In 2005, a Liberal political advisor declared on TV that the tax credits for child care expenses promised by Stephen Harper were not good because Canadians were going to use the money to buy popcorn and beer!
For the Conservatives, it was a sign that the Liberals despised Canadians.
In fact, it illustrates two opposing visions.
On the one hand, the Conservatives want to give back with tax cuts, which favors those who pay taxes… therefore the richest.
Liberals see the government as a manager who creates programs to help: dental care, daycare spaces, housing programs, etc.
This is what is so surprising about the Trudeau government’s promise.
The Liberals who are giving a two-month GST holiday on beer and chips and sending a $250 check to 19 million people, many of whom have six-figure salaries!
Economically, this measure is absurd!
Saving 5% on a $4 ($0.20) beer is not the same as saving 5% on a $1000 ($50) bottle of Bordeaux.
The less wealthy already have little money to spend at the end of the month. They already buy tax-free products at the grocery store.
They have suffered the most from the cost of living crisis.
The Prime Minister defended himself this week in an interview with Hi Hello pleading that everyone has a hard time!
This is completely false!
The Parliamentary Budget Officer demonstrated it: the poorest 40% saw their spending on housing, food and transportation increase faster than their income!
While the opposite is true for the richest 60%.
Politically absurd
Among the Canadians who are struggling the most, there are seniors!
They will not receive the $250! They are also the ones who vote the most!
It’s no surprise that Jagmeet Singh woke up this week and is threatening not to support the bill if the government doesn’t help retirees!
Especially since Canadian finances are doing well, according to the Prime Minister!
So why not stretch the extra two billion and help those who really need it?
Mr. Trudeau defends himself: they have already had it, notably with dental care! I’m willing, but that doesn’t pay for the rent increase!
You can’t have everything!
The real question: is the $6.4 billion better invested in giving Christmas election gifts?
I’ll let you decide, but here’s where the money could have been spent: at the border, for the construction of housing, to help SMEs diversify markets if Donald Trump imposes tariffs, for health, for the poorest , for food banks, to help provinces renovate schools…
We could even have financed the third link!
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