Ottawa — Finance Minister Flaherty is once again promising billions more in tax cuts which will provide little lasting benefit to working families, says CUPE National President Paul Moist.
“The Conservatives have already cut taxes by over $15 billion a year, but most working families don’t feel any better off. These additional income, sales and corporate tax cuts will do little more to help.”
“Canadians need and want better and more affordable public services. With more than $20 billion in annual tax cuts already introduced and just promised by Minister Flaherty, we could have:
- Phased in a national non-profit public child care and early learning program: guaranteeing a space for every 3-5 year old in Canada.
- Restored enough funding to cities and municipalities to end their budget crises, rebuild their infrastructure and community services.
- Started a national pharmacare program to provide affordable medicine to all Canadians.
- Provided enough resources for First Nations and Aboriginal communities to fund the Kelowna Accord and meet further health, educational, housing, land claims, environmental, fiscal and child welfare needs.”
CUPE Economist Toby Sanger added, “The Finance Minister is trying to pump up what soon could be a flagging economy with costly tax cuts. It may help them to buy a spring election, but it will do little to improve the long-term health or productivity of the economy and could lead to deficits and deep cuts to public services in future years.”
“Minister Flaherty’s statement demonstrates a strong belief in trickle down economics. What’s missing is a vision for a strong country, strong communities, a social safety net and much needed infrastructure investment,” concluded Moist.
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Contact:
Paul Moist, CUPE national president – 613-558-2873 (cell)
Toby Sanger, CUPE chief economist – 613-720-6955 (cell)
Catherine Louli, CUPE communications – 613-851-0547 (cell)
