks left to get signatures on petitions and without being able to publicly advertise the anti-HST sentiment, most information is simply being shared online. The signatures for the petition however, must be collected in person.

You need to be a registered voter in order to sign the petition. The collection of signatures began April 6, 2010 and will continue for 90 days until July 5, 2010. If 10% of the registered voters in each electoral district sign the petition, the government may have to put the HST to a general referendum. [SayNotoHSTinBC.com]

The FightHST.com website is leading the way, listing all petition locations around BC. Upcoming signing events in Metro Vancouver include:

City: Vancouver
Riding: Fairview, False Creek, Langara, Point Grey, Quilchena, West End
Location: Riley Park Community Centre (50 East 30th Avenue)
Date: May 18, 2010 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Riding: All Vancouver Ridings
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery (Robson St Side)
Date: Every Saturday until July 1st, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Riding: Fairview, False Creek, Langara, Point Grey, Quilchena, West End
Location: Choices Market (Richards and Davie St)
Date: Daily 9:00pm – 11:30am (Thursdays & Fridays until 2:30pm)

Riding: Fairview, False Creek, Langara, Point Grey, Quilchena, West End
Location: Marpole Place (1305 70 Avenue West)
Date: May 20, 2010 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Riding: Fairview, False Creek, Langara, Point Grey, Quilchena, West End
Riding: Downtown, Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Cross Town – East Vancouver
Location: Pantheon Athletic Club (202 – 865 Hornby Street at Smithe (2nd Floor))
Date: Every Tuesday until July 1st, 3:30pm – 6:00pm
Date: Every Thursday until July 1st, 11:30am – 2:00pm

Riding: Fairview, False Creek, Langara, Point Grey, Quilchena, West End
Location: Oakridge Seniors’ Centre (650 W 41st Ave)
Date: Every Thursday from May 13th – 27th, 10:00am – 3:30pm

Riding: Fairview, False Creek, Langara, Point Grey, Quilchena, West EndADDRESS:
Location: Vancouver Public Library (Robson & Homer)
Date: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Tuesdays – Thursday & Weekends 12:00pm – 2:30pm

Riding: Fairview, False Creek, Langara, Point Grey, Quilchena, West End
Location: 4100 Salish Drive, Musqueum (Just west of W 41st and S.W. Marine Dr)
Dates: Monday, May 17th 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Look for vehicle with Fight HST rooftop sign

Riding: False Creek, Point Grey
Location: Ron Zalko Fitness (1807 West First Avenue)
Date: May 10th until July 1st, Monday-Friday 5:00pm – 8:00pm & Saturday 1:00pm – 6:00pm

So far the petition has passed 400,000 signatures with just a few weeks to go. For more information check out the Facebook group or check FightHST.com for updates.