Bubbachuk

I don't think that one will ever develop a "fair" method of taxation that will make everyone involved happy. Also, I do not think that it is fair that the government collect a huge surpluss of taxes (like the Alberta Provincial government) to put into "savings" for a rainy day. I think the government should create a budget before an election that is fully disclosed to the public, then that COMPLETE package is avaliable to be voted upon at election time. The government should also be held accountable for running that budget over. That way, when they collect taxes, they have an idea of how much is needed from the rest of us to run the country, and not a penny more. But we do not live in a dream world. The fact remains that the government has X amount of dollars to spend, and I think that the money is better spent on improving the situation in the lower and middle classes, than it is spent on corperations. Income splitting can help a family like mine overnight. It's really a no brainer. It's not about greed, it's about having the money to heat our home over the winter, paying for electricity, and gas to get to work. I don't think many families will be buying luxury items with this extra cash in their pockets. I can only speak for myself, but this money will simply allow us to push our monthly expenses further than paycheck to paycheck. The Green party is the only party that has even brought this idea to the table. There is no other party that has even considered single income families in their platform (Nataional Daycare? Give me a break!). It is for that reason that the Greens will likely get my vote. I know they have no chance to win here in Alberta, but there is no other party platform that addresses the needs of a family like ours. We are in desparate need of a viable opposition party in Canada. It is for that reason that I believe that the PQs are actually a detriment to our Canadian political system, and should be ousted from federal elections. Specific provincial interests have no place in a national forum. All provinces should have an equal voice in Parliment. But that is a rant I will save for another day.

How do you figure that my wife is working under the table? If she does not make an income for being a stay at home mom, then what income would you be speaking of? The $400 per month is NOT tax free, therefore it does not represent $400 as Harper might have you believe. It counts as income to the family and is taxed at the same rate back to the government. Here in Alberta, inflation has gone through the roof, and that $400 does not amount to a hill of beans in the real world. I simply believe that if you are not using the farm-your-kids system (eg. daycare/dayhome), then you should be able to get tax credits/writeoffs that are enjoyed by those offereing the same service. A stay at home parent household should be able to write off the same costs that the other care systems do. There is NO difference between the two therefore it is prejudice not to allow one to claim but not the other. Greed? Seriously.. you need help dude. Being that you are from Montreal one should not even bring up the topic of greed. The other provinces are still waiting on transfer payments from Quebec Hydro... it appears that dollars only flow one way alot like the rivers

Just adding a poll.

We are a single income family (by choice). We have 4 children under the age of 6 and we struggle each and every day to make ends meet with my wife working (unpaid) as a full time stay-at home mom. Even though we only make a modest single income, the Canadian government still takes 30% of our family income to spend as they see fit. I would like to see income splitting extended to single income families so that we, as Canadians, are not social engineered to have 1.5 kids or less. Income splitting, and giving OUR hard earned money back to spend as WE see fit, would do more for our family situation than ANY of the suggested tax cut or social programs. The government would not be giving single income families a hand out, as this money was earned by the families themselves. How can it be that big corporations are worth giving $5 billion dollars to without so much as a bat of an eye, but to give Canadians their hard earned money back in difficult inflationary times appears to be blasphemy? Why is the Canadian government against the idea of income splitting for TODAY’s families? Why are only pensioners worthy of this designation and privilege? Would the money not go to further stimulate the economy without the need for a bundle of red tape? This could help A LOT of families in the here and now… how can you NOT do it?