Businesses launch review of anti-HST petition

A group of businesses representing some of B.C.'s biggest industries has filed a judicial review of the anti-HST petition.

The challenge will require a judge to determine whether the draft bill is constitutionally valid and suitable for introduction to the legislature.

A statement released by the group says the vast majority of B.C. businesses support the HST because it will make them more competitive and encourage investment and job creation.

The HST will blend the five per cent Goods and Services Tax with the 7 per cent provincial sales tax.

Opponents to the HST, led by former B.C. premier Bill Vander Zalm, have argued consumers will pay more under the tax because it applies to a greater array of goods and services than the provincial sales tax does.

In April, Vander Zalm launched a Citizens Initiative petition to repeal the HST, or harmonized sales tax, which takes effect in B.C. on July 1.

The initiative is aimed at forcing the government to hold a referendum on the new tax.

Vander Zalm said in May the group had met its threshold of collecting the signatures of at least 10 per cent of the registered voters in each of the province's 85 riding.

Vander Zalm plans to deliver the nearly 700,000 signatures to Elections BC Wednesday, the day before the tax is to be implemented.

Elections BC has 42 days to count and verify the signatures to determine if the petition has been successful.

However, the coalition of businesses said if the bill is unconstitutional, it can't go ahead in the legislature no matter how many signatures the petition has.

The group demanding the judicial review includes the Council of Forest Industries, the Mining Association of B.C., the Coast Forest Products Association and the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.