We Make Democracy by Showing Up

When the BC government announced they would be removing the PST exemption on yarn, thread, fabric, fibres and sewing patterns, we had a lot of discussion with fieldhouse participants, neighbours and others in the maker community from across BC. We decided to register our concerns about it with our MLA. In the case of the fieldhouse, that is Attorney General Niki Sharma. 
Together wth Paula Linder, owner of Baaad Anna's yarn shop, we organized a meeting at Sharma's constituency office to request her help in retaining the PST exemption. I met with Paula at her East Vancouver home and we strategized ahead of our meeting. We summed up our argument in four main points:

• Culture, Wellbeing and Community Connection: Community and culture are an essential service – not a frivolous escapism, not a distraction, but the centre of wellbeing;
• Small Business: Provides more than product, builds communities; this end-user tax will increase prices that will absolutely lead to less spending and the closure of local businesses;
• Social Good vs Social Harms: Not a market that will generate significant revenue, but will cause significant financial difficulties to those affected – women, makers, low-income people;
• Environment & Sustainability: Making and mending clothing contributes significantly to people taking care of their clothing and keeping items longer and out of landfills.

On the day of the meeting we convened ahead of time over coffee with two other community members, Kate (my Mom) and Laura, and discussed our plans. Sharing our message with our MLA felt constructive and uplifting. I encourage others to meet with their MLAs (on this or other issues)
If you, like us feel that we should be encouraging people who are making and mending clothing and other handcrafted items please sign this petition. 
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Baaad Anna's has a good blog post detailing our discussion.