Books and periodicals were not taxed (in BC) until the GST came in. This is not about complex funding agreements for education. It’s about creating an exemption for the GST on books, etc, which are arguably instruments of learning (and democracy) no matter what age they’re aimed at. According to deloitte.com, “there will be point of sale rebates of the provincial portion of HST on motor fuels, books, children-sized clothing and footwear, children’s car seats and car booster seats, diapers and feminine hygiene products” — so books will continue to be taxed at 5% (current GST) instead of 12% (HST).

The HST may have been a federal initiative, but we wouldn’t be having this discussion if Mulroney’s conservatives hadn’t brought in the GST in 1991. I don’t recall writing that I expect an army of protesters; I wrote that the Conservatives claiming on their website that reducing the GST from 7% to 5% is something they’ve done for families is nonsense, given that they’re pushing the HST across the country which will, in some cases (housing, as you’ve pointed out) add an additional tax burden to families.

I don’t object to paying taxes — no matter whether they’re called municipal, federal or provincial taxes, in the final analysis, they’re what make it possible for anyone in this country to educate their children, get medical attention, drive on roads, and so on. What I object to is a tax that hits everyone by a percentage of the cost of the product rather than a percentage based on income. The people hardest hit by these kinds of taxes are the people who don’t have the luxury of even thinking about buying homes.

I can agree with you that HST is rather evil. Especially for homeowners. It is not going anywhere and will eventually be nationwide. There is not a single party that seriously opposes it – well the NDP want to but they are only 16% of the electorate. Notice how the Liberals have been hush hush on it. That is because it was their initiative. HST has been a reality on the East Coast for sometime now and is seems as both a cash grab and a way to reduce administration fees. Still Canadian, it would seem by their lack of collective action don’t mind paying extra money for a home in the middle of recession because there have not been floods and floods of protest. There have been a few, I don’t deny Bill Vanderzam making a good go at it, but truthfully I don’t think Canadians ca even be bothered to understand taxes and tax law so do you really expect an army of highly paid accountants who can write of HST easier than they did the two taxes, and benefit from HST making their job easier, to make a collective stand against this on behalf of Canadians. I said screw this country a long time ago which I why my Corp. is registered in Hong Kong and I only pay 12% tax period.