From: Chris Duffie <chris.duffie@nbliberal.ca>
Date: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 7:44 PM
Subject: Re: Methinks Mr Outhouse will have lots to read this weekend N'esy Pas?
To: David Raymond Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Higgs could reduce our taxes now if he wanted to.
From: Kennedy, Aaron <akennedy@quispamsis.ca>
Date: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Mr Outhouse will have lots to read this weekend N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email.
I am out of the office until Tuesday, July 30.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 506-849-5778 or email quispamsis@quispamsis.ca
- Aaron
From: John Carpay <jcarpay@jccf.ca>
Date: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Mr Outhouse will have lots to read this weekend N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting me. I am currently away from the office, checking email infrequently.
For media queries please email media@jccf.ca.
If you need legal assistance, please go to "get legal help" at www.jccf.ca and complete the intake form. The Justice Centre's legal team requires that requests for legal assistance be in writing, and does not deal with initial requests by phone.
For all other inquiries, please contact info@jccf.ca.
Sincerely,
John Carpay, B.A., LL.B.
President
Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms
From: LeBlanc, Dominic - député <dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Mr Outhouse will have lots to read this weekend N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
(English follows)
Bonjour,
Nous
accusons réception de votre courriel adressé à L’honorable Dominic
LeBlanc, cp, cr, député de Beauséjour et nous vous en remercions.
Veuillez noter que nous recevons actuellement un volume élevé de correspondances. Veuillez prévoir un délai dans nos réponses.
En ce qui concerne les courriels relativement à des enjeux particuliers de nos commettants de Beauséjour, nous allons nous assurer de bien réviser votre message et un employé de notre bureau de circonscription communiquera avec vous si nécessaire. Si vous avez des questions ou vous désirez des clarifications, vous pouvez toujours communiquer avec notre bureau au numéro de téléphone suivant : (506) 533-5700.
Si vous écrivez à propos de sujets relatifs aux fonctions de sécurité publique du
ministre LeBlanc, veuillez communiquer avec notre département de Sécurité publique à ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
Pour toutes demandes des médias, veuillez contacter Kelly Ouimet à Kelly.Ouimet@iga-aig.gc.ca
Merci et bonne journée.
Bureau de L’hon. Dominic LeBlanc, cp, cr, député
Député de Beauséjour
------------------------------
Hello,
We acknowledge receipt and thank you for your email addressed to the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P. for Beauséjour.
Please note that we are currently receiving a high volume of correspondence. This may mean a delay in our responding to you.
For emails related to specific issues from our constituents in Beauséjour, we will make sure to review your message and an employee from our constituency office will be in contact with you if necessary. If you have any questions or require clarification, you can always contact our office at the following phone number: (506) 533-5700.
If you are writing with respect to Minister LeBlanc's public safety duties, please
direct your correspondence to our Public Safety department at ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
Thank you and have a good day.
Office of the Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Beauséjour
From: Moore, Rob - M.P. <Rob.Moore@parl.gc.ca>
Date: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Mr Outhouse will have lots to read this weekend N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We appreciate the time you took to get in touch with our office.
If you did not already, please ensure to include your full contact details on your email and the appropriate staff will be able to action your request. We strive to ensure all constituent correspondence is responded to in a timely manner.
If your question or concern is time sensitive, please call our office: 506-832-4200.
Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jul 20, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Subject: Methinks Mr Outhouse will have lots to read this weekend N'esy Pas?
