The Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia (CBABC), responding to the provincial budget released today, expressed disappointment that the discriminatory 7% tax on legal services has not been eliminated, despite continued calls for its removal from the CBABC, business and community groups. The tax is a financial barrier to individuals and businesses and a drag on B.C.'s competitiveness, yet the Government persists in collecting it.

"Individuals and businesses in B.C. are targeted to pay extra money to gain access to justice," said Ken Walton, CBABC President. "The legal system is a key pillar of a strong society and economy, and requires adequate public funding to work well, no less than the health and education sectors. In a province with high numbers of unrepresented litigants in courts, it offensive that this financial barrier continues to exist." Read more.

[posted February 19, 2008]