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B.C. pausing controversial PST expansion to professional services amidst trade uncertainty
The pause will keep exemptions in place for accounting, engineering and other services, saving people, local governments and businesses about $260 million next year.
The Province announced on Friday that it is pausing the planned expansion of the Provincial Sales Tax to professional services, originally set to take effect on Oct. 1.
Premier David Eby stated the move responds to economic uncertainty from the United States, providing businesses with "breathing room" as tariffs and trade disruptions mount.
Pausing the PST expansion will save businesses and local governments approximately $260 million while maintaining exemptions for accounting, engineering, architectural, and security services.
The decision follows an emergency motion Thursday from the Union of B.C. Municipalities urging delay; speculation of a snap election intensified after Eby hired Cheryl Oates as campaign manager.
Chris Gardner, CEO of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association , previously attacked the tax as a "hidden construction tax," while the government also pledged recently to build future ferries locally.