To: <Steve.Outhouse@gnb.ca>, blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, bruce.fitch <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>, Daniel.J.Allain <Daniel.J.Allain@gnb.ca>, jeff.carr <jeff.carr@gnb.ca>, Ross.Wetmore <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, pierre.poilievre <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, kris.austin <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, Dorothy.Shephard <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, Gary.Crossman <Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca>, Tammy.Scott-Wallace <Tammy.Scott-Wallace@gnb.ca>, andrea.anderson-mason <andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>, sherry.wilson <sherry.wilson@gnb.ca>, mary.wilson <mary.wilson@gnb.ca>, rob.moore <rob.moore@parl.gc.ca>, <akennedy@quispamsis.ca>, hugh.flemming <hugh.flemming@gnb.ca>, Gilles.Cote <Gilles.Cote@gnb.ca>, <Vincent.gircys@gmail.com>, kingpatrick278 <kingpatrick278@gmail.com>, Jason Lavigne <jason@yellowhead.vote>, jcarpay <jcarpay@jccf.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, martin.gaudet <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, ltgov <ltgov@gnb.ca>, Richard.Ames <Richard.Ames@gnb.ca>, <Richard.Losier@gnb.ca>, Richard.Bragdon <Richard.Bragdon@parl.gc.ca>, John.Williamson <John.Williamson@parl.gc.ca>
Cc: Susan.Holt <Susan.Holt@gnb.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, David.Coon <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, Mitton, Megan (LEG) <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, <aaron.kennedy@nbliberal.ca>, Arseneau, Kevin (LEG) <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, Kelly.A.Lamrock <Kelly.A.Lamrock@gnb.ca>, <chris.duffie@nbliberal.ca>, chuck.chiasson <chuck.chiasson@gnb.ca>, dominic.leblanc <dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca>, Dominic.Cardy <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, robert.gauvin <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, Katie.Telford <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, Marco.LeBlanc <Marco.LeBlanc@gnb.ca>, Wayne.Long <Wayne.Long@parl.gc.ca>, robert.mckee <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, jacques.j.leblanc <jacques.j.leblanc@gnb.ca>, Jacques.Poitras <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>
Thursday 18 July 2024
Higgs pledges to cut provincial sales-tax rate if re-elected
Higgs pledges to cut provincial sales-tax rate if re-elected
Reduction of HST to 13 per cent would be implemented over two years, costing government estimated $450M
Premier Blaine Higgs, speaking as leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives, said Thursday he'd reduce the province's harmonized sales tax to 13 per cent — if he is re-elected this year.
Higgs appeared at a news conference in Moncton, while several cabinet ministers, with Progressive Conservative candidates, gathered at three other locations across New Brunswick to make the co-ordinated election promise.
"We're able to do this because we can and because we've been fiscally responsible since we started, since the very beginning," Higgs said of the promised tax cut.
Higgs said the harmonized tax would be reduced to 14 per cent as part of the 2025 budget, then reduced to 13 per cent in 2026.
"All the while, we'll maintain our balanced budget," he said.
The writ hasn't yet been dropped, but the co-ordinated announcement appeared to be a campaign salvo by the Progressive Conservatives ahead of this year's election, which must be held by Oct. 21.
Social Development Minister Jill Green participated in the PC Party's four-city news conference Thursday. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The harmonized sales tax, a federal-provincial tax created in the late 1990s, originally stood at 15 per cent, with a federal rate of seven and provincial rate of eight per cent.
The tax applies to all goods and services sold in the province, with some exceptions including basic food products and prescription drugs.
Former prime minister Stephen Harper cut the federal portion to five per cent in 2006, and in 2016, former New Brunswick premier Brian Gallant raised the provincial portion to 10, bringing the total rate back up to 15 per cent.
Following the announcement, Higgs fielded questions from reporters about why his government is waiting until after an election to reduce the tax, rather than now or in previous years.
Higgs said reducing the HST has to be legislated in a move done typically around the budget's release. He also said that doing so immediately would require businesses to make "changes in everything they do."
He added that the province previously wasn't in good enough shape fiscally to reduce the tax, referring to previous decisions by his government to delay or cancel certain capital projects early on in its mandate, coupled with budget surpluses aimed at lowering the provincial debt.
"We have a team that's focused on, on doing what's right for New Brunswick, but doing it in a way that we can prudently manage it," Higgs said.
Higgs also revealed Thursday that reducing the provincial portion of the HST by two percentage points would lower annual government revenue by about $450 million.
He was asked how the government would be able bear that reduction in revenue while handling the demands on health care and social services brought on by record-high population growth seen in recent years.
In response, Higgs said his government would promote greater efficiencies within departments, as well as more collaboration between the Horizon and Vitalité health networks.
"We're looking under the hood to work with people on the floor in the hospitals or in a nursing home," he said.
"When everyone is looking for what they can do differently or how they can improve what they do, and how we can help them to improve what they do, it makes a huge impact."
Citizens need help today, say critics
Higgs's election promise was met with criticism from his political opponents, including Liberal Leader Susan Holt, who framed it as a desperate attempt to buy votes.
She said her party has proposed things his government could do immediately to help New Brunswickers with the cost of living, without significantly reducing revenue available for services like health care.
