CARP

May 18, 2013

CARP Members to Politicians: HST will cost you my vote!

"As a senior on a fixed income, I am distressed by the HST that will be foisted on us next year. Your government needs to step up and stop this tax grab now. Anyone that thinks that business is going to pass the savings on to consumers is smoking something funny."Read more

The Politicians on HST
In our last newsletter, CARP ActionOnline we asked readers to weigh in on the decision by the provincial governments of B.C and Ontario to implement a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in 2010. The results are in and most polls respondents don’t believe that the tax credits will be sufficient to offset the tax increase created by the HST and 85.4% of them don't believe that businesses will pass through their savings to consumers. We gave politicians and by-election candidates in B.C. and Ontario the opportunity to comment on the results of our poll. Here are the responses we received by press time:

Ontario Minister of Revenue's Response to CARP HST Poll

Seniors can expect the following permanent income tax cuts starting next year – first, we’re dropping the personal income tax rate on the first 37,000 of taxable income giving Ontario the lowest rate on the first income tax bracket of any province.Read more

Michael Prue Response to CARP HST Poll

We are glad to see the many concerns retired Ontarians have voiced about this new tax. It will clearly have a very a negative impact on those who are on fixed incomes. Simply put, life will become much less affordable for retirees.Read more

Lisa MacLeod's Response to CARP HST Poll

Ontario’s seniors will be hard hit when Dalton McGuinty blends the GST with the provincial sales tax. This combined Dalton Sales Tax (DST) could cost Ontarians anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 more annually, with an estimated $2.5 Billion extra in revenue for the Liberal government. Read more

The Contenders: Candidates Squaring Off in the St-Paul's Bi-Election
Sue-Ann Levy and Julian Heller will be squaring off in St-Paul's Provincial bi-election on September 17th 2009.

Sue-Ann Levy Response to CARP HST Poll

CARP members, like most of the residents in St. Paul's I have spoken with, clearly recognize the negative impact the Harmonized Sales Tax will have on them and the cost increases they will see. Read more

Julian Heller Response to CARP HST Poll

Like 85.4% of CARP members who answered your poll, the Ontario New Democratic Party does not believe that businesses will pass on the eventual savings they make through the HST to consumers. Read more

CARP Leadership Index™

What makes a good political leader? In the absence of searing election issues, leadership is the default ballot question. In which case, the best political leader is the one who has the most followers – for whatever reason. It could be the élan of a red rose in the lapel, a basso rendering of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” or multi-syllabic rhetoric that sends us racing to our dictionaries.Read more

What is the Ballot Question? [Survey analysis]

All this election sabre rattling should at least tell us: what is the ballot question? In other words, if your party wins, what will you do for me?Read more

What if they called an election and no one came out to vote? –Except Older Voters

In October 2008, only 59% of eligible voters turned out to rearrange the electoral deck chairs. From a high of 79% turnout in the Diefenbaker years, Canadian voter turnout has dropped steadily ever since.Read more

If you experience problems completing the survey, please fill it in here.

Pre-Election Poll

The federal Government just announced plans to extend EI benefits for Long Tenured Workers to better help those who have contributed for a long time and have not drawn much EI benefits. Opposition parties may support it – thus averting an election call over this issue. However, the Government is also proposing an increase in EI premiums for everyone.

This is a better idea than reducing the qualifying hours and extending the benefit weeks for ALL workers

	Yes
	No

Helping Long Tenured Workers is a better idea than reducing the qualifying hours and extending the benefit weeks for ALL workers EVEN if higher EI premiums are part of the package.

	Yes
	No

Helping Long Tenured Workers rather than reducing qualifying hours for everyone is enough reason to force an election call if the Opposition all vote against it.

	Yes
	No

The federal government has offered financial incentives to all provinces to harmonize their provincial sales taxes with the GST to boost investment and cut costs for manufacturers. The provinces are expected to use the federal money to offer rebates, tax credits and grants to partially offset the additional taxes on consumers. Business is expected to pass on their savings to consumers. BC and Ontario already accepted the offer. The rest of the provinces are under pressure to follow suit.

Do you support or oppose Ontario and BC harmonizing their sales taxes with the GST?

	Support
	Oppose

Do you think harmonization is good for the Canadian economy overall?

	Yes
	No
	Don't Know

A number of items which had not been subject to provincial sales tax will now be subject to HST. These include fuel, memberships, real estate and other services. Which ONE action should governments take to offset increased taxes on these items?

	Home heating credit/rebate
	Household grant based on income
	Increase sales tax credit to offset full provincial tax increase
	Real estate tax exemption
	Point of purchase rebate for all new provincial taxes
	Federal rebate – it’s their idea
	Nothing, rebates etc. are not necessary

Do you think we need a federal election this fall?

	Yes
	No

If there is an election this Fall, what would be your preferred outcome?

	Conservative majority
	Conservative minority
	Liberal minority
	Liberal majority
	Liberal/NDP coalition
	Liberal/NDP/Bloc coalition
	Some other arrangement

If there is an election this Fall, what is the TOP change you want as a result:

	Pension reform to rebalance the interests of employers and employees
	Amend bankruptcy laws to protect pensioners
	Moratorium on RRIF withdrawals
	Increase CPP/OAS/GIS
	Establish Universal Pension Plan
	Make TFSAs retroactive for pensioners
	Expand/simplify qualifying for EI
	Fix isotope shortage
	Ratify Kyoto Agreement
	Institute “Cap and Trade”

The government has announced a renovation tax credit worth up to $1350 on $10,000 or more of home renovations. Have you taken advantage, or do you plan to take advantage of this program?

	Yes, have taken advantage
	Yes, will take advantage
	No, have not/will not take advantage

Do you believe this tax credit will be cancelled if there is an election this fall?

	Yes
	No
	Don't Know

If an election were held TOMORROW, which party’s candidate would you vote for?

	Conservatives
	Liberals
	NDP
	Green Party
	Bloc Quebecois

What kind of retirement provisions do you personally have?

	Not retired, no RRSP, no pension
	Not retired, RRSP only
	Not retired, pension plan only
	Not retired, RRSP and pension plan
	Retired, CPP/OAS/GIS only
	Retired, CPP/OAS/GIS and RRSP/RRIF
	Retired, CPP/OAS/GIS and pension plan
	Retired, CPP/OAS/GIS, RRSP/RRIF and pension plan

Do you think your retirement provisions will be adequate to live on when you retire?

	Yes
	No
	Don't Know

What is your age?

	Less than 45
	45 to 54
	55 to 64
	65 to 74
	75 or older

Where do you live?

	Atlantic
	Quebec
	Ontario
	Prairies
	BC/Territories

What is your gender?

	Male
	Female

[See Results]

Previous Issues of CARP Action Online

August 31st 2009

August 7, 2009

July 17, 2009

House Makes Historic Show of Support Thanks to Your E-Activism!

Have Your Say

June 16th, 2009

May 29, 2009

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Liberals respond to CARP's call to end Mandatory Retirement

Mandatory retirement violates the Charter, concluded the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in its recent decision ... but that is not enough, the offensive provision in the Canadian Human Rights Act must be removed. Read more

Nortel Pensions and Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Amendment Fall 2009 Update

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Last Call to Submit your Nominations for CARP's 25th Anniversary “Top 25 Canadians Award”

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