There appears to be a growing trend to have ‘professional’ managers of business associations, rather than hiring experienced business people who built up their own businesses.
These new leaders are usually well-educated in the theory of business but rarely have ever created one themselves.
This is exemplified by the present executive director of the White Rock Chamber of Commerce and the CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade. These two smart ladies are pushing the pro-HST line that only benefits big business – the type of company that is not typical of these organizations.
Big businesses that do not sell directly to the B.C. public do benefit from the HST, as their customers have not had their pockets picked. This is true for both big resource companies (foreign buyers) and the giant construction companies who get their contracts directly from the B.C. government.
It is not a coincidence that these two groups form the core of the Smart Tax Alliance (spending millions to keep the HST) and also are major contributors to the B.C. Liberals.
It is a tragedy that not enough owners of small businesses in B.C. do not challenge the pro-HST spin that is being put out by their nominal leaders.
It is small business that is the real economic engine in Canada; they employ more than 90 per cent of the employees and have to operate in a truly competitive market.
The small drop in their expenses offered by the HST is no consolation for the significant drop in their sales because of the reduced cash left in the pockets of the consumers after they have paid all these ever-growing taxes.
Consumers will be $2 billion poorer with the HST compared to the PST. This means that most small businesses collectively will be $2 billion poorer.
Small business people – do not be conned.
Herbert Spencer, PhD
Surrey