BC NDP

Community leaders join NDP to denounce impact of HST on facility rentals

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Liberals’ HST will drive up the costs to rent community centres, putting at risk the ability of families and seniors to afford activities in their communities, the New Democrats said today.

“After lying to British Columbians about the HST, the B.C. Liberals are now bringing in a tax that will drive up the cost of renting facilities for community sports and recreation groups. This is a huge blow that will create barriers for families and seniors who want to be active in their communities,” said Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant MLA Jenny Kwan.

Kwan noted that starting next July, the seven-per-cent HST will be charged for the rental of community centres and sports facilities. These increased costs come as the B.C. Liberal government cuts funding for community and sports groups.

“With the 2010 Olympics coming to Vancouver, why are we increasing the costs of minor hockey and figure skating?,” said Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Herbert.

Kwan and Herbert were joined by Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Loretta Woodcock, Burnaby City Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Joyce Jones from the Seniors Advocacy Network and representatives from recreational sports organizations including minor hockey and figure skating.

"The Vancouver Park Board was the first municipal jurisdiction to embrace the provincial government's ’20 per cent more by 2010’ to promote active living and increase wellness. The HST not only discourages low income people from participating in programs at our community centres, it also adds huge costs to sports groups such as hockey and figure skating clubs who book space at our ice rinks," said Woodcock.

“In Burnaby, our arena users are our major customers. The impact on them will be in the thousands of dollars – this will inevitably impact people who currently take part in sports like hockey, lacrosse and ringette,” said Dhaliwal.

“The cost of ice is the largest expense every minor hockey association in British Columbia faces each year. We estimate that if the HST was to be introduced, it would cost the Vancouver Thunderbirds Minor Hockey Association an additional $30,000 directly related to the purchase of ice for the youth in our community registered in our hockey program,” said Adam Hayduk, Executive Director of the Vancouver Thunderbirds Minor Hockey Association.

Carole James and the New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.