HST Mailout

22 April 2010 4 Comments

The B.C.government says it’s planning a province-wide, pro-HST mailout within the next month. The announcement was met with considerable resistance from the anti-HST movement which launched a formal complaint with Elections BC and the RCMP. The group (Fight HST) argues the government’s mailout violates the initiative Act.

By law, the mailout can only contain advertising that would happen regardless of the HST. Finance Minister Colin Hansen stated that the mailout will contain the government’s budget measures, which will include information about the new tax, but will not campaign against those trying to have the contentious tax repealed.

The legislation defines initiative advertising as anything aimed at promoting or opposing an initiative or draft legislation. Hansen ensured the government’s compliance with the law and stated that “we will not use this as a vehicle to campaign against the initiative.”

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading ...

4 Comments »

Dale said:

I think that its ridiculous that the government cannot supply information letting us know about the benefits of the HST while it seems like those that would like to try to stop it, dont seem to be under the same restraints. If you look around, its very much more difficult to find information other than the doomsday camp’s perspective on the tax.

# 25 April 2010 at 12:42 pm

Denny said:

The government can not campaign FOR the HST because they did NOT register with elections BC for permission to do so.

Get your facts straight.

# 26 April 2010 at 11:07 am

cheryl said:

Dale – all they had to do was register as an official opponent by March 8th and in fact, it was strongly suggested by Elections BC that they do so. In their supreme arrogance, they declined. And, once again, the BC Lieberals are in a mess of their own making.

# 28 April 2010 at 5:40 am