"Our team has committed to taking the [provincial sales] tax off electricity bills as an essential item to help people today. We have committed to take Higgs's fuel tax off the price of gas. We have committed to putting a rent cap in place and to overhauling the property tax system to make sure people can afford to live in their homes," Holt said.
The "fuel tax" refers to a clean fuel surcharge on motor fuels the Higgs government has allowed suppliers to pass on to consumers to deal with new federal regulations.
Holt said her party has not committed to any tax increases if elected, and would deliver a balanced budget and continue to pay down the provincial debt.
Green Party Leader David Coon said at a time when the province's health-care system is in "a death spiral," he thinks it's unreasonable for Higgs to talk about reducing the taxes that help pay for doctors and nurses.
"First things first, we need to fix the health-care system, ensure people have access to a permanent family care team, and get rid of the waiting list before we look at significant tax cuts on the scale that the premier's talking about," Coon said.
Green
Party Leader David Coon said it's unreasonable for the Progressive
Conservatives to pledge reducing the provincial sales tax when the
province's health-care system is in a 'death spiral.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)
As for plans to reduce the cost of living, Coon said a Green government would implement a rent cap, revamp the property assessment system and alter climate change policies to put less of the financial burden on individuals, and more of it on large industrial emitters.
"[That's] where the greatest amount of carbon pollution is coming from, and it's industry that has the greatest number of alternatives for reducing their carbon emissions and therefore avoiding paying ... the price on carbon."
Tax reduction is bad fiscal policy, says economist
If the goal is to help New Brunswickers most in need while maintaining essential services, reducing the sales-tax rate is one of the worst fiscal policies that could be implemented, said Richard Saillant, a Moncton economist and public policy consultant.
"This is probably one of the worst moves that he can make as a premier. It's not a sign of leadership," Saillant said.
As an example, Saillant said a household that spends $200,000 per year will save $4,000 based on the tax cut, whereas a middle-class family that spends $50,000 will save just $400.
That makes the tax cut a very "inefficient" way of helping those who need it the most, he said.
Economist
Richard Saillant says rather than reducing sales tax, more targeted
spending would better help New Brunswickers who need the most help. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"I wish that we would have found a way more creative way to use what's likely to be about $500 million a year, to focus on those that truly need help," he said.
Making the proposal even worse, Saillant said much of the surplus money the province has found in recent budgets was the result of record population growth.
That growth is set to level off in coming years, and if greater investments in public services and infrastructure aren't made, New Brunswickers will continue to suffer from limited access to health care and housing.
"We have massive investment needs in health care. We have massive investment needs in boosting the supply of housing, and these are things that allow us to help all New Brunswickers," said Saillant.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Shift
David Amos
Desperate politicians say desperate things
David Amos
Methinks Mr Outhouse has lots to read tonight N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Methinks Mr Outhouse has taken on quite a job N'esy Pas?
Doug kirby
Childish games now? Not sure who NB will elect but take a chance on someone else
Don Corey
Reply to Doug kirby
Why? For yet more liberal mismanagement?
David Amos
Reply to Doug kirby
I have to caution you This is no game It is an expensive circus that we have been financing since we began paying taxes
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Imagine if enough Independents got elected that they col control the mandate like the PANB did for awhile
Raymond Leger
Trying to buy the election with your own money
Ron parker.
Reply to Raymond Leger
if he really wanted to help he would do it now.
Don Corey
Reply to Raymond Leger
Liberals love to take our money and spend….spend….spend…..
Ronald McCallum
Reply to Don Corey
"Liberals love to take our money and spend….spend….spend….."
However, Premier Higgs is a Progressive Conservative.
So, you don't want the Government of New Brunswick to provide services . . . services . . . services . . . . ?
MR Cain
Reply to Ron parker
if he really wanted to help he would leave
Don Corey
Reply to Ronald McCallum
Absolutely, but it should be like running a household or business, where we spend within our means. Who can forget Trudeau and Leblanc showing up here in NB and telling overwhelmed Gallant to keep on spending?
That mentality has more than doubled our national debt in 8 years, and for what? Well, for starters we have the bloated federal civil service, up more than 40% since 2015. Do you want more? It’s a long list that is burying this country.
David Amos
Reply to Raymond Leger
Amen
Ron parker
why wait, just do it now.
