Dear Editor,

Saint Augustine wrote that “patience is the companion of wisdom” and it would seem that MLA Norm Macdonald might need a good dose of both when it comes to his understanding of the HST.  Recently he claimed, in reference to the HST, that “nothing has changed” and that “there is no end in sight.” Well, he could not have been more wrong.

On May 14, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon introduced legislation that will return British Columbia to the PST on April 1, 2013. As committed, the PST is being re-implemented with all the permanent exemptions. What is really exciting is the new common sense improvements that will make administration of the sales tax easier for business. These changes will simplify business compliance and reduce costs for small and large business alike. The improvements reflect the recommendations that were made by the business community and an expert panel on business taxations that was struck in January.

In addition, the government has updated the Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code which Minister Falcon stated “demonstrates that this government is committed to taxpayer rights, fair dispute resolution and timely appeals.” With the reintroduction of the PST, we are refreshing the code and affirming our continuing commitment to fairness and service to tax payers.

The process back to the PST has taken time but it has been time well worth it and has been done with British Columbians in mind. Contrary to Mr. Macdonald’s notion that there was no end in sight, your government has not only listened but made sure that we got it right, for all of our families.

In the end, at least on the BC Liberal side of the House, patience does end up being the champion of wisdom. For more information of the return to the PST visit www.hstinbc.ca.

Doug Clovechok

BC Liberal Candidate Nominee Columbia-Revelstoke