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November 06, 2006
What is fair?
The Finance minister of Canada announced the plan to allow the tax-splitting for pensions which would be benefitial for families with one high income (pension) earner. Immediately this measure was condemned as not fair' because only pairs where one spouse has much higher pension than other would benefit from this and gives nothing tothe most vulnerable’. Among accusers is some Professor of
Economics, teaching tax law.
This is ridiculous!
1) These people do not distinguish between fairness' andcompassion’. Fairness means that for the same services everyone pays the same amount. And since all Canadians receive approximately the same services from the government, the fair tax would be even not flat rate' but justflat’. Surely, this is impossible. Tax is based mainly on the ability to pay. However this is not a fairness, this is a compassion. The system should strike a fine balance between the fairness and compassion.
2) If single-earners families were treated unfairly for many years it is not fair to continue this practice. Any step in the correct direction is fair.
At this moment income-splitting is announced only for pensions. This is not fair! It should cover all incomes of all the families. If there are no money in the budget, the fair share levy should be introduced.
Posted by Victor at November 6, 2006 04:00 AM