Tories take page out of People's Alliance playbook with used auto HST pledge

Progressive Conservative Leader Blaine Higgs promised Tuesday to create fairer taxationfor used vehicles and an easier registration process a pledge not unlike a years-old People's Alliance platform plank.

Standing in front of a used car dealership in Oromocto, Higgs committed to charging HST on the actual purchase price of a secondhand vehicle instead of the blue book value. The party, if elected, would also eliminate the front licence plate and allow for vehicle registration renewal every two years.

Higgs said a PC government would make it easier and cheaper for New Brunswickers to get their vehicle on the road.

"We can change that," he said. "The goal here is to do right by all."

A familiar promise

The promise drew scorn from the People's Alliance, who accused the Tories of stealing from their playbook.

"The PC party took their promise right out of the People's Alliance 2014 platform, basically word for word," said party spokesperson Wes Gullison.

The duelling commitments are not facsimiles, however.

Gullison said the People's Alliance would create a one-time registration at the time of transfer for vehicles, including automobiles, ATVs and snowmobiles. He said New Brunswickers wouldsee cost savings under theirframework compared the PC plan.

The Tory pledge is one of convenience and not cost savings, said party spokesperson Nicolle Carlin. Renewal costs would go unchanged, but the term would be extended.

The People's Alliance would completely scrap the tax on private sales of used vehicles, Gullison said, and make up the lost revenue elsewhere.

"This will be paid for by eliminating corporate handouts, which currently cost taxpayers over $200 million per year," Gullison said in an email.

The Alliance also plans to eliminate front licence plates.

Higgs said the promises are similar but addedthat voters are better off supporting the PCs for fear of splitting the vote share on the right.

"Why would you take a chance on the People's Alliance, which can effectively have another four years of Brian Gallant by splitting the vote?" Higgs told reporters.

Other parties respond

Green Party spokesperson Shannon Carmont said the Greens also believe there should be no HST on used vehicles.

Liberal Leader Brian Gallant said it comes down to showing fairness to all New Brunswickers when it comes to selling these cars.

"We also want to make sure that we do politics in a way that we are transparent and very clear about our plans," he said in an email. "We should be focused on long-term, strategic investments to create more opportunities and a fairer economy, not be using these types of announcements to try and gain political swing."

The NDP didn't respond to CBC's request for comment.