A poll conducted by Maple Leaf Strategies (MLS) found that a significant majority of Saskatchewan voters are opposed to the provincial government’s decision to add provincial sales tax (PST) to a number of insurance products.
MLS conducted its poll via telephone last month, from August 03 to 06. According to a release, the sample size was 600.
Some of the findings of the poll include:
- 73% oppose or strongly oppose taxing insurance.
- 77% say taxing insurance is “unfair”.
- 73% say it will cause individuals to reduce or cancel their insurance coverage.
- 65% of Saskatchewan Party voters oppose or strongly oppose taxing insurance.
- 47% of Undecided voters say changes make them less likely to vote for the Saskatchewan Party.
“Opposition to taxing insurance crosses every demographic and political category. Moreover, there is a high level of awareness of this issue among the electorate,” MLS pollster Dimitri Pantazopoulos commented on the results of the survey.
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“Aside from the unpopularity of this tax, it could lead to serious problems for the government if people start reducing or canceling their insurance,” added Saskatchewan-based Advocis member Dean Owen. “If those people have an accident and are not covered for risks they will ultimately end up at the government’s door – meaning higher costs in the end for taxpayers.”
“People use insurance as a way to protect their family’s financial future in the event of an accident, illness or loss of life. They also use insurance as a way to save,” said Advocis president and CEO Greg Pollock. “Taxing savings makes no sense. It puts the financial future of families at risk.”
Related stories:
Saskatchewan Premier candidate vows to rescind sales tax on insurance
Saskatchewan reinstates provincial sales tax, insurance premiums affected
