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troutman · 03-25-2015, 01:18 PM

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...orporate-taxes

Finance Minister Robin Campbell has dismissed one of the key findings of a government survey that found more than two-thirds of Albertans want the province to boost revenue through corporate tax hikes.

The poll, which drew 40,513 responses, found most Albertans would support increases to cigarette taxes (71 per cent) and corporate taxes (69 per cent) and graduated personal income tax (58 per cent).

Fewer support the government increasing revenue by hiking taxes at the pump (32 per cent), introducing a provincial sales tax (32 per cent) or re-introducing health-care premiums (28 per cent). Nearly nine per cent of respondents supported no tax increase of any kind.

But Liberal finance critic Kent Hehr said the province could still modestly increase its corporate tax rate and remain competitive.

“What your tax rate has to be is competitive, not the lowest,” Hehr said. “Clearly Albertans are way ahead of their government of understanding that we have to do a better job of paying for what we use in taxes … you see that by them essentially saying they’re OK with personal and corporate tax rates going up.”

An Edmonton-based think tank said the survey results show most Albertans have little appetite for cuts to public services and would instead support a progressive income tax system and an increase to corporate taxes.

03-25-2015, 01:18 PM	#28
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...orporate-taxes Finance Minister Robin Campbell has dismissed one of the key findings of a government survey that found more than two-thirds of Albertans want the province to boost revenue through corporate tax hikes. The poll, which drew 40,513 responses, found most Albertans would support increases to cigarette taxes (71 per cent) and corporate taxes (69 per cent) and graduated personal income tax (58 per cent). Fewer support the government increasing revenue by hiking taxes at the pump (32 per cent), introducing a provincial sales tax (32 per cent) or re-introducing health-care premiums (28 per cent). Nearly nine per cent of respondents supported no tax increase of any kind. But Liberal finance critic Kent Hehr said the province could still modestly increase its corporate tax rate and remain competitive. “What your tax rate has to be is competitive, not the lowest,” Hehr said. “Clearly Albertans are way ahead of their government of understanding that we have to do a better job of paying for what we use in taxes … you see that by them essentially saying they’re OK with personal and corporate tax rates going up.” An Edmonton-based think tank said the survey results show most Albertans have little appetite for cuts to public services and would instead support a progressive income tax system and an increase to corporate taxes.