We Are Headed in the Right Direction and
Families Are Better Off Than 5 Years Ago
Ottawa (Monday, February 7, 2011) – A commentary by Ed Komarnicki, Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose Mountain.
Under the Conservative government, Canada is headed in a direction that represents the values of most Canadians.
We have seen very positive steps taken for families over the last five years. An average Canadian family of four pays approximately $3600 a year less in taxes than when the Liberal government was in office.
We have also helped families with the Universal Child Care Benefit of $100 for every child under 6, provided a child tax credit to each child under 18, enhanced the National Child Benefit that places thousands of dollars in the hands of families that need it most and invested $250 million a year to the provinces to help create day care spaces.
In fact, we have cut taxes 120 times to date, including reducing the GST twice from 7% to 5%.
Through the introduction of the new and improved grants programs, close to 280,000 students benefited last school year - over 140,000 more than under the old Liberal system.
While more can always be done for seniors, especially seniors living alone, the fact is we have one of the lowest poverty rates among seniors in the developed world. We increased the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in 2006 and again in 2007. We increased the amount that can be earned before GIS is affected from $500 to $3500, increased the age credit service, introduced the tax free savings account and pension income splitting - something the Liberal party voted against. In fact, the NDP have voted against all budgetary help for seniors.
What we didn’t do is balance the books on the backs of the most vulnerable, like the Liberals did when they cut $25 billion from the Canada Social Transfers by raiding the EI account of over $50 billion and overtaxing hardworking Canadians.
With our Conservative government, families are absolutely better off today than they were under the previous Liberals.
