Flat taxes, corporate tax cuts suggested

OSHAWA — Don Barta worked a lot of overtime before he retired and has a pension, so he’s doing OK.

But, the local man says many retirees aren’t so lucky.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who are barely making it,” he said. “One thing that might really help, is if they could get money out of their RRSPs at a reduced rate.”

Mr. Barta was among about 20 people who gathered at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium on Jan. 20, to talk finances with Oshawa MP Colin Carrie, in advance of the federal budget.

Mr. Barta suggested the cost to withdraw from RRSPs should be aligned with a person’s income or the amount they had managed to save in their retirement savings plan.

The small but vocal group that showed up for the MP’s pre-budget public consultation had plenty of ideas for reducing financial strain on cash-strapped Canadians.

Glen McKnight shocked the audience by saying he believes in “more taxes, not less,” but went on to clarify that they should be placed on things like junk foods and foods containing trans fats, as a way of improving the health of Canadians and shifting the tax burden.

Small business owner Tom Kelly wants to see all corporate income tax and corporate subsidies eliminated, and the personal tax exemption rate raised to $36,000. He also recommended two flat tax rates, one for people making $36,000 to $100,000 and one for those above the $100,000 benchmark.

“We should only be taxing those people who can afford it,” he said.

Mr. Kelly was also quick to chastise Mr. Carrie for his government’s decision to prorogue parliament, a sentiment raised several times over the course of the evening.

Other suggestions from the public included more focus on green jobs and home improvement grants and more funding for the Oshawa harbour.

Larry Ladd, an outspoken advocate for Oshawa’s waterfront, implored the Conservative government to kill the subsidies that could make an ethanol plant at the Oshawa port a reality.

Mr. Carrie said he was disappointed by the small turnout for the event, but pleased to hear such diverse suggestions.

“It’s nice to see that some people are engaged, I was really interested in things like different forms of taxation,” he said.

The MP reiterated that his government has committed to balance the federal budget, but wouldn’t elaborate on how that will be achieved, except to say there will be no tax increases.

Asked if that means program cuts are in order, Mr. Carrie said “everyone is going to be expected to tighten their belt a little.”