Here for the BC NDP convention on the weekend, federal NDP leader Jack Layton is readying to ignite a battle against the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

The much-maligned HST would blend two other taxes (the federal GST and the provincial PST), and while saving administrative costs for some businesses, it will increase costs for consumers when it comes into effect July 1, 2010.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper indicated he will introduce legislation next week allowing provinces to decide on whether to harmonize the taxes.

The move puts the Liberals in the position of either supporting the initiative, which is highly unpopular with voters, or opposing it, which would infuriate Liberal governments in B.C. and Ontario – which is also implementing the HST.

"Harper has indicated he's going to bring to a vote next week after saying it's a provincial decision," Layton said in an interview with The Leader Friday. "We intend to mount a huge effort to get the public to call their MPs in a flurry of phone calls to say 'this is the wrong tax at the wrong time on the wrong people.' "

Layton objects to a $1.5-billion tax break for big companies beginning next year.

"Thank you Mr. Harper," Layton said. "Meanwhile causing a new tax to be put on families and seniors and individuals. It's just wrong."

He said it's just one of the reasons he's coming here this weekend.

"But in addition, I'm also meeting with the diverse community media, because I think in many ways, they haven't been drawn into this whole family taxation issue," Layton said. "When I was talking to many small businesses in Surrey, they weren't aware that this was a federal tax. In fact, let's be crystal clear, what's happening here is the province is handing over to the federal government the responsibility to raise the tax – it's essentially a raise to the GST – that the federal government will collect on behalf of the province."

He notes that despite the fact most Canadians think the tax is wrong, it's being introduced at blinding speed.

"Of course it's being rushed," Layton said. "There were never any hearings in British Columbia. Now Stephen Harper is going to try and ram this thing though without any proper hearings."

He doesn't believe the break-neck speed is any accident.

"They don't want the Canadian people to have a say, because they know what the Canadian people would say," Layton said. "This is the kind of thing they had a Tea Party about in Boston."

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff told The Leader last week the Conservatives have been pouring stimulus funding into Tory ridings, rather than where it's needed.

Layton doesn't entirely agree.

"There certainly has been quite a bit of that, however, we've seen quite a few New Democrat ridings getting support, and I think its mostly because New Democrats were out there in their communities beating the drums on things that needed money," Layton said. "Ultimately, you have to look at what your MP was able to accomplish."

Layton arrives in Surrey this week – he's hosting a media roundtable at the Grand Taj Banquet Hall in Surrey on Saturday – buoyed by an Angus Reid poll that puts the NDP ahead of the Liberals in this province.

He said more has to be done for low-income seniors, who don't complain much, but need help.

"All across Canada, they're showing up at food banks in greater numbers than ever," Layton said. "These are the people who fed us our whole lives, and now they've got nothing, so we want some help for them."

And that means stopping the HST, he said.

"One thing we know for sure, is seniors can't afford another tax on the basic things that they need each month, and that's why we're fighting the HST," Layton said.

It's the second party leader coming through this city in the last two weeks. He said it's unclear on whether an election is near.

"Who knows? You never know," Layton said. "In the meantime, it's a minority Parliament, and what we'll do is try to stop the things that are wrong and try to encourage the things that are right."

kdiakiw@surreyleader.com