On Parliament Hill

I was delighted to read a report released by the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) in May of this year. This report confirms that our Conservative Government has put $30 billion in tax relief back into Canadian pockets. This has benefited low-middle income families the most with the middle class particularly benefiting from our reduction in the GST.

The PBO report studied our tax regime changes between 2005 and 2013. Considering that our Conservative Government was in power for most of that time with the exception of one year, I am proud of our achievement.

Under our Conservative Government the average family of four will save nearly $3,400 dollars in taxes this year; the net worth of families is up over 44%, and even the New York Times says we have the most affluent middle class in the world.

Out of the three largest components of federal tax revenue the report focussed on personal income taxes and the GST/HST. The report stated that Canadians are paying Ottawa about $30 billion less this year due to tax changes introduced in the past decade.

The lion’s share of the tax savings has gone to low middle income earners. Personal income taxes have been cut by about $17.1 billion while the two-percentage point cut in the GST has resulted in a $13.3 billion saving this year. The report states:

Cumulative tax changes since 2005 have been progressive overall and most greatly impact low-middle income earners (households earning between $12,200 and $23,300), effectively resulting in a 4.0 per cent increase in after-tax income.

Meanwhile the Liberal Party led by Justin Trudeau has the same old high-tax, high-spending agenda that will threaten jobs and set working families back. I want to assure you that your Conservative Government remains focused on creating savings for Canadians. Let the record speak for itself, we have helped middle-class Canadians save more of their hard earned money.