Information Regarding HST

What is HST?

HST stands for "Harmonized Sales Tax." The HST combines the GST tax and Sales tax into one harmonizes tax of 12%. The BC Provincial Government implemented this new tax in July 2010.

How does this apply to camps and retreats at Qwanoes?

Any good or service that charged the GST tax must now be charged the full HST tax. Yes, we agree with you...this is not fair for camps! Since 2007, Qwanoes was required to charge GST so now Qwanoes will have to charge the HST (even though we never had to charge PST).

According to the current guidelines introduced by the BC Provincial Government, HST APPLIES ON THE FULL CAMP FEE for events that occur from July 1, 2010 onward.

Is there anything that I can do to help?

If you feel that charitable camps should not have to charge HST, please contact the local office of your Member of the Legislative Assembly http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm. Or, contact Kevin Falcon, the Minister of Finance at colin.hansen.mla@leg.bc.ca.

We empathize with the parents, grand-parents, and friends of our campers who now have to pay HST on each camper's fee.

Good news for the future!

The BC Government will remove the HST tax in 2013. When that happens, there will just be the 5% GST tax instead of the current 12% HST. Hurray!