Barring any slowdowns from the postal strike action, the HST mail-in referendum is underway, with packages en route.
The packages include a ballot, instructions and three envelopes — and for those of you who generally toss out instruction manuals — don’t. In typical government fashion, the key thing to remember for the HST referendum is that yes means no and no means yes.
Feel confused? You are not alone.
The wording of the ballot reads: “Are you in favour of extinguishing the HST (harmonized sales tax) and reinstating the PST (provincial sales tax) in conjunction with the GST (goods and services tax)? (Yes/No).”
Remember the wise words of high school teachers everywhere and read the question thoroughly before marking your answer.
Voting yes means you are in favour of scrapping the HST.
Voting no means you’d like to keep it around.
The cynic in us wonders if Christy Clark’s government is counting on voter confusion as a way of boosting support for the tax at the ballot box.
This is much like how the Liberals were planning an “education” campaign on the HST, which has since turned into an obviously partisan attempt to sway voter opinion in favour of the new tax.
You might believe the Liberals’ change to a 10 per cent HST is the best choice.
You might not.
How you decide to vote is up to you. But be sure you are marking your ballot with your true intention, not out of confusion.
– Black Press