When a company tries to sell a product no one wants, a common tactic is to lure the customer in with an appealing pitch, then deliver a lemon deal. This is called a bait and switch. The B.C. government, in its 2010 budget, put a new spin on this tactic - more like a switch and bait. It took some hated taxes and rebranded them as “health taxes.” But if the government thinks anyone is fooled by this, it should think again.

The tax take from the HST, the Medical Services Premium (MSP), health transfers from the federal government, tobacco taxes, and lottery revenues will now go to health care. But people will still hate the HST. As healthcare costs are spiralling out of control, it appears the government has now given itself permission to raise the HST – but if the government thinks taxpayers don't mind because it's all going to health care, it is sorely mistaken.

Health taxes hurt a family’s bottom line and won't lead to healthcare reform. Instead of picking more hard-earned cash from taxpayers' pockets, politicians must do what every family does when it hits rough times – reduce spending. Rebranding taxes is a not-so-subtle ploy that shows this government lacks focus, vision and the will to make difficult decisions. Without real reform in the healthcare sector, soon all tax dollars will go to healthcare.

By: Maureen Bader
Posted: March 08, 2010
Topic: British Columbia

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