Marc LeBlanc
Reply to Ron parker
JACKPOT!
John Lee
Reply to Ron parker
Because politics.
David Amos
Reply to Ron parker
Good question
Matt Steele
Reply to Ron parker
The Legislature is not in session . Not much sense in implementing tax cuts this close to an election if the the Liberals plan on going on their traditional massive tax and spending spree if they happened to get elected .
Ron parker
Reply to Matt Steele
sounds like something you would say.
Marc LeBlanc
When I hear people catagorizing individual viewpoints as the "left" or the "right"or "far left" or "far right" it reminds me that we will never solve our problems by tribalizing our population.
This premier has done this in spades
John Lee
Reply to Marc LeBlanc
Many people amusingly conclude a statement like yours by promptly blaming whichever other political side isn't theirs. I'm glad you didn't go there, although it would have been funnier.
Sue Fillmore
Reply to Marc LeBlanc
So does the prime minister
John Lee
Reply to Sue Fillmore
Unfortunately, divisiveness between the left and right gets more votes. Nothing moves people like fear that "those other guys" might take office.
Marc LeBlanc
Reply to John Lee
The one other catagory my father use to say was " some people just want to see the whole world burn!"
Matt Steele
Reply to Marc LeBlanc
I think you may be confusing the provincial and federal governments as it is the FEDERAL government who has divided and hurt Canadians so badly via their many failed and poorly thought out policies .
MR Cain
Reply to John Lee
There is no defined "left" or "right", just a little of both.
Don Corey
Reply to Marc LeBlanc
No, the media can take most of the credit , along with the PM.
David Amos
Reply to John Lee
True
Ralph Wighham
I guess if your government isn't actually planning to invest in anything to improve the lot of the taxpayers, then they can give you back a few pennies. I'd rather they make an effort to actually provide the services that are part of their remit, like healthcare, but then I'm not a Tory.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Wighham
Its more than a few pennies
Content Deactivated
This provincial tax reduction is a great first step , and when the current FEDERAL government is defeated in next year's mandatory election , and all the CARBON TAXES are eliminated under an incoming federal CPC government ; then we will see some major tax relief that Canadians nation wide so desperately need .
Ron parker
Reply to Matt Steele
dream big matt.
Michel Pelletier
Reply to Matt Steele
U like flood, bad weather, crippling storms, well everyone thinks paying high price is bad, cancel the CT and will be much higher
Eileen Kinley
Reply to Matt Steele
The fuel levy is rebated.
Matt Steele
Reply to Eileen Kinley
Not rebated at actual cost to the consumer .
Eileen Kinley
Reply to Matt Steele
Customers who reduce their emissions/have low emissions get back more than they pay. You're right.
David Amos
Reply to Michel Pelletier
Dream on
The left will once try to spin tax breaks as a bad thing, just like they do surpluses. They are either very frustrated with a gov't that does much more good than bad or not very good at math.
Reply to Ronald Miller
Good at math? LOLOLOL...
That is why this government sent a team in Indonesia to recruit nurses.....That's way cheaper than trying to find a way to keep the ones that are already here from quitting....
Of course once we have the foreign nurses arrive here, there will be housing and a guarantee that they can be licensed to practice...
A bit like those emergency contract nurses.. those foreign nurses are going to be so cheap (sarcasm)..
And don't forget that depleting healthcare workers from other countries is also such a good idea....
Dan Lee
Reply to Ronald Miller
tax breaks where?.....property taxes? adjustor taxes? provincial taxes on gas?
John Lee
Reply to Dan Lee
I would guess he means the provincial sales tax. You know, the one the article is about?
He took from the Needy to give to the Greedy.
He has worn out his welcome.
Reply to Ronald Miller
What makes your spin on things any better?
Pandering to the masses. Nothing but a cheap election gimmick, do it now as we all could use the tax break. Higgs got to go, drop the writ go see the Lt. Governor time for a change,
Ronald Miller
Reply to Ted Gallant
He has given us many tax breaks, pay attention.
Ted Gallant
Reply to Ronald Miller
Maybe you want to read this from the Fraser Institute not what I would say is a left leaning group - you need to get your facts correct before you post your normal BS
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/article/new-brunswick-government-could-use-new-surplus-to-cut-taxes
David Amos
Reply to Ted Gallant
Oh my my
Ronald Miller
Content Deactivated
More money in the pockets of taxpayers is ALWAYS a good thing unless you have blindly supported the left your entire life and think oppressive taxes is a good thing. Canadians understand how punishing that is under JT.
