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What's this?

The issue: Tax fairness in the North

The Northern Residents Tax Deduction (NRTD) was created in 1987 as a measure to offset the high cost of living in the territories and remote parts of the provinces.  Residents of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and sections of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia may apply for the deduction.

 

Why is it an issue?

 

On average Northern households spend $15,000 more per year on living essentials than other Canadians.  In the 20 years since the NRTD was first introduced inflation has risen 65%.  Meanwhile, the deduction has not increased by one cent. This means the buying power of the maximum deduction available for the residency portion has shrunk from $5,475 in 1987 to $ 2,463.75 today.

 

Despite Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s words of concern about the North, his government has done little to better the lives of Northern working families.  Finance Canada reports that the NRTD accounts for on average $132.5 million in lost revenue out of a budget of $200 billion. This figure includes both the residency deduction and the travel deduction. The majority of this lost revenue comes from the provinces, with the territories each reporting about $13 million in lost revenue. Meanwhile, it has been estimated that an increase of $1,000 to the deduction would put about $3 million back into the pockets of Northerners.

 

When the Minister of Finance James Flaherty announced an increase to the Capital Gains Exemption as part of Budget 2007 he said the increase was overdue as it has been nearly 20 years since the exemption was increased. He and the Conservative government ignored the fact that it has been 20 years and counting since the Northern Residents Tax Deduction was increased and Northerners got some tax fairness. 

 

What can you do about this issue?

 

Ask your MP and candidates for office:

 

If your party is elected to form a government, will you pledge to

  • bring tax fairness to the working families of the North by increasing the Northern Residents Tax Deduction by 50% immediately; and
  • index the NRTD to a Northern inflation measurement.

 

A 50% increase would raise the maximum residency deduction to $8212.50, while indexing would ensure that it would maintain its relevance as an offset to the high cost of living in the North.

 

Send a letter to the Minister of Finance

 

AND, sign the petition that is circulating in your community or print the petition below, gather signatures and return to the PSAC office in Whitehorse, Yellowknife or Iqaluit by September 1, 2007.

 


NRTD_PETITION.pdfNRTD_PETITION.pdf


Vision of PSAC North

PSAC North unifies all members into an inclusive, accessible,informed and active union movement across Canada’s North. 

We identify and act on pan-Northern issues of concern to members, the labour movement and the broader community, in partnership with like-minded organizations.


PSAC North News Releases

Click here for PSAC North News Releases.


National Board of Directors' Committee Membership

Click document below for details.

XO_15_NBoD_Committee_July_2007_Amended.docXO_15_NBoD_Committee_July_2007_Amended.doc


E-mail the Minister of Finance and Your MP about the Northern Residents Tax Deduction

Yukon

NWT

Nunavut


REVP North Office

Regional Executive Vice-President's Office
PO Box 2316
4916- 49th Street, 2nd Floor Northway Building
Yellowknife NT  X1A 2P7

Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, REVP
Phone: (867) 669-0991
Fax: (867) 669-0379
E-mail: Deslauj@psac.com

Kim Bailey, Executive Assistant to REVP
Phone:  (867) 669-0991
Fax: (867) 669-0379
E-mail: Baileyk@psac.com

Office Hours:  Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


PSAC North Inquiries

The REVP's Office is the northern political action wing of the union, whereas the Regional Office is responsible for collective bargaining, member education, political action, strike mobilization and oversees the equity committees.

For more information please contact the PSAC Regional Office at 1 800 661 0870.

 


REVP Schedule 2007

March 31 - April 7  Whitehorse - Regional Activities
April 8 - April 12 Ottawa - NAIM Circle Meetings

 


PSAC North Executive Committee Meetings

Click here for PSAC North Executive Committee Meetings and information.



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