Alberta PST discussion

[Red]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Minimum wage is what I'd probably define as the working poor. That's the group that I'm concerned about.

In terms of a mean of 58k, it would be interesting to know if that number is caused by upward drag.

Those are mostly students, kids, Walmart Greeters or foreigners working at McD. It's tough, but it's not like these people are the bread winners in their respective families.

IMO it's the 40K factory workers that have families that need the break. Not students or high income earners.
I don't support PST because it hurts the low earners more. They spend every dollar they make so they are essentially taxed on all of their income. Rich only spend a fraction so the PST never hits the rest of their money

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Red

Those are mostly students, kids, Walmart Greeters or foreigners working at McD. It's tough, but it's not like these people are the bread winners in their respective families.

IMO it's the 40K factory workers that have families that need to break. Not students or high income earners.

Students are some of the highest debt carriers in the country, they absolutely need a break.

The average university student leaves campus with close to $28,000 in debt, and takes an average of 14 years to pay it off based on an average starting salary of $39,523, the survey suggested.

RateSupermarket.ca averaged entry level salaries for positions students are likely to get fresh out of school, plus a 3% annual increase. However, the survey does not account for tough job market conditions and unemployment.

Using Statistics Canada numbers from 2000, the survey suggested tuition costs today are $8,500 higher.

“Every part of the post-secondary experience has become more expensive, and when you take into account accrued interest on student debt and inflation, the results are quite shocking,” said Mr. Mangaroo.

The basement dwellers can expect their schooling to set them back a more modest $35,000.

“If the cost of living away at university continues to increase we can expect a lot more people to consider living at home as a viable option.”

RateSupermarket.ca also tracks mortgage trends in Canada. Mr. Mangaroo says university grads may be forced to hold off on big purchases like houses and cars.

“The average student graduates at 23 or 24, they’re looking to pay that off by 37 or 38,” said Mr. Mangaroo.

“As the housing market continues to increase it’s becoming much harder for first time buyers to get a mortgage,” he said. “Coupled with lingering student debt, life is getting harder and harder for young people.”

This is bad.

[Red]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Students are some of the highest debt carriers in the country, they absolutely need a break.



This is bad.

We all do, let's not kid ourselves.
But if you need to decide between feeding a young family with kids or a student who is getting university education and likely living at home....well. Not really a contest.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Red

We all do, let's not kid ourselves.
But if you need to decide between feeding a young family with kids or a student who is getting university education and likely living at home....well. Not really a contest.

I guess I don't see where the choice factor comes in.

We can give cuts to both with a progressive taxation system.

[Red]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I guess I don't see where the choice factor comes in.

We can give cuts to both with a progressive taxation system.

True that. I guess we arrived here trying to define what a working poor person that needs more help is. In the end both can use a break.

[4X4]

I just want to say thanks to the contributors of this thread for keeping it civil, and for the good debating. I've honestly not spent much time thinking about this topic in the past, so reading this thread has been pretty enlightening on both sides of the argument. Five star thread.

[KevanGuy]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Wow, I'd love to live in a world where I found it appropriate to use the term 'only' in front of $850 million.

No kidding. That $850 mill would go a long way to building the Calgary Cancer Centre that is so badly needed.