Comox Valley record: Cyclists opposing proposed tax
Members of the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition oppose the Harmonized Sales Tax because it would add a seven-per-cent tax on bicycle purchases and cycling equipment.
Published: March 11, 2010 6:00 PM
The provincial government is backpedalling on its commitment to clean air and healthy living by slapping the proposed HST on bicycles.
So says the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition, which is circulating a petition asking the government reverse the current plan to impose a new seven-per-cent tax on bicycles and bicycle equipment.
“About 25 years ago our provincial government thought that it was a good idea to exempt bicycles from the Provincial Sales Tax to encourage more people to use bicycles,” said cycling coalition spokesman Ed Schum. “Now that we know – or should know – more about the benefits of cycling for the health of our population and our environment, our government seems to think that it is a good idea to add this tax back onto the purchase of bicycles.
“This would definitely discourage people from using this healthy and clean mode of transportation,” Schum said.
“We feel that this is a terribly bad move and have collected several hundred signatures we will present to our MLA Don McRae at the end of a rally on Monday, March 15 at 11 a.m.,” Schum added. “We expect a fair number of cyclists to come out and ride their bikes from Simms Park to Mr. McRae’s office where we will hand the signatures over to Mr. McRae and ask him to take the message to his government in Victoria that many people in the Comox Valley are strongly opposed to this move and for the government to reconsider it.”
The coalition is still collecting signatures for the petition and forms are available to be signed at all the local bike shops as well as at the start of the March 15 rally in Simms Millennium Park between 10 and 10:45 a.m.
— Comox Valley Cycling Coalition
