Former British Columbia Premier Bill Vander Zalm (C) holds a pair of boxing gloves given to him by a supporter while celebrating the result of British Columbia's HST referendum vote outside the Law Courts in Vancouver Friday. British Columbians voted against the HST. (REUTERS)
A victory for the taxpayers, a victory for the people, that’s the topic of tonight’s Byline.
We`ve been hearing plenty about the Tea Party in the United States for the last couple of years. They have pushed and struggled to take power back from the hands of those who run the system, those in it just for themselves and give it back to the people.
While the Americans continue to struggle, a similar movement here in Canada had a major victory late last week, one that was understandably overshadowed by other events.
The referendum to scrap the harmonized sales tax in British Columbia is a major victory for those who believe in the idea that you cannot tax without the consent of the governed.
In the American Revolution they popularized the idea of no taxation without representation. Too many Canadians still think that is an American ideal that has nothing to do with Canada. That`s just not true.
The idea that our rulers need to have the consent of the people to levy taxes is an ancient one.
In 1215 King John signed the Magna Carta in which he agreed that “ No scutage nor aid shall be imposed on our kingdom, unless by common counsel of our kingdom.“
He agreed not to levy taxes without consulting the barons and nobles who paid the taxes.
In 1689 the English Bill of Rights, a document cited in our own Parliament and considered a foundational document of Canada, said that there could be no taxation by royal prerogative.
That meant Parliament had to decide, that the people`s representatives, would have a say in any matter of taxation.
Gordon Campbell, the former Liberal premier of BC, campaigned on not increasing taxes and specifically on not bringing about the HST.
Right after the election, he changed his mind. He attempted to raise taxes by royal prerogative he didn`t even seek a vote in the legislature.
The experts do not like this of course, the fact that people rejected the HST.
The Globe and Mail sniffed that “ HST’s defeat in BC shows danger of ruling by plebiscite.“
Neils Veldhuis, an economist and VP at the Fraser Institute took to twitter to denounce the vote “ Defeat of #HST a crushing blow to BC’s competitiveness“
Veldhuis may be right and economically the HST may have been a superior way to raise tax revenue. In fact, raising consumption taxes and lowering income taxes is generally considered good economic policy.
But that`s not the point.
The point is that the people were told one thing by their supposed betters, that there would be no HST, no tax increase, and then those same people decided they knew better and changed the rules.
You can`t do that.
We need to take that spirit of BC and spread it across the country.
We need to make sure that when a politician says no to taxes and then changes their mind we show them the door.
Jean Chretien campaigned on scrapping the GST, he broke that and many other promises and we rewarded him with two more majority governments.
Dalton McGuinty promised no tax increases for Ontario and then brought in a health tax and illegal eco taxes, some of which are still being charged.
Stephen Harper promises to keep spending under control and yet spending under watch has increased dramatically.
We need to hold politicians to their word and when they fail to live up to their promises we should show them the door otherwise they will not fear you, only hold you in contempt.
The voters of BC showed that the people can fight back and they can win. Let`s move that spirit across the country.
And that`s the Byline.
