Comments on: Dion’s Liberal Tax Plan

By: rick

rick — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:26:02 +0000

I guess my main concern is that he doesn't have anything remarkable about his past. He's been forgettable as a party leader and a bit like a reed in the wind on policies.

I certainly have no issue in particular that I can remember that he championed. Perhaps this will be his first.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:51:10 +0000

I don't have any reason to believe he wouldn't. Are you aware of past performance of his that makes you doubt he would?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:44:38 +0000

The real question is would Dion actually follow through with this plan?

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:26:02 +0000

Mum, lower income families get a bigger tax break. Their tax bracket is dropping 1.5%, while the others are dropping by only 1%. In addition, low income families are more likely to have children, thus being more likely recipients of the increase in child tax benefit. It's even more if they live in a small town.

By: Sally Haysom

Sally Haysom — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:19:34 +0000

$1,380 tax break to cover energy costs for a family of four earning $80,000

Nice to see those that can afford to pay their energy bill get a tax break when those that are low income don't get that right. Nice touch.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:14:10 +0000

I didn't know that Kim, I live in the US now so the only tax I pay in Canada is the sales tax when I go to visit. I agree with Rick though, It is the US economy that hurt the Canadian economy.

By: rick

rick — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:41:28 +0000

meh. I wouldn't give credit or indict any politician for the Canadian economy as of late.

With our close coupling to the US economy which has been tanking for months and our strong dollar shrinking our exports, it's almost outside of the country's leader's control.

It'd be nice if someone would come up with a plan to limit this semi-inflationary trend we've seen of late.

The whole 'carbon tax' nonsense is a red herring. There's nothing to be gained except political points on that particular topic.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:44:12 +0000

You're kidding, right?

What about the increase in the lowest tax bracket from 15% to 15.5% when he first took power? What about the decrease in personal exemption amount from $9,300 to $8,900 when he took power? What about making the childcare benefit taxable, thereby increasing total taxes to every household with children under 6?

Harper has increased taxes more than he has decreased them.

And using the GST as an example? I would hardly call $2 for every $100 much of a tax break. I get more of a break with my Superstore coupons ($30 on $250).

I'd like to see him give us a 2% decrease in income tax. Now THAT would be a tax break.

I'm interested to hear how you think he has improved the economy. Everything I have read says that at best the economy is stagnant, and at worst has declined.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:46:43 +0000

Stephen Harper is an economist so I think I would trust him with this stuff over Dion. Besides Stephen Harper has already proven that he can lower taxes (GST) and make the economy better.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:21:06 +0000

I guess Stephen Harper has given his thoughts.

He said the plan would “screw everyone across the country”.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/20/harper-carbon.html?ref=rss