There are so many perplexing actions being taken these days – mostly by governments – that it is getting almost impossible for a current-events freak to keep up. Still let’s try, right now, to sort out just one – the fact that the Schubert Seniors Centre in Vernon is forced to collect the federal government’s consumer tax (GST) from its members on every activity taking place on the premises and then send the money along to Ottawa. The tax covers membership dues, cafeteria services (that includes a popular mid-day meal), bingo, catering and extra dues to be a member of a snooker club, card-playing group and several other activities. The year’s revenue is meant to allow the Centre to maintain and improve its facilities.
Recently the Schubert learned that its pleas and protests during the past few years had been rejected by the Conservative government. The government’s local constituency office published a statement that failed to justify the government’s position. It blamed the taxing on the Schubert’s “commercial activities.” The statement seemed to be implying that the problem was that the Centre had been making a buck on its catering activities, but that doesn’t go far
enough. Schubert is a non-profit society registered as such by the Province of British Columbia. To say it’s involved in commercial activities suggests, by implication, that it is making a profit in the manner of a private company. The Schubert needs revenue to keep up its service to seniors but it doesn’t have shareholders or investors to pay off. The money stays in-house. The Schubert tries to keep up its services to seniors with four paid staffers, two part-time employees and about 175 volunteers who are vital to the operation.
It’s a gross contradiction to say otherwise – that’s my story. The government’s policy on this matter is impeding the Centre’s efforts to do a better job for retirees. You would think the government would appreciate that it’s own responsibility to seniors is being eased somewhat by activities of non-profit groups. I’m not writing here as a Schubert “insider” but as a regular member who doesn’t believe seniors should be taxed to play games and enjoy themselves
in their years of retirement. They all aren’t rich, you know, and the Center is their place to go at a lower cost than private establishments. The GST isn’t extreme regarding games – a buck a month to play snooker, for example but it’s the principle of the matter. Where will the government go next for revenue?
The public statement made by the local constituency office needs some clarification. It said there are other seniors centres collecting GST but doesn’t bother to name them so they can be checked out one-by-one. n It also said the Schubert has been receiving a 50 percent rebate and
wanted all the money back. Why not? It also doesn’t specify the activities covered by the rebate. If it includes items such as snooker and all the other games, then why does the
government levy the tax on them in the first place. Smacks of a make-work.
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