GVBOT welcomes Legislative Committee recommendation to repeal PST expansion

For Immediate Release



VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade welcomes today's recommendation from the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the Province to repeal its planned expansion of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST).

B.C.’s PST is already the most uncompetitive sales tax in Canada, and on October 1st it will be expanded to include a wide range of service like security, accounting, engineering, architectural, and commercial real estate management.

Since this measure was first announced, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has consistently raised concerns about its impact on businesses and consumers across British Columbia. Through our Stop the Squeeze campaign and alongside partners from across the business community, we have urged the Province to reconsider this tax on a tax that raises the cost of doing business and harms our competitiveness as B.C. tries to strengthen and grow its economy.

"We welcome this recommendation and hope the government listens to the Committee and to the thousands of British Columbians, businesses, and organizations that have raised concerns about this proposal," said Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. "At a time when businesses are facing rising costs, economic uncertainty, and growing competitive pressures, the Province should be looking for ways to improve affordability and encourage investment, not expanding the PST and creating a new tax on tax for the services that businesses rely on every day."

The Committee's recommendation sends a clear message: this proposed tax expansion was the wrong approach. We urge the government to repeal the tax expansion before the October 1st implementation date.

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About the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:

Since its inception in 1887, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Western Canada's leading business association, engaging our members to inform public policy at all levels of government and empowering them to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one-third of B.C.'s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities and providing professional development through unique programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events platforms in the country, providing a stage for national and international thought leaders to enlighten B.C.'s business leaders.

Media contact:

Federico Cerani
Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com