HST Rejected
By Max Miller, Grade 12
So much has happened since Gordon Campbell’s government introduced the Harmonized Sales Tax to British Columbian citizens, that it’s hard to believe it’s been scarce more than a year since. The HST raised taxes on everything from groceries to haircuts to 12%. It was introduced shortly after the Liberals, led by Gordon Campbell, were re-elected on the platform that they would not raise taxes this way. Because of this decision, Campbell became one of the least popular politicians in Canada, and he stepped down from office in March 2011.
You Know What Grinds My Gears?
By: Jenny Ho, Grade 11
You know what grinds my gears? Budget cuts.
I’m sure everyone has heard that the Vancouver School Board (VSB) is facing a $18.12 million deficit, in the upcoming
2010-2011 school year. This is certainly not the first time that the VSB has faced drastic cuts, but certainly the costliest.
So you may wonder:, how does this affect students? For starters, you might not see your favourite English teacher next school year, or the young math teacher. In the Vancouver district alone, teaching staff will be reduced by 113.8 full-time equivalents. About eight hundred staff members have received warning letters about potential layoffs. Sixteen teachers at Windermere alone received his much dreaded letter (Teachers with less than five years of teaching experience received this letter). On May 5th, teachers will find out what will happen to their jobs.
With fewer teaching staff next year, this means there will be larger class sizes. Less variety of courses will be offered to students, as there will be fewer people to teach them. Night, adult, and summer schools will have fewer classes offered. Mini schools, art and music programs, ESL, special education, among other programs, will be greatly affected.
