Re: “Pro HST ‘spin’ from business leaders” (The Leader, June 8).
Letter writer Herbert Spencer wants to know why small businesses in B.C. do not challenge the pro-HST “spin.”
Well it is pretty obvious to me that Mr. Spencer is not a small business owner. The HST doesn’t just help big business. If Mr. Spencer was a small business owner he would know that the HST is good for small business and big business alike.
There is half the paper work with the HST. It is good for jobs, which is good for B.C. It allows us to be more competitive internationally.
I have been a small business owner in B.C. for more than 40 years and yes I do agree with Mr. Spencer, on one point, that small business is the real economic engine for Canada.
The HST helps all businesses and now with the lower rates, everyone, including the consumer, will be better off. I work with many small business owners and I do not know one that is not in favour of the HST.
One thing I know from personal experience is that since the Liberals have been in power in B.C. we have attracted big and small businesses. When the NDP were in power they caused massive economic destruction. Their policies destroyed my business that I took 28 years to build and forced me to permanently lay off over 45 people. Thousands more either shut down or moved away.
Our B.C. Liberals are not perfect. They made some mistakes but our economy has weathered the world-wide economic crisis better than almost anywhere. They are on the right track.
Bob Edwards, Surrey