I'm sure there are some businesses that have been affected by the HST. However the majority of businesses have seen the positive effects of the HST. Under PST the vast majority of BC businesses were being hurt.
Tax policies always effect some more than others... So, do you implement tax policy that helps the majority, or do you do it to help the minority?
In general the restaurant industry is pleased with the HST as indicated below. I am sure along with the HST, the higher minimum wage and the tougher drinking laws have affected the restaurant industry.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Several sectors in the tourism industry have rallied in support of the HST, and it appears any doubts about the new tax regime that may have existed months ago have disappeared.
A couple of years ago, there were predictions the HST would have a devastating impact on tourism. Now, Steven Regan, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of BC, says they never asked for the tax to be scrapped.
"The impacts have been positive in some cases, they've been challenging in others. We came to the conclusion when the Minister of Finance announced the two per cent reduction for consumers, that that was the tipping point."
Mark Reid with Ceili's Restaurant and Pub in Vancouver says the restaurant industry has seen some challenges lately, like the increased minimum wage and higher liquor costs, but "if we were to go back to the old way of taxing with the twelve per cent, we lose our margins, and it's people's jobs and expansion for our company that would be compromised."