SaskPoliticker discusses recommendations for tax reform from Alex Laurin and Nick Dahir of the C.D. Howe Institute, after delivering speech in Regina

“Recently the C.D. Howe Institute hosted a two-day tax policy conference. Out of this meeting came a long-overdue proposal to address Canada’s addiction to income taxes.”

“As these two researchers have suggested, Canada is an average-tax nation, but relies heavily on income taxes when compared to other industrialized nations. Doing so has hindered economic development in Canada for decades.”

“The result of the particular reform recommended here, which we will implement if the CCF and its electoral partners are elected, would be to increase the after-tax return on investments, attracting investment, expanding capital stock and economic development.”

“Lower income taxes will also boost labour productivity and reduce tax avoidance, while increasing saving, adding capital for loans and investments, facilitating increased entrepreneurship and risk-taking.”

“Raising similar revenue on more efficient taxes means Canadians earn more for less. Eliminating inefficiencies allows us to cut taxes and increase spending all at once, while keeping the books in balance.”

“Estimates from the University of Calgary suggest this policy will produce increased GDP growth of $4.5 Billion per year. Investment in Canada has been stagnant since the 2014 commodity price collapse, but the CCF, working in partnership with experts and industry, can deliver the innovative policy solutions that can once again make Canada a prosperous nation.”

“This is just another example of how the CCF will use Common-Sense to build Common-Wealth in a Co-operative Canada.”