The B.C. government today announced the process by which British Columbians will cast their ballot in the HST referendum vote this summer.

Key Dates:

• Monday, June 13 - Elections BC starts mailing out referendum ballots for the HST to all registered voters.

• Friday, June 24 - Majority of British Columbians have received the ballot.

• Friday, July 8 - Last day for unregistered voters to request a ballot from Elections BC.

• Friday, July 22, 4:30 p.m. (local time) - Completed ballots must be received by mail by Elections BC or in person by a Service BC centre.

Elections BC, a non-partisan office of the legislature, will conduct the referendum.

British Columbians who are not registered voters for a provincial election, or who have moved since the last election and have not updated their voter record, will need to request a ballot from Elections BC.

It will take several weeks for Elections BC to count the ballots. Results of the vote are expected in August.

The referendum question will be:

"Are you in favour of extinguishing the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) and reinstating the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) in conjunction with the GST (Goods and Services Tax)? Yes/No."

Learn More:

For more information on the HST, visit: www.hstinbc.ca

For more information on Elections BC, visit: www.elections.bc.ca

Contact:

Dave Townsend
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Attorney General
250 387-4962
250 889-5945 (cell)