CARP

November 26, 2009
H1N1 Poll Analysis

Most Readers Agree that the Federal Government’s “hands-off” approach might be to blame for poor handling of H1N1 immunization campaign but this will not change their vote.Read more
 
The H1N1 Vaccine and Canadians Over 65: We Asked for You

We received a lot of inquiries from members perturbed about the initial exclusion of those over 65 from the priority groups. Let them know if you're satisfied with their answer.Read more
 
H1N1 Vaccine Mini-Survey
Do you believe it was wrong to keep people over the age of 65 with or without underlying conditions out of the first H1N1 vaccination priority group?

Yes

No

DON’T KNOW

Do you agree with official sources that say excluding those over 65 from the initial priority group was a good decision backed by scientific evidence?

Yes

No

DON’T KNOW

  [See Results]
Election Issues Poll Report

The polls this summer and fall showed that gap between the two major parties had narrowed so much that the governing Conservatives could be close to forming a majority if an election were held now. We asked readers what was the one true election issue that could put thme over the top. Here's what you said: Read more
 
Elder Abuse: Failing to Provide the Necessities of Life if a Crime
by Lisa Romano, Staff Lawyer, Advocacy Centre for the Elderly


Section 215 of the Criminal Code of Canada says an offence is committed if an individual fails to provide necessaries of life to a person under his or her charge if that person is “unable, by reason of detention, age, illness, mental disorder or other cause, to withdraw himself from that charge, and is unable to provide himself with the necessaries of life.” Read more
 
Art Defying Ageism: The Last Taboo Exhibit

THE LAST TABOO exhibit mounted in conjunction with the ZoomerShow and curated by Moses Znaimer himself was a big hit earlier this month. The title of the exhibit derives from Moses’ attempt to tackle what he considers society’s “last taboo”: Aging. Read more
 
Respect for Wisdom: Affirmations

Young multimedia artists Patrick Struys and Joshua Barndt were inspired to create this multimedia series by conversations with their grandmothers. Read more
 


 
UPP Gaining Momentum with Provinces
There is growing recognition of the need for a large, affordable and accessible plan that will provide Canadians who have no workplace pension plans with additional coverage beyond the current CPP maximum. Alberta Minister of Finance Iris Evans has been very vocal in her support for such a plan.Read more
 
If you experience problems completing the survey, please fill it in here.
HST Poll
Ontario and BC are combining their provincial sales taxes [PST] with the GST, to create an HST, or Harmonized Sales Tax. The combined tax will be 12% in BC and 13% in Ontario. Harmonization is intended to ease the tax burden on business but consumers will pay tax on items not previously subject to PST. Manitoba has said it will NOT agree. Saskatchewan and PEI will be pressured to follow suit. Therefore, your answers are important even if you don’t live in BC or Ontario.
1. How much do you approve of harmonization?

Approve strongly

Approve

Disapprove

Disapprove strongly

2. Which ONE of the following items would cause you the most economic hardship with an additional tax of 7% or 8% on them?

Taxi, bus, plane, train fares

Gasoline or diesel motor fuel

Residential electricity, heating oil, natural gas, firewood

Home internet services

Funeral expenses

Accounting, legal, consulting services

Mutual fund fees

Home construction, renovations

Housekeeping, lawn maintenance, snow removal

New home valued over $400,000 ($525, 000 for B.C.)

3. The following items are EXEMPT from the new tax. Which ONE is the LEAST HELPFUL to you?

Basic groceries

Fast food under $4

Newspapers

Children’s clothes, booster seats, shoes, diapers

Prescription medicines

Books

Dry cleaning, carpet cleaning, hairstyling and salons

Feminine hygiene products

New homes costing less than $400,000 ($525,000 for B.C.)

ALL ARE HELPFUL

4. Do you think this list covers all the items which should be tax-exempt?

No, doesn’t cover nearly enough items

No, doesn’t cover enough items

It isn’t perfect but the most important items are covered

Exemptions are sufficient

5. Which ONE of the following items would you most like to see exempted from the new PST portion of the HST?

Taxi, bus, plane, train fares

Gasoline or diesel motor fuel

Residential electricity, heating oil, natural gas, firewood

Home internet services

Funeral expenses

Accounting, legal, consulting services

Mutual fund fees

Home construction, renovations

Housekeeping, lawn maintenance, snow removal

New home valued over $400,000 ($525, 000 for B.C.)

