What this means is that the Minister of Finance, who said he wanted to reduce taxes, did not dare to make everyone pay, all those who do not necessarily earn income from a job, but from profits and speculation. They do not contribute. They benefit from the overall tax reduction, but they do not contribute.
Big corporations with their huge profits are not contributing either. The redistribution is done on the back of those earning $39,000 or less and the businesses who pay their salary. This is absurd. This is even borderline illegal. How do they explain to workers and SMEs that they are the ones carrying the load of economic stabilization and redistribution? There is something utterly illogical in there.
The finance minister says “Our clients are the underprivileged”. Since when should workers alone have to look after redistribution?
Again, even without touching the $12 billion surplus, there is still another $6 billion planned surplus. After paying everything, half of it could go to improving the plan and the other half to reducing contributions, particularly those of the SMEs.
The EI surplus must somehow bother the consciences of all my colleagues, including the Liberals. When the finance minister boasts he is redistributing, they conveniently forget that those who are paying for it are those who make $39,000 or less. Yes, workers are ready to do their part, and so are SMEs, but not alone.
It is illegal, scandalous, it does not make any sense, it is economically counter-productive. There are many questions which are not raised in this country, including why we do not seem to be able to eradicate high unemployment.
Canada is at the point where it will be at head of the pack when it comes to unemployment, and at the tail end with regard to social spending. Under this government, Canada will have the worst of both worlds.