If the HST will be tough to kill, what will the NDP say?

The Georgia Straight published an article today in which they quoted the NDP finance critic as saying “We fought the tax as hard as anyone,” he said. “But now that it is implemented, to find a way out is going to involve negotiations.” http://www.straight.com/article-340002/vancouver/ndp-admits-it-will-be-t....

This statement made me wonder what suggestions the four NDP members of the legislative committee that is mandated to deal with the successful petition will make to that committee and how the NDP caucus will approach the question if it comes to a debate in the Legislature.

If the finance critic says the tax can’t be undone, will the MLAs use this time to simply chastise the governing Liberals or will they use the time to support the petition which essentially says the tax will be undone and the people of BC compensated for the period from the tax implementation until it is rescinded. Or, will they focus on getting more exemptions so the tax is fairer to consumers.

I think their primary motivation will be to keep the HST front and centre for as long as possible so they can continue to ride the popularity that their anti HST stance has brought. Continuing to equate the hated tax with the BC Liberals is likely to keep their support high. And there are lots of things about this tax to chastise the BC Liberals about.

But, if, as the finance critic believes, the tax is here to stay and it would take some time to disengage from the tax if the NDP is to form government in 2013, at what point will the NDP let people know that the deal is done and nothing that happens as a result of the petition can undo it, at least for the initial contract period with the federal government? And, at what point will the NDP let the people of BC know what their strategy toward this and other taxes will be.

Even though it will be difficult and would take negotiations, will the NDP commit to entering into those negotiations with the federal government and going back to the previous system? Or, will they be like the federal Liberals when the hated GST came in and renege on their promise to cancel the tax?

Will the decision related to the tax be evidence based? After the initial five year contractual period (July 1, 2015), there should be measurable evidence as to whether the promised benefits to industry and to job creation have emerged. Colin Hansen has claimed the HST will lead to 10s of thousands of new jobs. I think most of us think he is blowing smoke but if that does, in fact happen, would a new government revert back to the two tax structure and if so, how would those benefits be maintained. If, on the other hand it is evident that HST has not been a net benefit that should dictate a change.

It will be an interesting fall. I think it will continue to be dominated by the HST debate even though, as the NDP know, the debate is over. That’s unfortunate because while we spend our time, energy and anger on this subject, discussion on the major imperative of our (and our children’s) time has stopped.

If we want public policy based in evidence and scientific research, then we should be piling all of our resources and public policy into dealing with climate change. Given that we have had the second hottest July and the hottest June on record, we might have paused to reflect on where the priorities for public policy should be focused.

I know that won't happen. We are increasingly faced with the prospect that a undeniable ecological catastrophe will be needed for to overcome government denial and inertia.