B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair advocated raising taxes in his address to the British Columbia New Democratic Party's convention this morning.
“We need to look at the tax system and make it fair again,” said Sinclair, in a speech that received strong applause throughout and a standing ovation at its completion. “We need to get that wealth back from the people who can most afford to give it, the corporations and the wealthy.”
The government should only give tax cuts to corporations in situations where it gets something back in return, he said.
In making the argument he cited his former employer, Conrad Black, observing that Black's current incarceration may have made him more aware of the need for a better funded public sector.
In a National Post column yesterday Black said taxes should be raised in three areas, including “a serious gasoline tax” to encourage conservation, a tax on securities trades and merchant banking transactions, and a “wealth tax” to be used for anti-poverty projects.
Sinclair spoke at the convention an hour and a half before leader Carole James.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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Luke
2 years ago
Same Old, Same Old...
BC was one of the highest taxed jurisdictions in North America by the end of the NDP's reign in 2001. Quebec was the other.
And BC also became a "HAVE-NOT" province, essentially a federal welfare basket case.
Corporate head offices fled to Calgary due to the lower corporate tax rates and other tax rates (along with white-collar employment).
At least Manitoba New Democrat premier Gary Doer and his finance minister/successor Greg Sellinger "Get it" and that's why they are both successful as well as popular.
1. Manitoba corporate tax rates are set to decline to 11%, one of the lowest in Canada;
2. Manitoba corporate capital tax rates are also to be eliminated;
That's why the Manitoba New Democrats are successful - They govern as neo-liberals or small "l" liberals and are New Democrat in name only.
Instead of being hypocritical political opportunists, the more left-wing BC NDP should have a platform that increases carbon taxes, increases the HST, and increases corporate tax rates.
Then let the people decide.
Tax and spend. Same old BC NDP... with Sarah Palin, er, Carole James at the helm.
Skywalker
2 years ago
Same old, same old
Same old line from the neocons, feed the rich and a few crumbs will fall off the table to feed the rest. Luke's new version is feed the greedy corporation more so a little trickles down to the rest of the population. No wonder every stats can report shows that the few rich own the largest percentage of the countries wealth.
When the general voter starts to think about how the current state of affairs comes to pass, maybe the world will be a better place. Leaving people like Luke in charge is more of the same old,same old "take from the working poor sod to give to the rich parasites"
DPL
2 years ago
You mean Ms.James will be
You mean Ms.James will be allowed to speak? Try to keep track on how many times she contradicts herself.
seth
2 years ago
Leadership material?
Sinclair from the times I've heard him would be an excellent choice for NDP leader.
Maybe there is something I'm missing?
Luke's fascist friends gave us the current recession. We paid paid them a lot of money in salary and tax benefits and look what they gave us back. Dave Hahn - a classic. Nortel management just gave themselves another pay raise.
I say - make them disgorge their ill gotten gains. The top 1% has on an average $10 million in assets. Lets take 90% back - leave them enough for the golf club membership.
Frank
2 years ago
Brad
You're wrapped up in day to day politicking.
Try to step back and understand the big picture.
You tell me you're not right-wing but you've never demonstrated that. Your posts instead lack the balance you claim to have.
I think your political ideology consists of nothing more than disagreeing with the NDP.
Ramona777
2 years ago
Why Do They Need Millions?
My question is: what do millionaires spend their money on? A bigger house? A bigger SUV? A bigger diamond?
Those things must bring so much pleasure, right?
Surely the Thomsons, Jimmy Pattisons, Westons and all those other "generous" sorts can afford to pay a bit more taxes.
Put it into context.
A few billion would solve many diseases that kill the world's poor. Closer to home, those rich guys could do a lot of good rather than continue to build empires based on ego.
morechatter
2 years ago
Taxing the poor to death
It makes perfect cents that those that gain mostly from using up scarce resources pay the price.
But with greed as a major factor in the global market place those that got want it all, even if it means children are left dying in poverty and communities are left in disrepair. Its a big turn on for business, just ask Campbell when a country turns it backs on its citizens and focuses on big business and huge profits, its got to pay off for the big investors. Who does Canada attract as investors? Russia for one and its BAD CANADA when it comes to works like TILMA that support nasty pieces of work like the Oil Sands operations as Canada's Oil Sands is seen as one of the biggest threats to the global environment. No way to treat an environment so it kinda makes me wonder who you can possibly take serious when it comes to the environment, not the mayor. Canada's Prime Minister, he is the guy who sealed the deal with Suncor and put Bad Canada on the map. Klein was tipsy with delight as the pay off is big as Conservatives wifes receive gifts of shares from investors but was not considered a conflict of interest. Imagine that.
Klein makes his own rules, but funny thing is so does Campbell as human rights to the Liberals is "You have the right to remain silent." I wonder if Campbell got that speech when being arrested for drunk driving? Probably wise to keep your mouth shut under those circumstances, especially if your homeless because the police wouldn't think twice indoing you in themselves. And that is the real irony of the law that has police arrest people to take them to a safe place. Like anyone of the homeless would feel safe with the police, not happening its a recipe for death not to prevent it.
I guess there is no law against politicians running the country while intoxicated. If so, Klein would still be locked up and British Colombians would all be signed up for premier alcohol abuse.
Sorry off subject but taxing those that got instead of those that don't its the way to go for positive change as no good with come out of all this greed as its bubble, bubble, toil and trouble ahead for many British Colombians as the greedy have decided citizens need to pay up for all their mistakes, even if it means children will be dying in poverty.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12400801/ns/business-oil_and_energy/
morechatter
2 years ago
I rest my case
The police are far more of a threat to the homeless than any cold weather as the homeless can also be found in emergancy wards after encountering city police.
http://www.primetimecrime.com/Recent/Police/BC%20Police.htm
BC is also being sued by homeless man's family in US who was fatily shot for simply carrying an artists tool. Why all this, well this is what greed gets you corrupt politicians that will do anything for a buck include wipe out any hopes for anykind of future for innocent children while stripping citizens down and out of their rights and dignity. We can do better and it is no wonder the world economy is in the state it is in as big business and sell out power hungry politicians will do anything to stay in power.
Jim DeLaHunt
2 years ago
Copy editor, you missed a typo
Copy editor, you missed a typo. In paragraph 4, I believe "sited" should read "cited".
Sorry for being pedantic...