Federal Election Called for Oct 19, 2015

[ae118]

Originally Posted by craigwd

Actively seeks out and signs free trade agreements. That's something I believe in.



Lowered GST

Increased funding for sport and athletes.

Except the specifics of his trade deals are never discussed widely, so we end up with the China deal or whatever might be in the TPP.

Lowering the GST was vote pandering and reducing perfectly good revenue.

If you mean OTP, I think any government would have done so.


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[Flash Walken]

So Far we've got:

• Changed the colour of desert military uniforms.
• Implemented a GST tax cut that hurt the Canadian economy.
• Lowered the corporate tax rate increasing the federal deficit.
• Increased the federal deficit burden by raising the TFSA limit for Canada's wealthier and older citizens

Did I miss anything?

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Slava

nm

I don't love a lot of the CPC policies, but TFSAs are a great tool. I do see the point that it benefits some more than others, and I hate to say it...but that's OK, right? I mean yes, of course we should help those who need it most, and of course those people should see some benefits more than those of us who are better off, but its OK to have a policy that benefits the middle class and above as well.

This is hitting the nail on the head. Instead of these boutique credits they should increase the basic personal exemption...

I'm aligned with Slava on this one. It's true (imo) that the TFSA isn't intended to help out lower-income, but it's a great tool for middle income and higher income individuals.

The reality is that not every single policy needs to help/hinder every single person.

The Child Tax Credit does nothing to help me or the millions of Canadians without kids, but its still a good idea (we can argue about the implementation).

Income splitting does nothing for those of us without a spouse, regardless of where we are on the economic ladder. Still a good tool for those who can make use of it.

That all said, I think the single most 'Fair' tool that the government has is the ability to manipulate the Personal Exemption. I whole-heartedly support increasing that exemption, while maintaining a tiered income tax scheme.

And I can't help but ask, why doesn't anyone seem to give a damn about the continued overcollection of EI premiums? It's been an issue for 20+ years.

The surplus is in the BILLIONS and impacts every employee in Canada. In fact, without drawing on $1.8B from the EI barrel, the Conservatives "Balanced Budget" wouldn't be balanced at all.

It was an issue with the Liberals, continues to be an issue with the Conservatives, but Canadians seem to ignore it. We're all wrapped up in meaningless TFSA limit squabbles to deal with an actual, real, tangible problem that hurts everyone.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

So Far we've got:

• Changed the colour of desert military uniforms.
• Implemented a GST tax cut that hurt the Canadian economy.
• Lowered the corporate tax rate increasing the federal deficit.
• Increased the federal deficit burden by raising the TFSA limit for Canada's wealthier and older citizens

Did I miss anything?

Yes. Lots. But you're not that interested. Why keep asking?

#503-couldn't agree more.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Yes. Lots.

It should be easy to name them, right?

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

It should be easy to name them, right?

It should be even easier to read what's already been written in this thread.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Flash, maybe stop trying to run for an office you're not actually running for. No one cares about your baiting. So stop cluttering up the thread with your posturing nonsense, because this is not actually adding anything to the discussion. You clearly have your view already and aren't at all interested in considering Harper as a candidate, nor is it anyone else's job to convince you to vote for a guy who you have no intention of voting for.

In other words, you're being obnoxious, cut it out.

[CroFlames]

Almost every individual I've talked to who has anything to do with financial transactions (mortgage brokers, financial advisers, economists) have said the TFSA was a good thing for low and middle income Canadians, and it does not harm the economy. I think it's generally accepted by most as a good idea.

The GST is a controversial one, but I'm of the belief that it was also a good thing, as are the individual tax credits folks can claim. More money in the pockets of individuals who are undertaking renos to improve a home's energy efficiency, putting children into sports and activities, etc is a good thing.

EDIT:

PS: To the guy who said conservatives are anti-science, please explain? Are they forcing creationism in schools now?

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

PS: To the guy who said conservatives are anti-science, please explain? Are they forcing creationism in schools now?

