harper you take the bus

Harper promises public transit tax break
Last Updated Thu, 29 Dec 2005 13:09:14 EST
CBC News

Canadians who use public transit will be eligible for a tax credit under a Conservative government, party leader Stephen Harper said Thursday.

People who buy monthly public transit passes will be given a tax credit of 16 per cent, saving the average user about $150 per year, Harper said in Vancouver while campaigning for the Jan. 23 federal election.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper speaking at a news conference in Vancouver, BC.

"The question is not whether to support public transit, but how we can encourage ridership."
Harper said he used transit frequently when he was a "working man" in a number of Canadian cities. He said his tax credit incentive could increase ridership by 25 to 50 per cent.

The tax credit would also reduce pollution and greenhouse gases, said the Conservative leader.
Harper said the announcement doesn't replace funding of public transit infrastructure, and that he would address that in an future policy announcement.

At the same campaign event, Harper attacked Liberal support for the Kyoto Protocol, which permits buying emissions credits from other countries to meet Canada's greenhouse gas reduction targets.

"Buying pollution credits is folly; it doesn't help the environment," said Harper. "Instead of using tax dollars to buy credits overseas, we'll use them at home."