Each year during the holidays almost everyone makes a list. For some it's a wish list of Christmas presents to receive. For others, it's a list of what to buy. Still others make lists of New Year's resolutions. So Walter Robinson, director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, was inspired to come up with this list of taxpayer wishes.
NO. 10
- A legislated schedule of debt reduction. With our national debt still hovering at $565 billion -- $18,000 for every woman, man and child in Canada -- a more resolute approach is needed to tackle this beast. While Minister Martin's $12.3 billion payment this year and planned $10 billion debt repayment next year are welcome, we need to move beyond one-off yearly payments and implement a legislated, multi-year plan to pay down debt in the next half century. It would a gift that would keep on giving for future generations of taxpayers.
NO. 9
- Reversing the tax treatment of charities and political parties. It is offensive that the first $200 you donate to charity nets you a paltry 17% tax credit treatment while the same donation to a political party racks up a 75% tax credit. Surely this is an undeserving lump of coal that has been dumped on our charitable sector. Time to change it.
NO. 8
- An end to corporate welfare. The feds still dole out some $4 billion in business subsidies and various loan schemes each and every year. Mr. Trudeau once said the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation; the same is true for the 'boardrooms of the nation.'
NO. 7
- Whistle-blower protection legislation. Allowing public servants to speak out in the public interest without fear of internal recriminations would be another step on the road to open government.
NO. 6
- Respect for the officers of Parliament. Each year the Auditor General, the Privacy Commissioner and the Information Commissioner produce important reports that are met with, at best, feigned concern, or more often, brutally dismissive indifference if not contempt by our elected representatives. It's wrong.
NO. 5
- Honesty in the health care debate. Canadians are way ahead of their politicians on this file. It's time to address the real demographic, utilization and technological pressures that will expose the flaws in our medicare system which is unsustainable given its current pay-as-you-go (Read: Pyramid scheme) funding structure. This debate is not about ideology, it's about arithmetic and the future doesn't add up.
NO. 4
- Continued vigour on the tax relief front. Minister Martin and many of his provincial colleagues are on the right track, but current tax relief proposals must be seen as a beginning and not an end. With the ascendancy of George W. Bush to the White House, his $1.3 trillion tax cut package, combined with tax cut plans in Germany and Japan, will pressure Canada to once again accelerate and deepen its plans.
NO. 3
- Movement toward a new voting system. Our first-past-the-post electoral system where 40% of voters can elect a party to win 60% of Commons seats and exercise 100% power is archaic and undemocratic. Options for reform include proportional representation, or mixed-member proportional or preferential ballots … it's time to discuss the need for change and the merits of other systems.
NO. 2
- Warmer weather. Well, it was worth a try.
NO. 1
- A joyous and peaceful Christmas break for politicians and their families. Despite our pointed criticism of many politicians and their policies throughout the year, we try to ensure that it never becomes personal. There remains a great deal of nobility in public life and we are grateful that women and men at all levels of government have stepped forward to serve and to govern a sometimes fractious and demanding nation. Thank you for your tireless service.