The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) warned that the Alberta Government may still be considering introducing a provincial sales tax (PST), and released new survey data about the negative impact the tax would have on small business.
“We believe there is still a distinct possibility the Alberta government will introduce a new provincial sales tax in their upcoming budget. It’s true the Premier has said it won’t happen. But he has to say that. If the government was indeed going to bring in a sales tax, they certainly wouldn’t telegraph it in advance”, remarked Richard Truscott, CFIB Vice President for Alberta and BC.
Business owners were asked in CFIB’s 2015 pre-budget survey: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding the introduction of a new provincial sales tax?
A new provincial sales tax would be harmful to my business
• 74 per cent agreed, 14 per cent disagreed, 12 per cent said don’t know
I trust government to spend the tax revenue wisely
• 9 per cent agreed, 84 per cent disagreed, 7 per cent said don’t know
Future governments would increase the rate to make up for budgetary shortfalls
• 69 per cent agreed, 13 per cent disagreed, 18 per cent said don’t know
Business owners were then asked: What impact would the introduction of a provincial sales tax have on your business?
• 79 per cent said there would be added administration time and cost
• 64 per cent indicated there would less investment back into the business
• 63 per cent pointed to negative impact on sales
• 32 per cent said a reduction in staffing (e.g. hours, number of employees)
• 9 per cent mentioned other
• 7 per cent stated they don’t know
• Only 5 per cent said no impact
Truscott went on to challenge Premier Prentice to strengthen his commitment not to bring in a PST. “The Premier should unequivocally state that he will resign as provincial leader if he breaks his own promise and a PST is unveiled on budget day. That simple statement would help calm the fears of many entrepreneurs that a sales tax is still under active consideration by the Alberta government.”