Federal and provincial New Democrats call on Parliament to block HST

OTTAWA – New Democrat Leader Jack Layton, BC NDP Leader Carole James, and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath today called on all Members of Parliament to block the HST by voting down enabling legislation being debated in the House of Commons.

“It’s time for politicians to start listening to the people who elected them. They’ve been clear. They don’t want to pay a new unfair tax," said Layton. “New Democrats have consistently opposed the HST because it is the wrong tax at the wrong time.”

With the federal Conservatives plowing ahead with their plan to impose the HST on the people of British Columbia and Ontario, New Democrats came together today to voice their strong, united opposition to the tax.

The New Democrat Leaders denounced the Harper government’s plan to ram through the federal legislation which will open the door for the provincial governments to implement the new tax.

“British Columbians continue to be overwhelmingly opposed to this tax grab by a desperate BC Liberal government that didn’t tell the truth during the campaign. And the BC New Democrats will take every opportunity to stop the HST from being implemented,” said James.

“For families struggling with the recession a new 8 per cent tax on everything from home heating to Christmas trees is kicking them when they’re down,” said Horwath. "Ontario families have said 'no' and their politicians need to listen."

“Now, with federal and provincial Liberals walking in lockstep with the Conservative government, we are taking every opportunity to stop this punitive and unfair tax,” said Layton. “We’re asking all MPs to stand up for the people who elected them and vote no to the government’s bill.”