The 18 organizations, representing everything from mining to real estate, forestry, construction and retail have banded together to demand the B.C. government halt plans to expand the Provincial Sales Tax to services like security, accounting and engineering. But Premier David Eby says his government needs the money. The organizations say their members will be harmed by government’s decision to expand the PST to professional services. The move, contained in last week’s budget, will generate almost $500 million in revenue for the province by expanding the seven per cent PST to services… The joint event included the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, B.C. Real Estate Association, Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, B.C. Council of Forest Industries, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association and Urban Development Institute, amongst others. …Eby said he would work with the business community to try and address concerns. But business leaders said nothing short of scrapping the tax hike is acceptable.

• Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Press Release: PST tax hike threatens competitiveness, safety, and affordability
• Business Council of BC Press Release: PST tax hike threatens competitiveness, safety, and affordability