BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson stated Sept. 28 that if elected he and his party would eliminate the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) for one year, followed by cutting it to three per cent in year two until the economy starts to recover from COVID-19 pandemic.

“Eliminating the PST puts more money in people’s pockets, stimulates growth for struggling small business, and helps British Columbians who are struggling to get by. This is a vital step to rebuild our economy,” added BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson. “Since everybody pays the PST, everybody saves under our BC Liberal plan.”

As John Horgan and the NDP continue to hide the fact that this risky pandemic election is just an attempted power grab, the BC Liberals introduced the first major pillar of their economic plan focused on helping all British Columbians get through the biggest economic challenge in generations.

Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok says the move would benefit the tourism industry.

“The elimination of B.C.’s Provincial Sales Tax is good news for everyone in Columbia River-Revelstoke. Every resident and every visitor will have more disposable income, which means more to spend in locally owned businesses. Many visitors to Columbia River-Revelstoke are from jurisdictions where they don’t have a provincial sales tax and when B.C. doesn’t have it either it will be very good news for the significant part of our local economy that is driven by the tourism sector.”

For former Village of Radium Hot Springs Mayor, Regional District of East Kootenay director and long-time Columbia Valley business leader Dee Conklin, “This announcement couldn’t come at a better time. As a small business owner today, I always feel like I am in catch up mode. In our area, we have the extra competition of being so close to Alberta, which has no PST. This will put us on an even playing field and should absolutely stimulate the economy in the East Kootenay. “As we all know it is small and medium businesses who keep the economy going and now they will be able to reinvest in their businesses and their employees. I haven’t been this excited about a government initiative in a very long time.”

Lead image: Radium Hot Springs Market on Main, a favourite with tourists and locals. e-KNOW file photo

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