Manitoba Chambers of Commerce call on province to hold referendum on PST

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Published on Monday, May 6, 2013

myWestman.ca

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce unanimously passed a resolution at its annual general meeting over the weekend, calling on the provincial government to respect the current Balanced Budget Legislation and ensure a referendum occurs before increasing the Provincial Sales Tax to eight per cent.

"Chambers across the province are clearly concerned with not only the government's decision to increase the PST but also the manner in which they are trying to accomplish it", said Chuck Davidson, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce President and CEO in a release. "Chambers are also concerned there is no clear way to address the municipal infrastructure deficit and makes Manitoba's uncompetitive tax framework even more unattractive."

In addition to the resolution on the PST increase, chambers also passed resolutions calling on the province to move forward with flood proofing of Highway 75, creation of a plan to clean up Lake Winnipeg as well as the need for a Northern Manitoba economic development strategy.

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, established in 1931, is the umbrella organization for Manitoba's chamber movement. With a membership comprised of local chambers of commerce as well as direct corporate members, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is Manitoba's largest and most diverse business lobby, representing over 10,000 businesses and community leaders.

With files from Manitoba Chambers of Commerce news release