During a conversation with a financial
Because it involves politics, money and a
expert, who also happens to be a local
dash of ideology, fiscal management is
municipal councillor, The Issue inevitably
always a fascinating mix. Those left on the
cropped up.
right wing of the political spectrumespouse
“I have no idea how much money you
tight-fistedpolicies;die-hardsocialistswould
earn but I know how much taxes you pay,”
contend the State should nationalize
he bragged.
everything. In the crowded middle, folks
Not waiting for an answer, he provided
would suggest that all policies should be
the punch line: “Too much.”
moderate in order to maintain a caring and
He was right, of course. A penny of tax is
kindsociety.ThatisaveryCanadianattitude,
Working for ourselves
toomuch. It is The Issue that unites all of us.
eh?
We may differ on other important topics,
Taxes – can’t live with them, can’t live
such as hockey, the weather, the abundance
and lavish spending habits.
Whichbringsustofreedom,asinfreedom
without them.
of deer flies. But everyone who pays taxes
Here are some interesting facts.
from paying taxes.
Fortunately, there is no tax on
thinks he or she pays too much.
The latest Tax FreedomDay in Canadian
This year in Canada Tax Freedom Day
complaining – yet.
Occasionally,peopleprotestpublicly.But
history was in 2000, when it fell on June 24,
arrived June 6, two days later than in 2010,
taxes are a lot like the weather, death and
almost two months later than in 1961, the
according to the Fraser Institute, a think
Missing a truck liner?
flies – you can talk about them, but there is
earliest year for which the calculation has
tankwhocalculatesthedaywhenCanadians
newsroom@eap.on.ca
little you can do about them.
been made.
have earned enough to pay all federal,
H AWKESBURY
This expert-councillor observed that the
The earliest provincial Tax FreedomDay
provincial and municipal taxes. The June 6
best we can hope for is that the powers that
fell on May 18 in Alberta.
date isanational average.Actually, freedom
be keep our tax rates affordable. Of course,
Every politician pledges to keep taxes
arrivedJune4inOntariothisyear,compared
Would the owner of a truck liner that
everyone has a different take on what is
“low.”
to June 3 last year, and June 10 in Québec,
landed inaditch inChamplainTownship
considered “affordable.”
But the institute argues that
taxes are
compared to June 6 in 2010.
please call police?
Across Ontario, municipalities have
hardly low. Income taxes account for only
The later arrival of Tax Freedom Day in
AcitizencalledtheHawkesburyOntario
finalized their property tax bills for another
about one-third of the total taxes we pay.
2011isprimarilyduetoCanada’simproving
Provincial Police detachment after finding
year. Some ratepayers may actually be
Add property taxes, sales taxes, profit taxes,
economy, Fraser Institute economists say.
a pick-up truck liner across from his
getting some good news. If their assessment
health taxes, social security taxes, alcohol
When the economy recovers and incomes
residenceonCountyRoad17 inChamplain
has not increased, and if their tax rate has
taxes, tobacco taxes, fuel taxes and many
increase, a family’s tax loadtends to increase
Township. If you have information about
been frozen or dropped, the 2011 bottom
others to the mix and the average Canadian
to a greater extent. That is partly due to our
this incident or if you are the owner of the
line may be similar to the 2010 hit. But, in
will pay $39,900 in taxes (42.6 per cent of
progressive tax system and because of
lost liner, call Constable Pascal David at
most cases, taxes are rising by about three
income) in 2011.
consumption increases, which result in an
613-632-2729.
per cent, or the rate of inflation. That is all
As they say, “our future has been
increase in the amount of sales and other
good, if everyone’s incomes also rise by the
mortgaged.”Astaxpayerswemustpaytaxes
consumption taxes we pay.
Take a kid to the course
same amount to keep pace with the rising
tosupportoperatingcosts,andtokeepslowly
The institute, of course, is not pleased
cost of everything.
whittle down our debts.
with our governments’ spending policies.
newsroom@eap.on.ca
Income and property taxes are easy to
But there are different views on how our
In2011, the federal government andmost
A LEXANDRIA
see, but there are all those hidden charges
money is to be handled, and what
provincial governmentsare runningbudget
that are just lurking around, waiting to
expenditures should be priorities. Do we
deficits. Since today’s deficits must one day
pounce on unsuspecting consumers.
reduceoperatingcoststochannelmorefunds
be paid for by taxes, deficits should be
The Glengarry Golf and Country Club
Talking about taxes can be taxing.
towards reducing long-term debt?
considered as deferred taxation. Had
in Alexandria hosts Take A Kid To The
But, to help you de-stress, consider the
The institute advocates toughmeasures -
Canadian governments increased taxes to
Course July 4 to 10.
happy concept that if you are paying taxes,
cutspending,balancethebudget,lowertaxes.
balance theirbudgets, theaverageCanadian
On those days, children under the age of
youought tobepleasedbecause this burden
Waiting years to eliminate the deficit will
family would have worked until June 21 to
16, who are accompanied by an adult, play
is a sign that you are doing well financially.
only burden Canadians with higher
pay the tax bill.
for free. Also, participants have a chance to
Moneydoesnotbuyhappiness, however,
government debt, increased interest
Yes, but that would have left us less
win a golf trip to The Lodge at Ventana
it does come in handy when you need to
payments and ultimately higher taxes, the
disposable income, a key factor in markets
Canyon
in
Tucson.
Visit
procure the basic necessities of life.
organization warns.
that rely heavily on consumer confidence,
www.kidsgolffree.ca.
23 900 copies
c’est
livrées chaque semaine, nombre vérifié et
certifié
par
SAMSON BÉLAIR / DELOITTE & TOUCHE
Pour plus de renseignements, communiquez avec Gilles Normand au 613 632-4151.
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