VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released Leger polling showing 66 per cent of British Columbians oppose the provincial government’s upcoming PST expansion. 

“The poll shows that British Columbians in every region and across every demographic oppose Premier David Eby’s plan to expand the PST on Oct. 1,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the CTF. “Eby needs to listen to British Columbians and cancel his tax hike on families and businesses.” 

The provincial government is planning to expand the PST to include a range of professional services like security guards, accountants and architects. It’s also expanding the tax to include clothing patterns, knitting supplies, cable television and landline telephones. 

The Leger poll asked British Columbians if the B.C. government should cancel or proceed with the planned PST expansion. The results of the poll show: 

• 66 per cent say cancel the PST expansion
• 15 per cent say proceed with the PST expansion 
• 19 per cent are unsure 

Most British Columbians in every demographic — gender, age and region — oppose the provincial government expanding sales taxes in October. Women, people aged 55+ and residents of Vancouver Island are the most opposed. 

Among those with an opinion, 82 per cent say the government should cancel the PST expansion. 

The B.C. legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Service also recommends the government "repeal the planned Provincial Sales Tax expansion.”  

“Eby should cancel the tax hike because British Columbians can’t afford to pay more for basics like cable television and landline phones,” Binda said. “Businesses that hire security guards or accountants will pay higher taxes and those costs will be passed down to B.C. families at the till.” 

The PST expansion is projected to cost British Columbian taxpayers nearly $1.5 billion over the next three years.