CGA says 'stay the course' budget is good for province, small business

VICTORIA, March 2 /CNW/ - Finance Minister Colin Hansen has delivered a 'stay the course' budget that will help the province emerge from the global economic crisis, says John Pankratz, FCGA, the President of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (CGA-BC). "While there are no new major initiatives, this is a budget that is based on prudent financial management and sound economic principles that will benefit small- and medium-sized business. And that's good for British Columbia, which is good for you and me."

With pressures to increase spending and reduced revenues of more than $2 billion, the government has limited room to manoeuvre, says Pankratz. "Still, we see some positive benefits from the new International Financial Activity act (IFA) and tax credits for companies involved in clean energy development and digital publishing that will boost investment and help new innovative types of companies grow and prosper," he says.

The Minister clearly remains committed to reducing red tape, the costly regulations that hurt job creation. And he is staying the course on lower and more competitive corporate income taxes, which will see the elimination of the small business rate by 2012. This provides small business with the tools to create new jobs and greater opportunity for growth. Given the economic times and the potential risks to the recovery, that makes this a good budget, says Pankratz.

CGA also sees benefits from the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax. "While no tax is ever a good tax, the HST is a better tax than the current more complex PST/GST regime," said Pankratz. He said CGA-BC favours the HST because it is more fair, more visible, more straightforward to implement and administer, and more conducive to businesses looking to grow and create jobs. Moving to the HST also reduces B.C.'s marginal effective tax rate on investment from 26.4% to 15.7%, a reduction of some 40%.

"So, like Team Canada did last weekend we have to put ourselves where the puck is going to be, not where it was. We have to make B.C. a better place to invest and do business. We need to be more competitive and ready to embrace the future, and the HST is good for that," says Pankratz.

The Association also lauded the government for its commitment to returning to balanced budgets by 2013/14. While the province will run deficits totaling nearly $6 billion between 2009/10 and 2013/14, the debt to GDP ratio remains manageable. The province's debt remains low compared to other provinces across the country.

As the province's largest professional accounting association, CGA-BC represents more than 14,000 CGAs and CGA students. Members work in industry, commerce, government and in public practice. The Association promotes the excellence of its members and advances the accounting profession through education, certification and the protection of the public interest.

For further information: Edward Downing, Director of Communications, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]