Presidents Message

For a number of years, it has been REAL Women's policy to lobby the government for fair family taxes. Not only did we present briefs to the government, we produced brochures, issued press releases, held press conferences, wrote letters to the editor, and most recently joined forces with other pro-family groups to form the Canadian Family Tax Coalition. We were delighted, therefore, that this matter recently became a national issue. (See the article, "Recognizing the Stay-at-home Mom," p.1).

It has always been our view that if we want to strengthen the family, we must have tax policies that reward family formation. The present government policy is a slap in the face to women who have made the choice to stay home and care for their children. No piece of current legislation values that choice; even the spousal exemption is lower, rather than equal to the personal exemption.

The choice to stay home is often a difficult one. Women suffer serious financial disadvantages as well as the ire of radical feminists. Why do so many women still want to suffer these consequences? So they can devote their full attention to the nurturing of their children and the preservation of family values. Society also benefits from such a decision because moms volunteer in schools, hospitals, libraries and community groups to make a more caring world. Statistics report safer communities, and little or no daytime robberies where neighbourhoods are dotted with stay-at-home mothers.

REAL Women has always supported the choice of women to work in or outside the home, at paid or unpaid work. The choice should be up to each woman. The government should not be granting tax advantages to one choice over another.

We hope the tide may be finally turning. REAL Women will be appearing before the Finance Committee mandated to study this vital matter. We are only too pleased to do so. We will keep you informed as the situation develops.

In the meantime, thank you all so much for your support, both financial and moral, of our efforts on this and other issues. It means so much to us. May God bless you all.

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