More vote-buying

The_Squid · August 4, 2015

Is it really a conservative ideal to give tax breaks to home owners to put in a new tile floor for the bathroom? Or replace that shabby carpet with some hardwood?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-promise-to-make-reno-tax-credit-permanent-depending-on-economy/article25825328/

... a re-elected Conservative government would establish a $1.5-billion permanent home renovation tax credit.

Or should home owners have to do this without a government handout?

The_Squid · August 4, 2015

What about a new flower bed? Taxpayers should be footing the bill for a new flower bed?

The backgrounder to the program said the tax credit would apply to “renovations and permanent alterations to a dwelling, or the land on which it sits,” suggesting that landscaping improvements might also qualify.

Renovations to houses, condominiums and cottages would be eligible for the tax credit.

So if you own a cottage on the lake, you should get a tax break for your new dock?

How does this fit into conservatism as an ideology?

Smallc · August 4, 2015

It's a populist thing. That's what happens when you have two populist parties competing for 1st place.

Boges · August 4, 2015

It was widely supported the last time Canada was in recession.

The_Squid · August 4, 2015

It's a populist thing. That's what happens when you have two populist parties competing for 1st place.

So you're saying that the Conservative Party isn't conservative, they'll just say and do whatever it takes to get elected?

It was widely supported the last time Canada was in recession.

Harper wants to make it a permanent tax break for people who want a new granite countertop in the house they own.

How is it conservative to dole out tax breaks like this?

WIP · August 4, 2015

What about a new flower bed? Taxpayers should be footing the bill for a new flower bed?

So if you own a cottage on the lake, you should get a tax break for your new dock?

How does this fit into conservatism as an ideology?

As long as it's not to reduce energy consumption or provide any environmental benefits, it's in keeping with conservative ideology.

Smallc · August 4, 2015

So you're saying that the Conservative Party isn't conservative, they'll just say and do whatever it takes to get elected?

Harper wants to make it a permanent tax break for people who want a new granite countertop in the house they own.

How is it conservative to dole out tax breaks like this?

This is what the Conservative party has always done. I don't find it surprising at all.

On Guard for Thee · August 4, 2015

And here we are back in recession. And apparently the credit wont kick in until the current economic conditions improve. Do I detect yet more smoke and mirrors here?

Boges · August 4, 2015

Harper wants to make it a permanent tax break for people who want a new granite countertop in the house they own.

How is it conservative to dole out tax breaks like this?

That's interesting that it's seen as a tax break for a rich now and not economic stimulus and incentive not to do under the table cash deals that it was originally.

Boges · August 4, 2015

And here we are back in recession. And apparently the credit wont kick in until the current economic conditions improve. Do I detect yet more smoke and mirrors here?

You'd think the price of oil and other commodities would go up at some point no?

The_Squid · August 4, 2015

That's interesting that it's seen as a tax break for a rich now and not economic stimulus and incentive not to do under the table cash deals that it was originally.

I didn't say anything about the rich. I will certainly benefit from this.

That doesn't mean that it's not crass vote buying and far from the supposed conservative ideology. It's interesting that you try and spin it as economic stimulus when Harper says that it won't kick in until the economy improves again...

So stimulus is clearly not the reason for it. What is the reason?

On Guard for Thee · August 4, 2015

You'd think the price of oil and other commodities would go up at some point no?

They likely will at some point, but who can predict when, especially with oil? It just seems to me a bit strange to offer something as a form of stimulus spending that won't kick in until the economy is stimulated. Bit of a chicken or egg conundrum it seems to me.

Smallc · August 4, 2015

They likely will at some point, but who can predict when, especially with oil? It just seems to me a bit strange to offer something as a form of stimulus spending that won't kick in until the economy is stimulated. Bit of a chicken or egg conundrum it seems to me.

It has to do with keeping the budget balanced, I would think.

On Guard for Thee · August 4, 2015

It has to do with keeping the budget balanced, I would think.

When will we see that I wonder? Stimulus spending is usually something done to get out of recession. Infrastructure would seem to be a smarter approach...it's needed and probably more effective. By definition, this tax break is not a stimulus if it only kicks in after the economy improves, so I guess we are back to the vote buying business.

Bryan · August 4, 2015

Having people maintain their homes is good for the entire country. Any policy that encourages that is good policy.

On Guard for Thee · August 4, 2015

If it's such good policy, why not promise to put it into effect right away? And what if you don't own a house but you need a job, or want a better job. Again, infrastructure spending would be more effective.

msj · August 4, 2015

Having people maintain their homes is good for the entire country. Any policy that encourages that is good policy.

I thought the point of private ownership was to encourage people to take pride in what they own and, therefore, maintain it.

But apparently not good enough - now taxpayers must subsidize people.

It's a crummy policy because home renovations, like home ownership, are not productive.

