[An article by Andre Bradford]

Although the government of Ontario recently chose to exempt low cost meals and items (those under $4) from the Harmonized Sale Tax (HST), restaurateurs warn that prices may still rise. Tim Horton’s, along with several prominent fast food chains and other countless small time businesses, has joined together with the Canadian Restaurateurs Food Association to protest the implementation of the HST. Posters and petitions for the ‘No Meal Tax’ have become a mainstay in Tim’s and other establishments across the provinces of BC and Ontario, …

The Canadian Revenues Agency has released a memorandum detailing initiatives to encourage tourism and foreign conventions in Canada. The news comes amidst a wake of backlash from critics of the proposed Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
The document outlines the various criteria that must be met in order for non-Canadian residents to be compensated for the GST/HST spent while working or vacationing here. These amendments are sure to bring a sigh of relief from communities that are heavily focused on tourism. With packages such as ski, golf and all inclusive resort …

Sean Holman from CFax 1070 based out of Victoria has some interesting things to say about the proposed HST, and what angles the government may use to subdue the restaurant industry’s response to BC HST. Sean points out that, in BC’s recent history, the restaurant industry has lobbied against two key topics.
Firstly, the minimum wage in British Columbia is the lowest in Canada at $8/hour. The restaurant industry has lobbied against the concept of hiking BC minimum wage to $10, which is the course of action New Brunswick has taken …