10 Comments

I will never support equalization transfer payments. This scheme simply supports the status quo, lowers innovation, allow Canadians to stay put in their own province rather than move to where the prosperity is located. Similar to 50 years of subsidies for Cape Breton Coal, poor management, operating at a loss will continue as long as the subsidies keep coming.

Subsidizing anything in perpetuity create dependancy, Subsidizing should always be temporary.

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funds comes from Ottawa’s general revenue with mostly taxes generated by Alberta but Alberta gets nothing that sounds fair? NOPE.

Quebec not including revenue from hydro Quebec thereby became a have not province sounds fair? NOPE.

With all these taxes coming from Alberta you think Ottawa give them a break with less red tape? NOPE.

With all these money coming from Alberta via Ottawa you think Quebec give a break to Alberta for the Energy East Pipeline? NOPE.

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The revenue from Hydro Quebec should be shared, also when CNR and Air Canada privatized their CHARTER says they MUST stay in the province, putting taxes, HQ jobs there. If they separate it will be embarrassing for them to keep the national railway and airline of Canada..

The reason rents are not included is that there has been until recently a huge surplus of houses in Quebec, even today rents are 30-50% lower than the rest of Canada(electricity about 50% of Ont). The reason for so many houses was approx 600,000 political refugees fled from Quebec in the 1980's

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Get rid of it, reduces taxes and have people focus on building value instead of scheming for Government money.

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To add to the insult since daycare is not considered an expense for equalization purposes and the money given to 1 province is used to subsize daycare at $5 a day (now $8) while $100 a day is not uncommon in parts of Canada its an unfair advantage. When you say its to help single parents, while an unmarried couple are not considered married for tax purposes, so them and their chum easily qualify. Over 1/2 the population do not marry in that province, one reason being taxes and benefits. This was challenged and lost in the courts to ensure the transfers continued when Guy Laliberte, the founder of Cirque did NOT have to pay 1 cent in alimony to his Chum after 15+ years and 3 children when they split. (child support only, zero alimony)

Guy Laliberté and Rizia Moreira

The Cirque du Soleil founder has the upper hand in a domestic settlement with his Brazilian common-law partner, with whom he has three children. Quebec Superior Court threw out Moreira's request for a $50 million lump sum and alimony payments. Since the couple was never legally married, the woman has no legal rights under Quebec law.

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Quebec is actually trying to bring in a ceremony where you will be considered married for Quebec benefits and use around the world, but it wont impact Canadian transfer payments. My step son who lives in Quebec is trying to get it done because they are having a kid and travel to Greece a lot. Its neat when you arent married, much lower taxes paid to Canada and you can use the equivalent to spouse deductions for kids. Saves a bundle in taxes...PLUS Higher Transfer payments..

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If it doesn’t work for Alberta. Sounds great from the Quebec perspective I’m sure.

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Its great, its like the kid living in the basement complaining that their mother isnt washing his clothes quick enough and his father doesnt keep enough beer in the fridge...

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Transfer payments have been hacked, things like electricity cost, rent, daycare and the ability for 2 people to live together without being considered married for tax purposes allow 1 province to not count the lower cost of living for most things and also show much lower family incomes. Eg a mother and father with 2 kids living together can show up as 2 struggling single parents. The huge transfer payments allow a much higher % of their residents to winter in warmer climates. Without these large payments presumably federal taxes could be reduced, instead, I can’t afford to winter in Florida because my high taxes fund others to do it.

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Wow! there's a lot of ppl who disagree with you.

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