British Columbia Federation of Labour

A survey conducted by Environics Research Group Ltd. in Premier Gordon Campbell’s own riding shows the struggling Premier would be recalled today based on growing opposition to the decision of bringing in the controversial HST.  The telephone poll, conducted for the B.C. Federation of Labour, also showed the majority of those surveyed would support modest tax increases if they were used to improve public services such as healthcare, post-secondary and deal with homelessness. 

A total of 42 percent said they would sign a petition recalling the Premier, including one-quarter of those who cast a vote for the BC Liberals in the last election.  An overwhelming number (79 percent) believed the Premier should have told British Columbians that his government was going to introduce the tax prior to the election.  When told that the tax collected from consumers through the HST would all go to corporations instead of being used to pay for better government programs, 64 percent (including 59 percent of BC Liberal voters) said they were now even more opposed to the HST. 

“The poll shows clearly that the decision of the BC Liberals to bring in the HST has clearly eroded their support in the Premier’s own riding to the point where it is questionable whether he could win his seat again if the election were held today,” said Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour.  “The Premier’s supporters are not different from the rest of the province -- they oppose the tax and believe the Premier is wrong to introduce it.” 

On the critical issue of whether or not British Columbians would support modest tax increases in order to pay for needed government services -- the poll found a large majority (78 percent) would support an increase.  This finding crossed all political lines, with 74 percent of Liberals also coming out in support of the proposition that taxes should be increased to support public services. 

“Not only is Campbell wrong about the HST -- he is dead wrong that British Columbians want him to cut health and education services and strangle money for school and sports programs,” said Sinclair.  “If anything they are willing to pay more taxes to ensure that critical services are maintained during difficult economic times. 

Despite a large deficit and daily cuts to programs, the last Liberal budget included both income and corporate tax cuts.

 The poll was conducted in Vancouver-Point Grey by Environics Research Group Ltd., 400 eligible voters were interviewed during the period: August 24- 27, 2009 and the margin of error is +/-4.90 percent at 95 percent. 

For more information please click on the link below:

1. Presentation of Poll                       

2. Complete Poll Survey and Results                       

 For more information: Summer McFadyen, Director (604) 430-1421 or 604-728-7744.