Kelvin Goertzen

Steinbach Progressive Conservative MLA Kelvin Goertzen is getting a lot of feedback from constituents after the NDP announced last week it was increasing the provincial sales tax by one per cent. Goertzen says people are upset at both the increase and the fact the government is amending a law to scrap the need for a referendum before the rate can be put higher.

"They're obviously disappointed that the government is increasing the PST because they think there are already enough taxes going to the NDP Government and it's a spending problem, it's not a revenue problem. The second issue is that they think it is undemocratic to do away with legislation that requires the referendum, which is effectively ignoring the law, because average citizens cannot do that. They can't simply ignore the law when there's a speeding ticket, they can't ignore the law when they get a fine for something."

Goertzen says the PST increase has become a real flash point for voters and adds it is exposing the NDP Government for what it is which is heavy on spending with no regard for the increasing deficit. He adds Bill 20, which will cancel the requirement for a referendum, is in for a rough ride.

"There's already a lot of pushback against that Bill. 70 people have signed up just in the last couple of days to make presentations on that Bill at Public Hearings so it's going to be a focal point for sure. It's going to dominate a good part of the Session because I think people realize that the government has enough money and should be looking internally for savings, not asking people to pay more. We are already one of the highest taxed provinces in Canada."