Day 3 is winding down in Election 2011 (#elxn41 for those in the Twitterverse), and it seems that the issues are slowly starting to make an appearance. Yes, Mr. Harper is still referencing the coalition frequently in his remarks. However, with the Conservative's announcement of their income splitting initiative we saw debate on a matter of policy. Cue the applause.
This is an interesting, and potentially expensive proposal. Allowing families to shift income from higher to lower earners offers the potential for a family to lower their overall tax burden. So far, so good right?
Yes, but there is some fine print:
- proposal would not be implemented until 2015-2016, once the deficit has been eliminated (and potentially after the mandate we are currently being implored to provide has passed).
- proposal would favour families with only one earner and those which currently have one earner in a higher tax bracket.
- proposal would not apply to single-parent families.
These limitations do not necessarily make this a bad idea. What they do is open up a topic for discussion. Let's hear your thoughts!
1. What are your views on the idea of income splitting?
2. To whom should it apply?
3. By when and under what conditions?
Share your comments, start a dialogue...
As an aside, for those of you who have not read Susan Delacourt's blog lately, please do so (http://thestar.blogs.com/politics/). In commenting on social media and good humour shared among those covering elections, she noted that those of us who close our eyes and jump in will get to share in this humour. Today was a great example, as comments on the 2015-2016 start date for this proposal flooded Twitter (thanks in particular to @scottfeschuk).
So with that, a little less coalition, a little more on the issues please.
Thoughts?
7 years ago
