Wilkinson says Liberals would cut PST for a year

B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson says he would eliminate the provincial sales tax for a year if the party wins next month's election.

He says PST would return at three per cent in the second year, down from the usual seven per cent on most goods and services. Wilkinson says cutting the tax would help stimulate the province's economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a campaign event in Richmond, Wilkinson acknowledged that cutting the tax would cost almost $7 billion in the first year, but he says now is not the time to worry about the details of recouping that loss.

He adds that the tax cut would benefit people with lower incomes the most because they spend a higher proportion to cover the sales tax.

NDP Leader John Horgan says he hasn't seen an assessment of the impact of the Liberals' proposed tax cut on the province's revenues, but he hopes Wilkinson will tell voters what services wouldn't be provided as a result.

Wilkinson said Monday any suggestions that a Liberal government would cut health and education services are wrong and he's committed to providing those services in a time of need.

Speaking at a campaign event in Victoria, Horgan said the NDP government implemented tax deferrals and breaks at the start of the pandemic, and there will be more details in the party's forthcoming platform next week.