Dion would scrap Harper's next GST cut

i say despite all scrape the gst entirely ... however, if you find the need to find 'good social policy' then give lower income families more of a tax credit on the gst and / or give these lower income families a grant to retrofit their homes to reduce heating ect. further more, i oppose to having to pay gst on kids clothing or other essential household items, along with books ect.

Dion would scrap Harper's next GST cut
January 12, 2007 CanWest News Service; Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - A Liberal government would scrap the next GST cut and instead introduce tax incentives to encourage the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, Grit Leader Stephane Dion said Thursday. ... Instead, he would introduce tax measures that would encourage people to choose appliances that conserve electricity, cars that use the least amount of gas and for retrofitting homes to reduce heating fuel consumption. ... ''(The GST cut) is $5.5 billion out of the economy every year and it will not transform the economy and it is not a good social policy,'' Dion said. ... ''We want to make a link between your wallet and the planet,'' he said, adding that such measures will be part of the party's next election platform. ''It's the way you change the culture.''

Dion would scrap Harper's next GST cut
January 12, 2007 CanWest News Service; Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - A Liberal government would scrap the next GST cut and instead introduce tax incentives to encourage the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, Grit Leader Stephane Dion said Thursday.

On his first visit to Edmonton since becoming leader, Dion met with Premier Ed Stelmach, addressed a University of Alberta audience, met with party officials, as well as the Edmonton Journal editorial board.

Dion said a Liberal government would do its part to reduce global warming - and that the effort would likely be beneficial to the Alberta economy by encouraging new research and innovation.

He told the university audience that he would not follow through with a promise by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reduce the GST to five per cent, from six per cent, by 2011.

''(The GST cut) is $5.5 billion out of the economy every year and it will not transform the economy and it is not a good social policy,'' Dion said.

Instead, he would introduce tax measures that would encourage people to choose appliances that conserve electricity, cars that use the least amount of gas and for retrofitting homes to reduce heating fuel consumption.

''We want to make a link between your wallet and the planet,'' he said, adding that such measures will be part of the party's next election platform. ''It's the way you change the culture.''

Scott Hennig, Alberta director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said he doesn't think tax incentives are needed to promote environmental responsibility.

He said people already have good reason to get new furnaces and windows in their homes because the cost of natural gas is so high.

''Why you would use the tax code to entice people to do things they're already enticed to do is beyond me,'' Hennig said.