British Columbians aren’t sold on a second round of tax cuts, according to a poll conducted for the Hospital Employees’ Union.
In fact, 53 per cent of those surveyed in the McIntyre & Mustel poll agree that in order to preserve health care, education and other public services, the B.C. government should postpone further tax cuts. Only 39 per cent say that further tax cuts are needed to stimulate the economy.
HEU released the polling results on the same day that the finance minister appealed to business leaders and corporate shareholders to support his government’s plans to implement further tax cuts on January 1.
“It’s time for the Campbell Liberals to give themselves a fiscal reality check,” says HEU secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt. “Their tax cuts haven’t resulted in increased revenue and people are concerned about public services like health care.”
“The world has changed and British Columbian won’t fault the government for changing its mind about implementing further tax cuts.”
The question was conducted as part of a broader McIntyre & Mustel omnibus telephone survey of 504 adult British Columbians Oct. 11-17. The results are considered accurate to within 4.4 per cent, 95 per cent of the time.
The question:
The B.C. government is considering providing further tax cuts.
Which view is closer to your own. (504 respondents in total)
In order to preserve health care, education and other public services, the B.C. government should postpone further tax cuts (52.7% or 266 respondents)
Further tax cuts are needed to stimulate the economy (38.5% or 194 respondents)
Don't know/refused (8.7% or 44 respondents)
-30-