Canada 2004 Election Issue - Taxation

[maplesyrup]

Are tax loopholes for the rich in Canada depriving our governments of the opportunity to properly look after the social needs of their citizens?

Mapleleafweb provides all Canadians with a great opportunity to have a thorough debate about the important issues, that are on the agenda for the coming federal election.

Here is a recently written report by an important Canadian.

'The Repair of Taxation'

written by Tom Kent, and published in December, 2003

http://www.caledoninst.org/PDF/553820789.pdf

'Tom Kent was one of the chief architects of postwar Canadian social policy. He played a key role in shaping the policies of the Liberal party during its 1957-63 opposition years and, as Policy Secretary to the Prime minister and a Deputy Minister, was equally active in the implementation of those policies - including medicare - by the Pearson government.

In addition to his other roles in public service,j ournalism and education, Mr. Kent has written extensively on political, economic, and social issues. Now a Visiting Fellow in the School of Policy Studies of Queens University, he is a Companion of the Order of Canada.

- from today's Toronto Star

'Social policy amid strained resources'

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...ol=968350116795

'Discussions of public policy commonly conclude with the right question in the wrong form. The right question is: Can we afford it? The wrong form is to take it for granted that affordability means "with the present tax system." Today the public good of Canada requires a better tax system.

What we have hampers the efficiency of the economy. It blocks progress to a more just society. Politics have allowed it to become not only too unfair but too slack to command public respect. More and more people are in a position to dodge tax. More and more do.

Already the consequence has been to paralyze social progress for a generation. Change for the better will not come easily. In federal politics, the advocates of lower rates for present taxes still have some wind in their sails. They want government to recede; corporations and their executives should be taxed less in order that the globalized market economy may work its magic.

In truth, the future of the market depends on more government'

I think one of Mr Kent's fundamental points is that too many people are somehow avoiding paying their fair share of taxes, and it is impeding our governments' abilities to properly look after our citizens.

Please take the time to read Mr Kent's article and contribute your point of view about what I believe will be one, if not the most important issue, in the coming fight for the hearts and minds, of the Canadian voters.

[udawg]

Although it's probably alot easier for me to say this, since I am not considered "rich" by the federal government, if I was making hundreds of thousands, millions of dollars a year, I would be proud to give it to my country as taxes. Knowing that for the most part, my money is helping my country, I see it as charity to the little guy... everyone else.

Unfortunately, and I don't know whether they are made this way as they get rich, or get rich because they are this way, but most rich people seem to be quite greedy. "What??? You want to take $6M of MY money? To build roads?? Who needs roads when you have a private jet? And so what if I still have $10 or $20M left? Month-long Caribbean cruises and Ferraris and mansions on the coast don't pay for themselves, you know."

[maplesyrup]

If we think CEO Martin's corporate tax cut was bad, wait until we have the 2 CEOs up in Ottawa with his CEO buddy Belinda. Then we can have no corporate taxes at all.

So all the moralizers don't want to pay taxes. And what is the alternate? There is only one alternative as the government will have to generate revenue somewhere. We have massive increases in booze, drugs, gambling, and debt. Brilliant strategy.

-ideas from John Barber in today's Globe and Mail

Edited January 14, 2004 by maplesyrup