Owning and home, or renting one, does nothing to make Canada more competitive or productive.

On top of that, home ownership is already subsidized heavily - principal resident rule for capital gain, use of RRSP's for down payment, first time home buyers tax credit, GST rebate for new homes, etc.

blueblood · August 4, 2015

I thought the point of private ownership was to encourage people to take pride in what they own and, therefore, maintain it.

But apparently not good enough - now taxpayers must subsidize people.

It's a crummy policy because home renovations, like home ownership, are not productive.

Owning and home, or renting one, does nothing to make Canada more competitive or productive.

On top of that, home ownership is already subsidized heavily - principal resident rule for capital gain, use of RRSP's for down payment, first time home buyers tax credit, GST rebate for new homes, etc.

Well since BC people and first nations dont want construction of pipelines which helps with providing jobs in construction and adds some value to oil, milking the home owner market is another way to go for trying to keep the economy respectable. The govt can recooperate some costs of the tax break through from the tax off of economic activity generated by the renovations.

Topaz · August 4, 2015

As the NDP leader revealed today, in 2006, that program was brought in by the Liberals and Harper came along and got rid of it but now he's desperate for votes and is bring it back, BUT its on conditions.....the economy and if he gets a mandate, which right now BOTH looks pretty poor. As the view of Preston Manning.....WORDS mean nothing to Harper and remember that without this election.

The_Squid · August 4, 2015

Having people maintain their homes is good for the entire country. Any policy that encourages that is good policy.

Why should taxpayers subsidize home improvements? Do you think flower beds should receive the same subsidy as re-tiling the entryway?

Well since BC people and first nations dont want construction of pipelines which helps with providing jobs in construction and adds some value to oil, milking the home owner market is another way to go for trying to keep the economy respectable. The govt can recooperate some costs of the tax break through from the tax off of economic activity generated by the renovations.

Can you please cite where this is due to BC people and first nations? You really think this announcement is directly due to a lack of pipeline development across BC?

Why should home improvements for home owners be subsidized?

Is this really a conservative principle, or is it a good idea because it's the party that you like that is proposing it?

Argus · August 4, 2015

Is it really a conservative ideal to give tax breaks to home owners to put in a new tile floor for the bathroom? Or replace that shabby carpet with some hardwood?

Weren't you guys suggesting something to stimulate the economy not long ago? This worked very well when it was a temporary measure and I'm sure it will work again. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I saw this among the promises of one or another of the other parties not so long ago too.

Edited August 4, 2015 by Argus

Bryan · August 4, 2015

Why should taxpayers subsidize home improvements?

Because it benefits the whole community.

blueblood · August 4, 2015

Why should taxpayers subsidize home improvements? Do you think flower beds should receive the same subsidy as re-tiling the entryway?

Can you please cite where this is due to BC people and first nations? You really think this announcement is directly due to a lack of pipeline development across BC?

Why should home improvements for home owners be subsidized?

Is this really a conservative principle, or is it a good idea because it's the party that you like that is proposing it?

Google bc opposition to pipelines and start studying. Heres a free one http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=9469513

Its a conservative principle to take less tax money in, such as being proposed here. Its not a subsidy, the government isnt handing out a cheque, just allowing homeowners to keep more of their money when they file taxes. A flat tax without tax breaks at all would be nicer, but this is the cards that are dealt. Heaven forbid people should get tax relief!

The_Squid · August 4, 2015

Weren't you guys suggesting something to stimulate the economy not long ago? This worked very well when it was a temporary measure and I'm sure it will work again. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I saw this among the promises of one or another of the other parties not so long ago too.

It's not a stimulus. Harper says the economy must improve first and then it will be a permanent tax subsidy.

Because it benefits the whole community.

No it doesn't. It benefits me, the home owner. No one else. It's not a conservative thing to do at all.

Google bc opposition to pipelines and start studying. Heres a free one http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=9469513

Its a conservative principle to take less tax money in, such as being proposed here. Its not a subsidy, the government isnt handing out a cheque, just allowing homeowners to keep more of their money when they file taxes. A flat tax without tax breaks at all would be nicer, but this is the cards that are dealt. Heaven forbid people should get tax relief!

Then you don't even know what a subsidy is. That's a shocker.

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/subsidy.asp

A benefit given by the government to groups or individuals usually in the form of a cash payment or tax reduction.

Why should a home owner receive tax relief to plant a flower garden, or make a nice landscaping wall? (which I will put off if the Conservatives win... it's going to cost me thousands... may as well wait and get that subsidy!)

On Guard for Thee · August 4, 2015

Another fault I find with this kind of tax break is how do you know the people who take advantage of it to put that new counter top in or whatever, weren't going to do it anyway? In which case you have now spent tax money on rebates that didn't really generate any NEW economic activity. Harper is admitting no that the economy is not in such great shape after all and hoping we will buy his plan that his plan will somehow change that.