Koffi Babone
Reply to Ronald Miller
I hope you do realize that taxes are used to provide services like healthcare, education, road repairs etc..
Don Corey
Reply to Koffi Babone
Liberals love to tax and spend.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Its just another one of those things they do that nobody seems to appreciate
Marc LeBlanc
Too little too late
Mr "I don't know why I bother"
Start with the 8 cents per litre refinery tax you dumped on the people of this province then screamed about the 3 cent carbon tax increase
Do you not see how incredibly obnoxious that is ?
Ronald Miller
Content Deactivated
Reply to Marc LeBlanc
You mean federal tax JT dumped on all Canadians.
Ronald McCallum
Actually, the Prime Minister of Canada does NOT tax Canadians, it is the Parliament of Canada pursuant to the Constitution Act 1867, Part IV ---- Legislative Power, Sections 53, 54 & 55.
David Amos
Reply to Ronald McCallum
Are you sure about that?
Matt Steele
Certainly great news to see the Higgs PC government offering N.B.ers some much needed tax relief . Quite a difference in philosophy from the current FEDERAL Liberal government who seems intent on taxing Canadians into the stone age as so many families struggle to keep a roof over their heads , and food in their stomachs . It is a great first step by the Higgs PC government , but they really need to bring in some rent controls similar to what several other provinces have done as there are far to many people struggling with paying their rent , and the endless out of control rent increases . Failure to address the rent control issue may very well swing the upcoming provincial election one way or another .
Ron parker
Reply to Matt Steele
offering if elected, if he cared he would just do it with no strings attached.
David Amos
Reply to Matt Steele
Yea right
John Montgomery
So then he will have even less money for things. After telling us al these years that healthcare isn't getting better from lack of money. BRILLIANT.
Ronald Miller
Reply to John Montgomery
Better go back and do some reading. He has said consistently on many fronts that more money and spending does not solve problems. Health care worker shortages is health's biggest hurdle. If spending solved all problems then Canada would be the the best shape ever instead of worst. BRILLIANT.
Matt Steele
Reply to Ronald Miller
Truer words have never been spoken . Apparently some believe that there is a magical medical tree where Doctors and Nurses grow ; but in reality there are NO Doctors or Nurses to hire at any price . Plus the MASSIVE population surge implemented by the FEDERAL government over the past NINE years has overloaded and crushed the Canadian Health Care system .
Dan Lee
Reply to Matt Steele
seems they had no problem hiring nurses at 300 dollars an hour......you even got nurses going to usa.......
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Matt Steele
Keep spinning right
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Dan Lee
Keep spinning left
John Montgomery
Reply to Ronald Miller
You pay people more and you get people. That's how the job market works.
Eugene Peabody
Reply to Ronald Miller
Well that statement does not apply to our health care and education problem as it stands today. If I have the roof leaking badly on my house and I save money by putting a tarp on it that does not cure the problem but if I spend a little more money and put a new steel roof on then it is fixed for many years.
Dan Lee
its worth the 2% just to get rid of you......................
David Amos
Reply to Dan Lee
Why?
Jos Allaire
Reply to David Amos
Why, he says...
David Amos
Reply to Jos Allaire
Well???
Reply to Dan Lee
PC tax-cut promise pleases business community, disappoints advocates for poor people
Premier and PC Party Leader Blaine Higgs pledged 2 percentage point reduction to HST if re-elected
An election promise by New Brunswick's premier is generating favourable reaction from the business community, while being criticized by poverty-reduction advocates.
A Progressive Conservative proposal to reduce the harmonized sales tax by two percentage points could encourage more retail spending, helping out local businesses, said Jim Cormier, Atlantic director of the Retail Council of Canada.
But reducing the province's HST to 13 per cent would do little to help New Brunswick's poorest residents afford the essentials — many of which already aren't subject to the sales tax, said Peter Jongeneelen, co-chair of ACORN New Brunswick.
"They're not going out and buying new furniture or clothing," Jongeneelen said.
"You know, even if they're buying clothing, it's second-hand. So really, the tax savings is just not … beneficial to those who need it the most."
On Thursday, Premier Blaine Higgs, speaking as leader of the Progressive Conservatives, announced his party would reduce the HST if voted back into power in an election to take place by Oct. 21.
Higgs,
speaking as leader of the Progressive Conservatives, promised Thursday
he would reduce the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax to
eight per cent. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Higgs promised, if elected, to reduce the tax by a percentage point as part of the 2025 budget, and by another percentage point in 2026.
Once fully implemented, the tax would cost the province $450 million in annual revenue, while saving the average family about $1,000 a year. Higgs said.
Tax cut good for business, says retail council
Cormier with the retail council said lower taxes are always good for business, particularly now, when inflationary pressures have pushed prices higher.
"As the retail sector, we rely obviously on customers coming in and wanting to spend money in our stores, so if they are paying ... a little bit less in the taxes for those retail goods that they purchase, then hopefully that will encourage them to spend more at the retail locations in their neighbourhoods," Cormier said.
Jim
Cormier, Atlantic director of the Retail Council of Canada, says
businesses would benefit from a reduction to the provincial sales tax
rate in New Brunswick. (Retail Council of Canada)
The harmonized sales tax is a federal-provincial tax created in the late 1990s. It comprises a five per cent federal portion and a 10 per cent provincial portion.
The tax applies to all goods and services sold in the province, with some exceptions, including basic groceries such as milk, bread and vegetables, feminine hygiene products, and prescription drugs.
Everyone benefits, says federation
Also praising the PC pledge was the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, which described it as a tax cut that would benefit everyone.
"I think really the number one thing to say is that this is a tax cut that will impact every New Brunswicker," said Jay Goldberg, interim Atlantic director for the federation, a non-profit organization that advocates lower taxes and greater public accountability.
"Whether you're a senior on fixed income, whether you're a teenager trying to stretch your allowance or anyone in between, this is going to be savings for everyone."
Goldberg noted the provincial tax rate had been eight per cent until it was raised to the current rate of 10 per cent by former government of Liberal Brian Gallant in 2016.
With the Higgs government's effort to reduce the provincial debt during two mandates, the province is in the right shape to offer the tax cut, he said.
"So this is really undoing a tax hike that the last Liberal government implemented," he said.
Working class, people with disabilities left out
While the HST reduction brings down spending costs for everyone, it does so disproportionately, said Jongeneelen, with ACORN.
Higgs touted how significant savings are to be had for families looking to buy a new vehicle, renovate their homes or buy new appliances.
But Jongeneelen said many of New Brunswick's low and moderate-income residents don't earn the income needed to make such purchases, with most of their money going to essentials like rent, food and electricity.
"Two per cent off the taxes really is helping the people who are in the highest tier of society, big corporations, Crown corporations, things like this," Jongeneelen said.
"You know, it does nothing for the people who are, you know, the low, moderate or even medium income that are struggling the most."
Another group of New Brunswickers who will see little of the tax cut's benefits includes people with disabilities, said Shelley Petit, chair of the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities.
She said the most someone on disability assistance gets from the province is $918 a month, or barely enough money for someone to live on.
Rather than reduce the HST, she said she'd like to see improvements bringing the disability benefit up to at least $1,500 per month.
"I think [the tax cut] is something to help out some of the more well-to-do in this province, who really, their biggest concern is, 'Can I take my third vacation this year?'" Petit said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
80 Comments
David Amos
Methinks Mr Outhouse will have lots to read this weekend N'esy Pas?
David Amos
The EUB has been considering arguments about raising NB Power rates 20 percent over 2 years and that is not worth reporting but a possible 2 percent tax reduction is???
Walter Vrbetic
Reply to David Amos
Reported almost 2 weeks ago.
David Amos
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
and what happened?
Walter Vrbetic
Reply to David Amos
Figure it out... try Google.
David Amos
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
I did
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
I found this in Google
NB Power – Regulatory Oversight
and Integrated Resource Plan
Description and Background
The Province of New Brunswick will subject all NB Power operations to regulatory oversight and review, and require NB Power to present an Integrated Resource Plan every three years and a Financial Forecast annually to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB), or as directed by the EUB.
