Readers grind axes over taxes

Re: Taxes make it harder for us to compete, Editorial, March 8

I agree with the premise that B. C. has become a high tax jurisdiction. However the editorial’s summary ( property, sales, fuel and carbon taxes and medical service premiums) is incomplete. The government’s practice of exacting high “dividends” from commercial Crown corporations such as BC Hydro and ICBC is hidden taxation. Add the mugging of our “sinners” ( by liquor stores, the B. C. Lottery Corp., etc.) and you have a new investment taxation rate far in excess of the 27.5 per cent quoted.

However, this is unlikely to change until we suffer an economic calamity. The urban populace of this province ( I’m a son of Saskatchewan) is complacent and devoted to Crown monopolies. And I say urban deliberately — the residents of our Interior and North are far more economically literate than the average city dweller. FRANCIS PATRICK JORDAN White Rock

It seems The Sun wishes B. C. taxes could be as low as Alberta’s. Alberta, despite being a petro- province, has been running deficits. Even with their oil they are creating a legacy of debt. Alberta has a very low corporate tax and a flat tax, each a huge gift to the wealthy. ( By the way, B. C. already collects more revenue from its regressive tax, the medical services premium, than it does from our supposedly too high corporate taxes.)

Why keep surrendering to the divide and conquer strategy of global capital? Rather than compete with Alberta to see who can lower taxes the fastest, our provinces should work together to strengthen each of their bargaining positions with investors. This seems a better road to achieving prosperity for everybody. CHRIS ANDREWS Vancouver