With a relatively weak Canadian economy, depressed commodity prices and the myriad of international economic issues (i.e. uncertainty in China), federal parties should offer solutions to the economic storm clouds on the horizon.
personal income tax
October 1 marks an important day for Alberta. It’s when the province officially moves away from a single 10 per cent tax rate on personal income to a system with five separate brackets.
Over the years, the federal government has shown a penchant for muddling the tax system with a myriad of tax credits, deductions, exemptions and exclusions. But tax expenditures—as they are collectively known—recently drew fire from Canada’s auditor general.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently announced his government will introduce income splitting for tax purposes at an annual cost of roughly $2 billion.
“We want Quebecers to pay less tax and taxes,” said Quebec’s premier Philippe Couillard, in advance of recommendations from a special panel tasked to make the province’s tax system more competitive. The window for change appears to be opening, and the premier’s statement is a positive sign.