Editor: Re: B.C. families have one of the lowest overall tax burdens, letter to the editor, March 5 I appreciate the finance minister's response to my comments on the budget.
As the minister points out, the decrease in the personal income tax exemption is a part of the return of the PST. What the minister did not address were my comments that the change comes at a time when the government is hitting British Columbians with rising hydro and ICBC rates, ferry fare hikes, and increased tuition rates and MSP premiums.
This year's budget predicts that a senior couple earning $30,000 of pension income, and a family of four earning the same, will pay more in provincial taxes this year. According to the government's documents, they'll be paying $152 and $284 more, respectively, primarily in sales and property taxes. If you have a higher income, then you can expect to pay more in MSP premiums.
It's true there are items in this year's budget that will help families, and I spoke to some of those measures in my previous comments. Nevertheless, the government and minister should be honest about how increased fees and taxes will affect everyone in B.C. Whether it's through taxes or rate increases, more of your money will be going to the province in 2014.
And as I said, for those of us on fixed income, it can be a difficult reality.
Vicki Huntington
MLA, Delta South
