From KWS article on GPC Costed Platform: reducing the income gap
Green Party’s Policies for 2025 : Summary and Comment
From the introduction of the Green Party’s fully costed 2025 platform of April 17th: “… This platform is not a collection of slogans or half-measures. It’s a plan to transform the systems that shape our lives — because nothing short of transformation will meet the moment we’re in. It tackles the root causes .….
“We believe in a Canada that stands on its own feet, takes care of its people, and leads with courage and conviction. Where food, housing, and health care aren’t treated as privileges, but as essentials. Where Indigenous rights are not a line in a speech, but a lived and legal reality. Where we are a truly bilingual country, ready to engage with the world. Where no one is left waiting for care, priced out of their neighbourhood, or punished for being poor. We believe in a Canada where your ability to live a good life doesn’t depend on your income, your race, your gender, your mobility, or where you live. Where public money serves the public good. Where everyone has what they need to live in dignity — from a guaranteed income to a place to call home.”
The Parliamentary Budget Officer, (PBO), cost estimates this year include ten revenue streams. The two largest are the introduction of a financial transaction tax of 0.2% and a bracketed wealth tax on the ultra rich (starting after $10 million). The total revenues over four years for just these two measures are $ 237,273 million, and $ 121,479 million respectively. The largest single additional expense by far, is the increase of the Basic Personal Amount (BPA) from $16,129 to $40,000 for individuals with net income less than $100,000. The PBO estimates this expense to cost $277,209 million over four years.
The financial transaction tax of 0.2% is considered by some to be long overdue and sensible. The additional benefit of this tax is to discourage undue amounts of speculation on the market. Less speculation is desired in volatile times.
Of course the Greens also have serious plans to end reliance on fossil fuels by 2050, simplify financial assistance with a Guaranteed Liveable Income, fully fund and fix the Canada Disability Benefit, make tuition free, fund research, make big polluters pay, and introduce electoral reform so that every vote counts.
However, the urgent need is to reduce our large and increasing income gap by raising up the bottom for many and small businesses, and by lowering the top for the few and large corporations. We have seen the gap between our richest and poorest widen over the decades and reducing that gap will reflect a stronger and resilient nation. When we all feel secure, we will be more than able to meet the challenges ahead, together.
I know that similar promises have been made by other parties, but we also know about promises made in elections. More Green MPs are needed to ensure promises are kept for the short term and for the future. Greens have made an impact because of our long-view leadership and policies. More Greens can make a bigger difference.
If elected, I pledge to be your servant, to keep you informed, to work hard with others to push the new government to keep its promises, and for Canada to meet its promise.
Ann Raney
c 416-825-4275
ann.raney@greenparty.ca
details and links available at kvgreens.ca
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