Introducing a harmonized sales tax to P.E.I. should have been an election issue, Opposition leader Olive Crane told a rally of 225 people at Province House Thursday night.

The rally attracted people from Charlottetown, and the Union of Public Sector Employees brought in two busloads of people from both ends of the province.

Progressive Conservative Leader Olive Crane criticized the government for not being more open about its plans during the campaign in September.

"This should have been an issue in the election," Crane told the crowd.

During the election campaign, the Tories pushed the question of HST in two online debates organized by the CBC, and representatives of the Liberals denied any plans to introduce the tax.

Finance Minister Wes Sheridan said the situation has changed since the election. The government's finances are in bad shape, and the $39 million adjustment package from the federal government will help.

The HST is also expected to raise another $25 million a year in tax revenue.

Protestors called for plebiscite, but Sheridan said the tax will be introduced April 1, 2013.