Letter and Email Template to Your Federal and Provincial Government Representatives To

LETTER AND EMAIL TEMPLATE TO YOUR FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES TO COMMUNICATE YOUR VIEWS ABOUT HARMONIZED SALES TAX

Dear <MLA or MP name>,

RE: HARMONIZED SALES TAX – A NEW TAX ON SAVINGS

I am writing to you to raise concerns about the British Columbia government’s new harmonized sales tax that will be applied to savings.

I have been running a financial advisory business in your riding for over <XX> years, serving more than <XX> households in our community. My business not only contributes directly to the economy but also helps local residents plan for and achieve their financial goals.

I’m very concerned about the HST because it is essentially a new tax on savings. The combined 12% tax will directly impact the savings of people who own investment funds. The proposed HST in Ontario and B.C. will cost B.C. residents tens of millions of dollars every year in extra taxes that otherwise could be put into their retirement savings.

Even small investors will pay thousands of dollars in extra taxes over a period of 20 years or more. Because the HST is being applied to the cost of managing the mutual fund, investors will have to pay it each and every year. What’s ironic is that the more people save, the more tax they will pay!

I find it difficult to understand why this tax is being introduced when there is growing recognition that most Canadians will retire with inadequate incomes. With government looking to deal with this very serious issue, it makes no sense to be raising taxes for people who have taken the initiative to provide for their future. As a financial advisor, I know how hard it is for the average family to save, and they should not be penalized for it.

(Use this paragraph for B.C. MLA)

I realize that the harmonized tax is meant to make British Columbia businesses more efficient and competitive. However, it will have a significant impact on savers in our province. Other provinces that have adopted the HST, and other countries with a similar tax, have exempted investment funds. I urge you to discuss this issue with Premier Campbell and to support a fair solution.

(Use this paragraph for federal MP)

The GST should never have been applied to investment funds and the HST will significantly expand its harmful impact. I urge you to discuss this issue with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and to support a fair solution.

Thank you for your attention to this issue. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

How to find your Federal Representative:

Find the contact information of your federal MP by entering your postal code in the search tool on Elections Canada’s website:

http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/FindED.aspx?PC=&image.x=11&image.y=4

How to find your MLA in B.C.:

http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm