Ahead of next week’s Parliament return, Regina MP and Opposition leader Andrew Scheer has made his priorities clear: his sights are set on the Liberals’ proposed changes to corporate and small business taxes.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau wants to close what the government is calling “loopholes”, which they believe disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
Scheer argues this strategy would do more harm to familes and the working/ middle class than good. The Conservative leader says tax strategies like income splitting among families, stock investments and real estate and capital gains benefit more than those on Bay Street.
“We’re talking entrepreneurs, we’re talking about the mechanic, the plumber, we’re talking about the interior designer,” Scheer explained.
“What do we do when the very people we turn to protect us are the ones that are attacking us?”
A recent Mainstreet poll shows 76 per cent of respondents favour closing tax loopholes. Ottawa estimates these loopholes cost the government $250 million annually.
“These are not loopholes. These are measures that were put in place to avoid things like double taxation, to allow businesses to save and invest to hire more people and expand,” Scheer said.
Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Liberals would not back down from the changes, but are willing to adjust how they are their implemented.