CANADA – The campaign against a new government tax coming in the province of British Columbia this July is heating up.

The Harmonized Sales Tax or the HST is predicted to affect small businesses, including some Filipino restaurants.

But while many are worried about the new tax, Pinoys in BC have yet to actively participate in the campaign against it.

The new tax is said to replace the provincial sales tax by July but this early, small business owners like Rose Samaniego is already worried.

Samaniego, owner of Kulinarya, said the new tax is set to increase the price of restaurant meals by at least 7%, something that is expected to bring consumer spending down, and something business owners like her don’t need this time of recession.

“We're hoping na hindi matuloy or something else that is not this harsh...additional 7% is really going to hurt us,” Samaniego said.

Kulinarya supports the online petition NoMealTax.ca and calls on others to help push for HST exemption on restaurant meals.

Filipino-Canadian Laarni Delos Reyes says Pinoys should actively campaign against HST.

Delos Reyes was the only Pinoy in the recent town hall meeting against the new tax. She was also part of the rally to raise awareness against the HST.

“Filipinos will definitely feel the impact of the HST when they go to restaurant to buy meal or when they go to movie theaters or if they buy a bike for their kid or buy magazines or buying school supplies. I’m hoping that more Filipinos will become aware how the HST will impact them and will join the events," Delos Reyes said.

Opposition leader Carole James says people from every visible minority have already added their voices against the HST.

"Many of our immigrants who came to the British Columbia are the entrepreneurs of our province. They're the small business owners. They are the people who are working 1 and 2 jobs to give opportunities to their children. They've contributed hugely to British Columbia. They're giving to our economy as immigrants and now the government's going to hurt them hard through the HST,” James said. Balitang America