6. Ontario recently announced exemptions for fast food under $4 and newspapers. In your opinion, does this make…?

The HST more acceptable

No difference at all to the acceptability of the HST

DON’T KNOW

7. What would be the effect of an additional tax of 7% or 8% on your home heating and energy costs?

Would have to cut back on other expenditures

Would have to cut back on heat/energy use

Would change heating fuel/insulate/retrofit

Would be annoyed but not be strongly affected

Would NOT be affected

8. Which ONE measure is the fairest way to compensate for the increased cost of home heating and energy?

A home heating/energy rebate for everyone

A home heating/energy rebate for all seniors

A home heating/energy rebate for low-income seniors only

A home heating/energy rebate is not necessary

9. Which ONE measure is the fairest way to compensate for the increased cost of the HST overall?

A permanent HST tax credit for everyone

A permanent HST tax credit for all seniors

A permanent HST tax credit for low-income seniors only

A permanent HST tax credit is not necessary

11. Ontario has tabled legislation to facilitate the HST, and BC is poised to do so in March, and it will be studied at a legislative committee. Would you say additional province-wide public hearings on the HST are..?

Absolutely necessary

Necessary

A good idea

Not absolutely necessary

Not necessary at all

DON’T KNOW

12. Which ONE of the following actions would be the best way to deal with the HST?

Drop the Harmonization and leave things as they are

Exempt consumers from the new PST burden

Exempt consumers from the new PST burden and have the federal government reimburse the provincial treasury

Home energy tax rebate for low income seniors based on income

One-time substantial household grant based on income

Hold a provincial referendum on the HST

OTHER/DON’T LIVE IN BC/ONTARIO

13. If the government in your province doesn’t take the action you just indicated, will you deny them your vote?

Yes, would have voted for them but not if HST passes

No, will still vote for the government

No, wouldn’t have voted for government anyway

DON’T KNOW/DON’T LIVE IN BC/ONTARIO

14. If you live in BC or Ontario, which party’s candidate would you vote for if a provincial election were being held tomorrow?

Liberals

Conservative

NDP

Green Party

DON’T LIVE IN BC/ONTARIO

16. How old are you?

Less than 45

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 to 74

75 or older

17. Where do you live?

Atlantic

Quebec

Ontario

Prairies

BC/Territories

18. What is your gender?

Male

Female

19. Are you retired or not?

Retired

Not Retired

20. What was your approximate household income last year?

Less than $40,000

$40,000 to $79,000

$80,000 or more

  [See Results]

Previous Issues of CARP Action Online

November 5th 2009
October 23rd 2009
October 9th 2009
September 28th 2009
September 14th 2009
August 31st 2009
August 7, 2009

[MORE]

 
Harmonized Sales Tax: Ontario, B.C. and Manitoba Updates
Taxation was the talk around towns in British Columbia and Ontario after the governments of both provinces announced their plans to harmonize their provincial sales tax with the federal GST. Read more
 
After the government of Ontario introduced enabling legislation for the HST we gave politicians from all three parties the opportunity to comment on the bill. Here are the responses that we received:
Ontario Minister of Revenue on the HST

Our tax changes are about helping Ontarians by creating almost 600,000 additional jobs and putting more money in their pockets through tax breaks and credits. We are permanently cutting income taxes for some 93% of Ontarians. Read more
 
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath on the HST

The premier likes to pretend he’s listening, just as he likes to pretend that this tax won’t hurt Ontario families and seniors. Unfortunately for Mr. McGuinty, the people just aren’t buying it. Read more
 
Six things you should know about the HST
by Lisa McLeod


We asked MPP Lisa MacLeod’s office for commentary on the HST and at press time they provided us with this article. It was initially published in the National Post on November 19th 2009.Read more
 
More employers rethink retirement plans

Fifty-nine per cent of employers are likely to reassess their retirement and pension programs by the end of this year as the onus for retirement savings shifts away from companies and onto the shoulders of workers, say experts. Read more
 
Chronic Pain: The Elephant in the room that no one wants to see
by Doctor Mailis-Gagnon


Based on the questions asked and interest shown by the readers, I would like now to venture exploring with you other issues relating to “chronic pain” (a subset of which is neuropathic pain we discussed in the previous 6 columns).Read more
 
FAQ: Hearing Aids
by Ruth Lawy, Hearing Instrument Specialist


The ear is a complicated organ, but the good news is that the technology for a variety of hearing devices is continually improving. But, sometimes it takes time to get exactly the right aid; and it takes patience – on the part of both the patient and the dispenser – to get the right one, and the precise adjustment needed.Read more
 
Are you/is your care recipient receiving proper nutrition?

We have found these ten warning signs that an older person might be receiving poor nutrition to be a helpful resource. Read more
 
Offences Under the Residential Tenancies Act
by Lisa Romano, Staff Lawyer for the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly


Do you know what to do or who to call if your rights are being violated under the Residential Tenancies Act? Read more
 
George Carlin on aging: Enjoy the Ride there Is No Return Ticket

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. Read more
 
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