To improve transparency and accountability, an integrated NB Power will be required to demonstrate its costs and revenues across the entire company when requesting rate changes, including rate increases of three percent or less, which are currently exempt from regulatory scrutiny. In addition, NB Power will be required to assess electrical system requirements through an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). This process will utilize the principle of least cost procurement, economic and environmental evaluations, determine appropriate risk values for future electricity requirements and the best options to meet them. The results of this IRP process will be shared with NB Power’s customers and stakeholders by submitting the IRP to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) within one year of reintegration of the utility, and thereafter at three year intervals or more frequently if directed by the EUB. In addition to submitting the IRP, NB Power will also be required to file a 10 year strategic, financial and capital investment plan with the EUB during its first year as an integrated utility, and will provide annual financial forecasts to be used by the EUB in the rate-setting process.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
Two additional items will also bring public and shareholder transparency. Beginning in 2011-12, NB Power is required to issue quarterly financial statements and the utility, as represented by the CEO and the Chairman of the Board, will be required to appear annually before the New Brunswick Legislature’s Crown Corporations Committee.
Key Objectives Served by this Action
Low and Stable Energy Prices – Requiring NB Power to appear before the EUB to defend its costs and projections across the entire organization, as opposed to only the Distribution and Transmission operations as currently required, will ensure the utility’s costs and operations are as efficient and effective as possible while adhering to government policy. In addition, a regularly updated IRP will assist NB Power and the EUB in identifying the most cost effective ways to meet our electricity requirements into the future.
Energy Security – An integrated resource plan will assist NB Power and the EUB to identify future demand trends and asset performance expectations, ensuring that we plan ahead so that there will always be enough electricity supply to meet our demand requirements. The IRP will also identify the optimal mix of domestic supply sources to ensure security of supply, as well as encourage energy efficiency and utility-based demand side management initiatives.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
Reliability of the Electrical System – An integrated resource plan allows the utility to take a long view of our electric system to determine future electricity requirements and the best options to meet them. This will allow us to maintain a robust and reliable electric system for all New Brunswickers.
Environmental Responsibility – Requiring NB Power to consider and incorporate principles of environmental stewardship into its long-term planning process via the IRP will ensure that future operations and asset development continue to be carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Effective Regulation – Increased scrutiny by the EUB will ensure NB Power continues to operate in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
FYI I downloaded yesterday's transcript and it was a dilly
Only in New Brunswick would people complain about a proposed tax cut.
Walter Vrbetic
Reply to Christine Martinez
Claim it'd be "saving the average family about $1,000 a year. Higgs said."
How would it do that?
An "average family" would have to spend $50,000 on taxable goods a year to manage that.
Average NB household income is 72,786 before taxes and deductions per CMHC.
David Amos
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
Go figure
It's a wonderful idea and hope conservatives win. We all know that liberals would NEVER lower taxes.
Walter Vrbetic
Reply to Daniel Henwell
Please explain the claimed $1k a year savings for the average family.
David Amos
Reply to Walter Vrbetic
Nobody ever will Try Google
Content Deactivated
If you dig deep enough, most Con policies are designed to favor those who already have more money.
MR Cain
Reply to David Wilson
No need to dig very far when they talk tax credits.
Matt Steele
This tax cut will certainly benefit the great majority of N.B.ers , and will save the average N.B. family a $1000 dollars in taxes per year . Of course there will always be a few who complain , and believe that everything should be free , free , free . Premier Higgs is probably the best fiscal manager that N.B. has ever had , and N.B.ers are certainly benefiting from his management skills . Premier Higgs should also be looking at bringing in rent controls like several other provinces have done as FEDERAL government policies have created a MASSIVE population explosion never seen before in Canada ; and those FEDERAL policies have already pushed our housing stocks , social services , and food banks well past the breaking point ; and it is only getting worse .
Lou Bell
Reply to Matt Steele
That money will go back in the hands of NBers who will spend it , be it on foodand clothing , home repairs , recreation , ot just paying down bills . It will help small business , paying wages , job creation , and eventually find it's way back into the hands of government where it can be used to prop up programs of all kinds . Unfortunately , it appears the other parties just can't seem to understand economics and fiscal management , and it certainly has shown that through the Liberals , both provincially and federally with how they run government and the complete lack of control of taxpayer dollars .
David Amos
Content Deactivated
You are two peas in a pod
How about cutting the "provincial tax" on Electricity in half, and challenge the feds to do the same for all households, apartments, condos. This would truly help those needing help the most. This would have no effect on NB Powers rate hikes. There should be no tax on such a necessity, and our elected officials should be working to eliminate it as a source of revenue.
