Raising the H-S-T is the focus of opposition attacks in the Legislature. Interim Provincial Conservative leader Bruce Fitch wonders how, on one hand, the Gallant Government can talk about job creation while on the other hand, increase the tax on consumption. Fitch quotes the Liberal Premier of Newfoundland as saying raising the H-S-T is a job killer.
Provincial Finance Minister Roger Melanson says he finds the criticism from the Conservatives to be ironic because when they were in power, they had no job growth and the provincial economy actually contracted one year.
Melanson claims the Liberals have a plan for job creation but he did not address whether raising the H-S-T would stunt job growth.
