Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Bad weather forces cancellation of Bill Tieleman speech in Courtenay Wednesday night for Fight HST Recall campaign to remove BC Liberal MLA Don McRae

Bill Tieleman speaks at Fight HST rally in Vancouver, Sept 19, 2009
Unfortunately the high winds and stormy weather that stopped all BC Ferries trips to and from Vancouver Island for much of the day also forced the cancellation of my planned speech in the Comox Valley tonight.

I am very sorry to all the organizers who put the event together and hope to reschedule if possible.

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I am pleased to tell you that I will be speaking on behalf of the Fight HST Recall campaign against BC Liberal MLA Don McRae in Courtenay on Wednesday March 2 at 7 p.m. at the Native Sons Hall.

Here is the news release from Comox Valley Recall - hope to see you there - even if you disagree or just want to know more about the Harmonized Sales Tax.

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Fight HST Strategist and Political Commentator Bill Tieleman to Speak on Recall Campaign in the Comox Valley

Bill Tieleman, Fight HST strategist and political columnist with 24 Hours Vancouver newspaper and The Tyee Online will speak on the politics and economics of the Harmonized Sales Tax at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, at the Lower Native Sons Hall in Courtenay

Tieleman, together with former Social Credit Premier Bill Vander Zalm and former Unity Party leader Chris Delaney are the originators of “Fight HST”, the grassroots group that launched the first-ever successful citizens’ initiative in Canada.

They represent the wide diversity of people who have come together to fight the HST and support recall campaigns. Tieleman was Communications Director to Premier Glen Clark in his successful upset victory in 1996 and a former BC NDP executive member.

When former NDP cabinet minister Paul Ramsey and former Premier Dan Miller denounced the idea of “recall”, Tieleman broke ranks to speak out on the importance of recall in demanding accountability in government.

When it comes to the economic and social impact of the HST, Tieleman doesn’t pull any punches. “I need to be as alarmist as possible,” he says on his website. “The Harmonized Sales Tax is the biggest wealth transfer through taxation that we have ever seen, with big business shifting $1.9 billion of corporate taxes onto individuals!”

“The big business community loves the HST,” Tieleman tells his readers, “And no wonder. Large companies no longer pay 7 % PST on the purchase of goods and services and instead get "input tax credits."

 Most big B.C. businesses like Rio Tinto, Alcan and Canfor don't produce any goods and services for B.C. consumers so they can't pass on any "savings". British Columbians now have to pay that $1.9 billion HST cost every year -- simply to subsidize Alcan selling aluminum to China! The only possible price reduction for most of us will be, maybe, 7 % less on a roll of aluminum foil.”

Tieleman posts research on his blog to explain the deception in B.C. Liberal HST messages during the 2009 provincial election and is widely known for his coverage of the B.C. Rail or “Basi-Virk” scandal.

In the Tyee, Tieleman chided politicians on all sides for their contempt for accountablilty and ironically left the last word to recall opponent Paul Ramsey, who is quoted as saying: "The campaigns have proven to be more effective at getting the government's attention than other forms of political protest…One thing is clear: the recall campaigns have forced the government to pay far more attention to the local effects of provincial policies.”

According to Kathryn Askew, local recall proponent, who has invited Tieleman to speak at the March 2 Town Hall, Tieleman is delighted to take any questions from anyone of any stripe. She encourages people who have been unsure about signing the recall petition to come and hear this dynamic speaker.

For more information go to http://www.comoxvalleyrecall.ca/ or 250-334-7891

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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not going to happen. Save your energy for the Referendum.

We've heard all of this before in Oak Bay.

Adrian B. said...

Good stuff.

Nobody serious can deny that the pressure from recall has succeeded in moving the date of a binding referendum up. The Initiative was great, but the real leverage has always ultimately been in recall. Heck, there would be no binding referendum at all, and Campbell would still be in office, if Fight HST hadn't had recall in the works all this time. And serious people follow through when they make threats.

Actually recalling McRae would be nice, but it's more of a secondary goal here in my opinion. To disagree would mean one is arguing that the real reason Fight HST formed
was to stop Don McRae's perfidious reign of terror over the province, and that's just ridiculous. What will make recall a success or not is if the added pressure materially helps lead to the successful repeal of the HST, and I think it will.

Anonymous said...

to ano@1:48 why would you think 1- it won't happen and 2-NEVER under estimate the POWER OF THE PEOPLE?I personally beleave the PEOPLE OF BC have had enough BS from ALL politicians and have lots of energy to carry on the FIGHT.I think ERIC FOSTER would be very easy to recall?

Anonymous said...

"to ano@1:48 why would you think 1- it won't happen and 2-NEVER under estimate the POWER OF THE PEOPLE?I personally beleave the PEOPLE OF BC have had enough BS from ALL politicians and have lots of energy to carry on the FIGHT.I think ERIC FOSTER would be very easy to recall?"

One -- we've been through that in Oak Bay.

Two -- recalls have never been 100% successful in BC (the only time it came close was in Parksville, and Reitsma resigned before the recall was completed. That had to do with his own conduct, not against any government action).

Three - A referendum will be brought forward to the people.

Decide then.

Anonymous said...

to 8:14pm. Why underestimate the power of the people/

Dumb questions. It's obvious. Majority of the people DON'T CARE. I don't know anyone that votes or cares about politics. Those who follow politics are as useless as water to a drowning man.

Anonymous said...

"to 8:14pm. Why underestimate the power of the people/"

The so-called "power of the people" does not nessesarily mean
following Bill Tieleman nor the anti-HST movement.

"Dumb questions. It's obvious. Majority of the people DON'T CARE. I don't know anyone that votes or cares about politics."

Yes you do. Me. I've voted in every single election since 1978.

Also have helped in many campaigns,
and in political parties.

" Those who follow politics are as useless as water to a drowning man."

Speak for yourself. I know many smart people (both NDP and otherwise) and get involved. What's your excuse?

Anonymous said...

I too will never vote. pay me and maybe I'll waste a vote.

Anonymous said...

"I too will never vote. pay me and maybe I'll waste a vote."

If you don't vote, then don't bitch and complain about the result.

Too often people complain (many while squishing their butt cheeks in the chair writing to blogs), and don't get out to vote or better, volunteer (not get paid, volunteer!) to help get a good person elected.

Anonymous said...

I've never voted and don't complain except when it comes to old people. Resources suckers. 50% of the people don't vote. Love it. Most people have better things to do than worry about politics. Why vote for criminals aka politicians? It's a complete waste of time

Anonymous said...

How do you know those who don't vote, will complain? More like they don't care

Anonymous said...

FAILED AGAIN. What excuses will Tieleman, Delaney and vanderscam will come up with next? I guess we know who should be voted of the Survivor Island now. Bye bye. The tribe has spoken.