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Used-car sales tax deception continues

Re: “Donations taint politics in B.C.,” editorial, Jan. 17. MLA Bill Bennett says it is insulting if you believe political donations influence the decisions of government. This reminds me of when the B.C.

Re: “Donations taint politics in B.C.,” editorial, Jan. 17.

MLA Bill Bennett says it is insulting if you believe political donations influence the decisions of government. This reminds me of when the B.C. Liberals changed the provincial sales tax from seven per cent to 12 per cent on the private purchase of used vehicles. For years, B.C. car dealerships lobbied government that it was unfair when they sold a used car that the purchaser had to pay seven per cent PST and five per cent GST, but someone privately purchasing a used vehicle paid only seven per cent PST.

In 2010, under the cover of the introduction of the HST, the Liberals responded to the dealership lobby and raised the PST to 12 per cent on the private purchase of used vehicles. In 2013, when the HST was cancelled, the PST on the private sale of used vehicles remained at 12 per cent. But perhaps the deception continues: Most British Columbians mistakenly believe that the 12 per cent on the private sale of used cars includes a federal tax.

So much for government decisions — what about the influence part? In 2016, the New Car Dealers Association is one of the top 10 donors to the B.C. Liberal party. The Elections B.C. website shows 287 donations from the association from 2005 to 2016, totalling $1.25 million. In 2009, the year before the tax change that so directly benefited them, the association and individual dealerships donated $282,000.

Draw your own conclusion.

My conclusion: How stupid do they think we are?

Stephen Hill

Victoria