An Insightrix poll commissioned by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation points to major opposition to the Saskatchewan government’s decision to charge PST on insurance premiums.
Over 78 per cent of people oppose the decision, according to the poll of 802 randomly-selected SaskWatch Research panel members who participated in the online research study July 12 through 14.
In response to the question “do you support or oppose the Saskatchewan government’s decision to charge PST on all insurance premiums?”: 55 per cent said they were strongly opposed; 23.6 per cent were somewhat opposed; 12.5 per cent somewhat support; 2.4 per cent strongly support; and 6.6 percent not sure.
Insightrix also posed the question: “How will your household change its insurance purchasing plans once PST is charged on all insurance premiums?”
In response, 20.3 per cent said they would reduce insurance coverage (such as downgrading the level of home insurance coverage, purchasing less crop insurance, etc); 13.8 per cent stop renewing some policies (such as cancelling a package policy on a vehicle); 48.6 per cent of household won’t change its insurance purchasing plans; and 25.4 per cent are not sure.
“People in Saskatchewan are sending a clear message: it’s a mistake to charge the PST on insurance premiums,” said Todd MacKay, the CTF’s Prairie Director, in a statement.
“Premier Brad Wall has always said he’ll fix mistakes and charging PST on insurance premiums is a big mistake that needs to be fixed.”
