Dear Editor,
Re: “Tipping on top of tax,” by Geordie McGillivray and “Is tipper just a cheapskate,” by John Baines, Richmond-News.com, Opinion.
I’m with letter writer Geordie McGillivray on this one.
On the $50 restaurant bill example, GST at 5% would be $2.50. With no tip, the total cost would be $52.50.
Without GST, a 15% tip on $50 would add $7.50 for a total of $57.50. With GST of $2.50 included, the 15% tip on $52.50 totals $7.88.
In this case, Mr. Trudeau’s government demands $0.38 from every consumer for unearned services on the $7.50 value of the tip from those who pay by credit card or debit card.
Consider the plight of the homeless person and those on fixed income to fund these government demands.
Don’t blame the servers for this debacle. Save yourself the $0.38 by paying the $7.50 tip portion with cash to the deserving service providers.
A single case isn’t much. Consider the millions of dollars collected each day by government from this arrangement. Consider the benefit of meal expense claims provided to some at the expense of others. Don’t reward government for unearned theft.
Our most recent Fortis gas bill identified the total cost of gas consumed between June 16 and July 15 to be $5.12.
The provincial carbon tax on this gas amount was $4.53. Fortis did not identify the actual 5% ($0.23) GST charge on the provincial carbon tax.
Don’t forget the BC clean energy levy of $0.11 for a total in government fees of $4.87 on the $5.12 gas. Government did not search for, drill, produce, store, transport or deliver any gas energy services. Government provided approval services only at consumer (taxpayer) expense.
Hang onto your wallets folks. Remember, “Don’t steal, the government doesn’t like competition.”
In Canada, the first duty of business is to provide free tax collection services for government.
Ken McLennan
Richmond
