The Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch (CBABC) launched a Social Services Tax initiative to raise the awareness of government leaders and the public about the tax on legal services that was introduced in 1992. Legal services are the only professional services in British Columbia that are subject to a provincial tax. Please consult the links to learn more about the CBABC Social Services Tax initiative.

2009

• Provincial Election Candidates Asked for Stance on PST/SST Tax

2008

• CBABC 2009 Provincial Budget Submission to BC Government
• Punitive Tax Remains in 2008/09 Budget

2007

• CBA Calls on Government to Repeal Tax on Legal Services
• Canadian Bar Association Calls on Government to Repeal Tax on Legal Services
• CBABC Disappointed that the 2007/08 Budget Failed to Remove Punitive Tax on Legal Services
• Let’s Turn Up the Heat on PST

2006

• Budget Maintains Punitive Tax
• CBABC Calls for PST Elimination in 2007 Budget
• Economist Report Released – Tax on Legal Services is Bad for BC
• It’s Time to Eliminate the BC Disadvantage
• Social Services Tax Update

2005

• Government Budget Report Recommends Review of Tax on Legal Services
• Government Surplus Prompts Renewed Call for Justice System Relief
• It’s Time to Remove the Tax on Legal Services!
• Landmark Decision on Constitutionality of Social Services Tax on Legal Services
• Social Services Tax: What Members Need to Know
• Social Services Tax Update
• SST on Legal Services
• SST on Legal Services for Low Income Clients
• The Social Services Tax Is Wrong

2004

• The CBABC adopts the position that the Social Service Tax paid by users of legal services must be eliminated.

[updated November 23, 2011]