The GST portion of the HST tax was reduced by 2% several years ago.

Why didn't the provinces elect to increase the PST portion by the same percentage to keep the total tax the same rate to the consumer?

Seems like a relatively simple fix for many of the provinces' fiscal issues.  Especially in Alberta that determined to eliminate their provincial sales tax for almost 30 years.  I am sympathetic to the plight of Albertans and their economy, but it is difficult to understand why they couldn't keep some sort of provincial sales tax mechanism in place or work with the feds to harmonize the two sales taxes.

Nothing wrong with the Alberta advantage until it requires the rest of the country to assist them during tough times.