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CANADA'S TAX-MAD GOVERNMENT

Canadians pay higher taxes than residents living in any of the G-7 countries (Canada, the US, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and Italy). The federal government, however, thinks there is still not enough tax money at its disposal. It is forever greedy for more of our money.

The glorious surplus as of last year has now been spent in furthering the cause of the Liberal Party in Canada, such as easing the rules for unemployment insurance, just in time for the November 2000, federal election to allow the voters in the Atlantic provinces to appreciate more deeply the advantages of a Liberal government. The Human Resources Development (HRDC) boondoggles exposed last year, and the Liberal government's pork barreling by CIDA (see page 10) also make demands on our tax money.

Our current tax policies have caused Canadian families to pay an average of 22% of their income on federal taxes this past year. This is its biggest yearly expense in the four major budget categories, which include 19% on shelter, 13% on transportation and 11% on food. Federal statistics released at the end of August show that the average Canadian household spent $740 more on personal taxes in the year 2000 than it did in 1999.
However, according to Water Robinson, Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, this figure is not accurate in that it does not include GST, property taxes and a variety of different fees and charges, also considered taxes. Mr. Robinson states that the full tax burden to family income is between 48% and 49% of its income.

At the same time, family tax benefits have decreased enormously. In 1942, Canadians could deduct 75% of their weekly wage for dependents. In 1950 this fell to 30% and by 1992, it had reached 9% (Joe Campbell, Witness Conference, October 2, 2001).

This failure to recognize families by increasing taxation and decreasing tax deductions for dependents has led to much less discretionary income for families, forcing more and more women into the paid workforce just to make ends meet.

It is certainly not easy being a Canadian taxpayer in this tax-mad climate.

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