On Monday, NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) urged the Liberal Government to bring greater fairness to Bill C-2 which changes income brackets for Canadian taxpayers. During the campaign the Liberals had promised to cut taxes for the middle class but Johns argues Bill C-2 does the opposite.
“The problem with this bill is the Liberal definition of middle class seems to have been created by the Donald Trumps of the world,” Johns said in the House of Commons, “This is a bill that gives most of the tax benefits to those making around $200,000/year while offering Canadians who make around $40,000/year nothing at all.”
Johns then turned the spotlight to a region in his home riding.
“The people of Alberni Valley feel like they’re being betrayed by Ottawa, they’ve got a median income of $25,000/year, one in three children are living in poverty,” Johns said, “They feel forgotten. Seniors feel forgotten. Inequality is at an all-time high and this legislation does not address it.”
The NDP is seeking an amendment to Bill C-2 that would set the tax break at a lower level. This plan would benefit 83 per cent of taxpayers and reserve the largest benefit for Canadians making $45,000/year.
“I was elected to hold this government to account and work with them wherever possible to bring much needed relief to those struggling in my riding,” Johns said, “I believe it’s not too late.”