Wednesday’s Observer headline story states that 55 per cent of B.C. residents voted to reject the HST. I do not believe this is correct.
My understanding from what has been released by the government is that only 52 per cent of eligible voters voted, of which 55 per cent voted against the HST. If I am correct, this would mean that only approximately 28 per cent of BC residents voted against the tax and not the 55 per cent as you stated. And if it is only 28 per cent, that is hardly a landslide or really representative but it is how our democracy works.
All the media reports are about the massive 54 per cent and I have not read any that state the statistic of what it really is and the voter apathy.
It is also sad that the only comment from business that you printed was a very uniformed opinion of a local food place. Unfortunately, she is only thinking of her own business and has played on the emotions of the public. Too many people have based their HST vote on restaurant bills alone.
Graeme Dell