Ways You Can Still Fight the HST

Yesterday I posted ten ways you can minimize and avoid paying the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario.  The fight regarding the HST in both Ontario and British Columbia is far from over.  Just last week it was announced that the anti-HST movement were delivered petitions in British Columbia last week.  This week a resident of Chatham-Kent, ON had signs on his car stating that HST was Human Slavery Tax.  So people are still voicing their opinions and making their voices heard.  Here are a few ways to protest the HST:

1. Quit or greatly reduce shopping and each time that you do make sure the stores know why you aren't shopping.  The stores have a bit more political clout than individual citizens so perhaps if a larger company like Wal-mart threatened to pull out of Ontario because of the HST the government would start listening.
2. Reduce services like cable, satellite television, internet and cell phone to the lowest possible that gets you what you want.  Be sure to tell them that because of the HST you have to find another way to cut 8% from the bill so that has to come from their services.
3. Eliminate some activities and services.  It is cheaper for you to add a light movie package onto your cable or satellite service than it is to go to the movies that will cost you HST on ticket price, HST on gas used to get to the theatre, and of course the necessary snacks.  Cheaper than adding a movie package is borrowing movies from the library or creating a movie exchange between friends and family.  What many Canadians are doing is turning television services off completely and turning to the internet where they can get television shows online for free (other than their monthly internet bill).  Movies can be downloaded as well quite often cheaper than renting them at a video rental store.
4. Growing your own food is a very frugal choice and while HST is not applied to basic foods the gas to get to the store does HST applied.  A trip into town that previously cost you $10 in gas is now going to cost you $10.80 so less driving is in order.  Make sure your local grocery store knows why you are choosing to grow your own and the gas stations why you aren't buying as much gas.
5. Post your property with a Say No to HST or Fight the HST sign.
6. Sign any petitions and get involved with any anti-HST rallies or protests.  The more voices heard on this level the better.
7. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and those in your area.  They will be especially interested to read how the HST is affecting your daily standard of living.
8. Write your MPP and MP voicing your displeasure over the HST and how it is adversely affecting your daily life.
9. Be vocal!  If you have a blog, blog about it.  If you are on Twitter, tweet about it.  Use any avenue you can to get the word out about your displeasure over the HST and the impact that extra 8% is having on your life.

Garden Gnome
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