Premier David Eby rejected calls for reforming the Employer Health Tax following the release of a report that raised questions about the costs of doing business in British Columbia.

But Eby acknowledged that some sectors are struggling, he added that the government is working with them.

B次元官网网址�(Healthcare) is paid for with taxes. This is not a time when we are looking at reducing funding to healthcare. This is a time when our health care system needs that continued support from British Columbians, including B.C. businesses.B次元官网网址�

The tax replaced the B次元官网网址渦nfairB次元官网网址� Medical Services Premium, B次元官网网址渨hich increased regularly and penalized regular people,B次元官网网址� he said. Some sectors are struggling, but the B次元官网网址減rovince is doing very well economically,B次元官网网址� with exports up 20 per cent this year.

Eby made the comments May 26 in Nanaimo, where he was announcing a cancer care centre.

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But some sectors, such as the forestry sector and parts of the tourism-hospitality industry, are struggling.

B次元官网网址淲e are going to take the actions that are necessary to support those sectors to make sure that they are not alone in this struggle,B次元官网网址� Eby said. B次元官网网址淭he province is working with them to ensure that we are supporting the workers and the businesses in these sectors.B次元官网网址�

BC Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau repeated calls for reforms to the health tax following the release of a report from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

B次元官网网址�Counting the Costs: Assessing Economic Challenges for Businesses in British ColumbiaB次元官网网址� argues that businesses will have shouldered an additional $6.5 billion in direct costs between 2022 and 2024 because of various governmental policies, including the introduction of the tax in 2019.

The report says that the tax paid by employers based on the wages of their employees accounts for almost 62 per cent of the additional costs in calling for a higher threshold. Employers with payrolls above $500,000 must pay the tax and the board would like to see government raise the threshold.

This demand echoes earlier calls from the BC Chamber of Commerce B次元官网网址� which called on government to raise the threshold to $1.5 million B次元官网网址� and Furstenau doubled down on it after the release of the boardB次元官网网址檚 report.

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By raising the tax exemption to $1.5 million, B.C. can offer what much-needed financial to small and medium-sized businesses that would allow them to save thousands of dollars yearly, Furstenau said.

B次元官网网址淚n an era where every penny counts, this relief can make a substantial difference in the ability for businesses to not only survive but also thrive,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪mall- and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy, contributing to the vibrancy and resilience of our communities. It is the governmentB次元官网网址檚 responsibility to create a supportive environment for their success, equipping them with the tools and conditions to navigate these challenging times.B次元官网网址�

Other concerns raised by the board of trade include hikes in the minimum wage, an increase in the tax rate for top earners and a new statutory provincial holiday on Sept. 30 to mark Reconciliation with First Nations.

wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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