Premier Tim Houston spoke with Jeff Douglas of CBC Mainstreet about removing the bridge tolls and reducing the HST as a means for the NS Government to leave money in people’s pockets.
Some of the people who cross the bridges with Halifax Transit see no benefit by removal of the toll. Many people who bring their cars across the bridges can afford to pay for the infrastructure that benefits them when crossing the harbour.
The HST reduction leaves more money in the pockets of people who can afford to buy expensive goods and provides a little relief for those who cannot buy expensive items.
As a 40 year retired resident of suburban HRM who travelled to work in Dartmouth and Halifax on the bus, and who, now, often chooses Halifax Transit to avoid street congestion and parking difficulties along the harbour, I can testify to the benefit to students of a bus pass. If the students or their financial supporters are denied help with the cost of transit, money will be removed from the pockets of another group that often has very little disposable income.
The hardship that the Premier is concerned about is likely to increase for young people and low income residents and be even more unlikely to over-tax the residents who may not notice the 1% HST reduction.
