In Welland, Ontario today Stephen Harper said, “we should not increase taxes” to deal with his record $56-billion deficit.
Reality:
Stephen Harper has introduced a secret $15-billion payroll tax on employees and employers.
By one estimate, Canadians will see their EI premiums rise by $1264 for the average two income family and $8884 for a small business with 10 employees.
Increasing payroll taxes is a tax hike – period.
As the economist who vetted the Conservatives’ election platform said, “The government may not call it a tax, but if it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck,” (Dale Orr, Canadian Press, October 7, 2009).
