With only three days to go until the HST hits B.C., Finance Minister Colin Hansen is making a last-ditch effort to sell the new tax to a skeptical public.
At a press conference Monday, he admitted that people will be paying more for things like gym memberships, non-prescription drugs, vitamins, haircuts and restaurant meals.
"We acknowledge the fact that there are some things that families are going to be paying more for - 20 per cent of goods and services," Hansen said.
But he also tried to assure British Columbians that the harmonized sales tax isn't all bad news.
"This is a measure that will stimulate job creation in British Columbia. We expect over the next 10 years a net increase of 113,000 jobs in B.C."
On Wednesday, the anti-HST petition will head to Victoria, with signatures from at least 15 per cent of voters in every single riding across the province. Organizers estimate that 700,000 people will have signed the petition by then.
But even if consumers are unhappy, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce isn't worried about the new tax.
In fact, the group says the HST will shift nearly $2 billion in taxes from businesses to consumers.
"This is about increasing economic activity in British Columbia, better jobs for British Columbians, more jobs for British Columbians, and creating a stronger tax base," chamber president John Winter said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jim Beatty
