Reality Check

Reality Check: We need straight answers on Canada Health Transfers

Apr 14, 2011 10:54 AM The next federal government will be entrusted with renegotiating the health accord with the provinces and territories. The only party to clearly commitment to continuing the six per cent escalator in a new 10 year accord is Jack Layton’s NDP.

Reality Check: Increasing CPP benefits effective and affordable for all Canadians

Apr 8, 2011 04:33 PM A gradual increase to Canada Pension Plan contributions in order to increase benefits is the best, most cost effective way to improve retirement income security for all Canadians.For a worker earning $47,500 or more per year, the initial cost of gradually doubling future CPP works out to about 9 cents per hour.

Reality Check: Boutique tax credits offer little help for Canadian workers

Apr 7, 2011 10:58 AM Harper Conservatives’ are continuing with the same regressive tax measures they’ve been championing for five years. So far they have re-announced a host of ‘boutique’ tax credits. It’s much more effective and fair to increase funding directly for public programs and services, instead of dressing up ineffective boutique credits to give the illusion Canadians workers are getting any help from Harper Conservatives.

Reality Check: Corporate tax cuts are the problem, not public sector workers compensation

Apr 6, 2011 04:03 PM Corporate Canada’s continued portrayal of public sector compensation as excessive is a not-so-veiled attempt to create a scapegoat for growing government deficits. It’s their hope that these disingenuous arguments will divert the attention of Canadian voters away from the reckless and irresponsible corporate tax cuts being pushed by their closest ally, the Harper Conservatives.

Reality Check: Claiming competition will improve health care quality defies all common sense

Apr 5, 2011 09:01 PM Lengthy wait times and overcrowded hospitals are due to a chronic shortage of trained and experienced health care workers. How can our public system possibly be improved and made more efficient by dividing already scarce resources?