MR Cain
Reply to Jim tibo
Sounds good, especially for the wealthier NBers, as usual.
Lou Bell
Reply to Jim tibo
So what you're saying is no tax on hydro for everyone . Including the wealthy . Or is it " pick and choose " ? Doesn't matter how much one uses , no tax . Maybe do the same for gas , clothing , phone and internet , water and sewer . In fact charge no one tax .
David Amos
Reply to Jim tibo
Dream on
To save $1000 the first year you'll have to spend $100,000 on taxable items.How much is the average family income in N.B.?
Lou Bell
Reply to Claude Martel
To save 500 dollars they'd have to spend 50,000 dollars . Such things as clothing , furniture , labour , household goods , lumber , Hydro , phone , internet , fuel , are all taxable . Now the liberal way of thinking would be if it doesn't amount to one getting back at least 5000 dollars in benefit , well it's not worth it .
MR Cain
Reply to Claude Martel
The average nb salary in Canada is $50,700 per year or $26 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $35,226 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $107,322 per year. The median total income of all families in New Brunswick reached a peak in 2022 with 87,650 dollars.... no idea how they do the calculations.
Lou Bell
Reply to MR Cain
Usually there are at least 2 people working in a family . Most , with any training at all , would make quite a bit more than 35,000 dollars . Not hard to figure out .
Lou Bell
Reply to Claude Martel
Family income would normally entail at least 2 people working . With any training at all one should make at least 50,000 dollars alone . Add another one or two people , no problem getting to 100,000 quite easily . Not like everyone's working a minimum number hours of fishing , then drawing 40 weeks of EI . In spite of what the Fed Liberals do to encourage it .
David Amos
Reply to Claude Martel
Well put
Reply to Lou Bell
Your math and assumptions don’t add up Lou. Despite what you want to believe, the StatsCan data shows the average NB household income is around $85,000. After income taxes, that amounts to about $72,000. The majority of that would go toward housing and groceries, which is not taxable. That leaves nowhere near enough to spend on taxable goods that would in turn produce $1,000 in savings.
This type of tax cut really only helps the richest people disproportional more than everyone else. I remember when Harper did the same thing ordinary people's lives did not get better and the economy did not get better. When the "Business Council" and the "taxpayers federation" think it is a good thing you can be sure it will help people with lots of money. Now if he had put a cap on rent increases, power rate increases, or property tax yearly increases then that would do SO much more for everyone.
Lou Bell
Reply to Eugene Peabody
You have no idea who the taxpayers federation really represents do you ? And all those things you say should be capped ? We've been underpaying on electricity for years . And property tax has always been a percentage of the value of ones home . So the people who own them million dollar houses ? You want to give them a break . And a cap was put on rent increases . Economist Herb Emery wrote in these very pages that studies have shown freezes on rental properties stunt the building of new apartments . In fact , a study he did showed that the best way to lower rents is to build as many properties as possible and availability will lower rental prices at all levels .
David Amos
Reply to Lou Bell
I do
Sam Brown
Hello New Brunswck
......."while saving the average family about $1,000 a year"......
How do you save $1000 when the idea of the proposal is to make you spend more ?
Oh, we want you to save $1000, but spend more.....Sounds like double talk to me ..
No lost of revenue to the Province if everyone spends more, even at a lower HST....
Good Day
MR Cain
Reply to Sam Brown
Also, with a growing population, more revenue from tax AND equalization, it isn't costing the govt a dime.
MR Cain
Reply to Sam Brown
That is what I try to convince my wife to believe. "It may be on sale, dear, but you will save more if you don't buy it." That would be a couch night for me.
Lou Bell
Reply to Sam Brown
And that's exactly what most people do . They have extra money , they spend more . Could be on home repairs , recreation , savings , or just help in paying their bills . The engine that runs the finances in this province are the very people getting the tax break . Somewhere along the line they deserve a break too don't ye think ????
Lou Bell
Reply to MR Cain
It produces more work , keeps businesses afloat , and gives ALL taxpayers a break . It's time the middle class got a break don't ye think ? And you should realize we , the people , are the government , so in fact it's not costing us a dime !
David Amos
Reply to Sam Brown
Sounds like double talk to me too
No comments:
Post a Comment