HST - Harmonized Sales Tax | ChineseMedicineTools.com: Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Social Community ~ Video ~ Podcasts

The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) will take effect in 5 months and at that time each and every practitioner in BC as well as Ontario will have to make the choice whether to increase their rates or take a pay cut. It is a 7% slide either way.

The implications of this are much more devastating to our profession than many of us may see. Other professions that also offer acupuncture as part of their scope of practice are exempt from charging GST and therefore will also be from HST. These include physio-therapists, MD's, Chiropractors and possibly Naturopaths. It is just another example of how acupuncturists are not seen as equivalent in the eyes of the government and that translates into the public eye.

Currently the TCMABC and QATCM associations are working together to lobby government on our behalf. If you are a practitioner in BC and not a member of either of these associations then maybe now is the time to get behind one and help with this movement. Please tell all your fellow practitioners, students, and instructors to get involved. This is something that effects us all and we should unite to defend our profession.