Here's a good summary up to Oct 2014:

http://scienceblogs.com/confessions/...al-indictment/

The list is so big that CP wouldn't even let me quote it.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

PS: To the guy who said conservatives are anti-science, please explain? Are they forcing creationism in schools now?

Anti-science (or "war on science" as was heard a fair bit for a while) is a bit of a buzz word but they have certainly done a few things that from the perspective of the scientific communicty would understandably be perceived as hostile. There are two broad categories: funding cuts and communications restrictions. Various scientific entities that are publicly funded were required to funnel public statements through political offices so that the Conservative party could control the message.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/hundr...cuts-1.2063474

[Jacks]

Not a fan of the home reno credit at all, not sure why the CPC would earmark that much money toward it, probably because it was popular before I guess. You won't hear the NDP or Libs complain too loud because they supported it before and complained when it was discontinued. Haven't read the Lib platform this election but last time around they had a reno tax credit of their own All parties have their own 'boutique' tax credits so let's not pretend it's a CPC thing.

[Street Pharmacist]

The reno tax credit was to help the crumbling construction industry after the recession

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

The Child Tax Credit does nothing to help me or the millions of Canadians without kids, but its still a good idea (we can argue about the implementation).

Don't forget that's taxable income people - you get the $800 now, and then are taxed on it next year

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Not a fan of the home reno credit at all, not sure why the CPC would earmark that much money toward it, probably because it was popular before I guess. You won't hear the NDP or Libs complain too loud because they supported it before and complained when it was discontinued. Haven't read the Lib platform this election but last time around they had a reno tax credit of their own All parties have their own 'boutique' tax credits so let's not pretend it's a CPC thing.

I think as a temporary measure everyone thought it was a good idea, but it's permanence is the issue here. The boutique credits have cropped up through Harper though, and while others might have them I have zero problem saying they are terrible regardless of the party.

[The Fonz]

Are personal finances of the candidates considered off limits?

[Bootsy]

Originally Posted by Jacks

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/lind...ound-1.3183999
Before NDP supporters dismiss this as the opinion of a single candidate, McQuaig is considered to be a star candidate, is on probably the biggest political show in the country speaking for the party and would surely be a contender for a cabinet post.

If people think the provincial NDP are hurting the oil and gas industry (which they certainly are not helping in a down cycle) it'll be a rude awakening if the Federal ones get in, they will do all they can do destroy it with their policies, especially without a Klein type leader to help defend against it, Notley will cave to whatever Mulcair puts through. Dark times in Alberta could get even darker.

[robbie111]

Originally Posted by Bootsy

If people think the provincial NDP are hurting the oil and gas industry (which they certainly are not helping in a down cycle) it'll be a rude awakening if the Federal ones get in, they will do all they can do destroy it with their policies, especially without a Klein type leader to help defend against it, Notley will cave to whatever Mulcair puts through. Dark times in Alberta could get even darker.

Now that Mulcair thinks he has a chance at seats in Alberta I think his tune will change drastically. It would do my heart good to see him have to suck up to Albertans and promise capital expenditures here. Bring on the goodies Thomas and don't scrimp.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

No, I don't think you're alone... No doubt your perspective is shared by many other NDP supporters.

Haha, that's #2. Once again, have never voted for them in my life. Obviously a tremendous supporter.

[CaptainCrunch]

I give credit to the Sun for their column on Elizabeth May today, I still don't think she's terrific, and her main role at the debates is to snipe since no one is going to listen to her policies because she's never going to win, but she did a good job at the debate.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I give credit to the Sun for their column on Elizabeth May today, I still don't think she's terrific, and her main role at the debates is to snipe since no one is going to listen to her policies because she's never going to win, but she did a good job at the debate.

The reason I don't like May is she hasn't been able to grow the brand at all in nearly 20 years. When the Greens first came out I thought they might build to something. I'm just tired of caring now. They're completely ineffectual. It doesn't matter if she makes any good points if she can't even achieve official party status.

That party either needs a complete shake up, or should just disband. There's no point for them.