Close X
Monday, December 2, 2024
ADVT 
National

Will Tax Measures Benefiting All Families Benefit Federal Political Leaders?

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Apr, 2015 12:17 PM

    OTTAWA — When the prime minister says the government's new tax package will benefit all Canadian families with children under 18, will that include his own?

    Stephen Harper isn't saying.

    A spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office won't discuss whether Harper himself intends to take advantage of the new income-splitting rules or the expanded child care benefit, for which his family is eligible.

    Stephen Lecce would only repeat the government's preferred talking point: "All Canadian families with children will benefit and save from the tax package we announced last fall."

    Harper would qualify for the maximum $2,000 tax credit if he split his $327,000 income with his wife, Laureen.

    He'd also qualify to claim the child care benefit of $60 for his 16-year-old daughter; his son turned 18 last year so the Harpers missed the cut-off to claim the benefit for him. 

    Justin Trudeau earns $219,300 a year as Liberal leader, on top of royalties and investments that are left from his father.

    He too could qualify for a maximum $2,000 if he split his income with his wife, Sophie Gregoire. Trudeau, however, said he won't be taking advantage.

    "I don't need it and I'm certainly not going to be applying for it."

    With three children under the age of six, Trudeau also currently qualifies to receive the $100 per month in child care benefits, which is set to rise to $160 per month.

    If elected, the Liberals have said they would reverse the income splitting plan, but have not made the same pledge about the child care benefit.

    The income splitting program is estimated to only benefit 15 per cent of Canadian families.

    Among those who can't qualify is NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, whose children are both grown.

    His party has also said they'd scrap the income splitting plan if elected.

    What political leaders do or don't claim on their taxes isn't a matter of public record, unlike in the United States, where the White House publishes the a detailed breakdown of the president's financials.

    The federal ethics commissioner does publish a summary of some financial information for the leaders.

    The latest registry information indicates Harper holds a mortgage from the Bank of Nova Scotia, while the file for Trudeau lists the numbered corporations which manage his investments.

    Before becoming Liberal leader, Trudeau had voluntarily disclosed his entire net worth and the source of his income, which includes an inheritance from his father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, who had set up the corporations for his own portfolio.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Surrey Sting: 13 Arrested For Drugs And Weapons Offences

    Surrey Sting: 13 Arrested For Drugs And Weapons Offences
    SURREY, B.C. — Over a dozen people face a total of 66 drug and firearm charges after months-long investigation by RCMP in Surrey, B.C.

    Surrey Sting: 13 Arrested For Drugs And Weapons Offences

    Two Men Fined $30 Million, Banned From Markets For B.C. Investor Fraud

    Two Men Fined $30 Million, Banned From Markets For B.C. Investor Fraud
    VANCOUVER — The B.C. Securities Commission has permanently banned two men from the province's capital markets over what it says was one of the largest cases of fraud in British Columbia history.

    Two Men Fined $30 Million, Banned From Markets For B.C. Investor Fraud

    Charges Stayed Against Semi Driver Harjit Lotay In Surrey Crash That Killed Const. Adrian Oliver

    Charges Stayed Against Semi Driver Harjit Lotay In Surrey Crash That Killed Const. Adrian Oliver
    Const. Adrian Oliver died in November 2012 when his police cruiser slammed into the truck driven by Harjit Lotay. His lawyer, Brij Mohan, says the Crown has now stayed all charges but his client is still facing a federal lawsuit seeking special damages and expenses

    Charges Stayed Against Semi Driver Harjit Lotay In Surrey Crash That Killed Const. Adrian Oliver

    Man Under Arrest, Victim Hurt After Samaritan Stops Vancouver Sex Attack

    Man Under Arrest, Victim Hurt After Samaritan Stops Vancouver Sex Attack
    Police say a man armed with a weapon entered a home shortly after noon Thursday, attacked and tied up the woman and then sexually assaulted her. A witness who heard the woman screaming went into the home and struggled with the attacker.

    Man Under Arrest, Victim Hurt After Samaritan Stops Vancouver Sex Attack

    B.C. Regulators Issue $51.7 Million In Penalties, Permanently Ban Two Men In Fraud Case

    B.C. Regulators Issue $51.7 Million In Penalties, Permanently Ban Two Men In Fraud Case
    VANCOUVER — Regulators have ordered fines and penalties of more than $50 million against two British Columbia residents as a result of alleged securities fraud and have permanently banned them from public markets.

    B.C. Regulators Issue $51.7 Million In Penalties, Permanently Ban Two Men In Fraud Case

    Boonstock Festival Announces It's Not Coming Back To Penticton, B.C.

    Boonstock Festival Announces It's Not Coming Back To Penticton, B.C.
    PENTICTON, B.C. — The troubled Boonstock Music and Arts Festival will not be returning to Penticton, B.C., in 2015.

    Boonstock Festival Announces It's Not Coming Back To Penticton, B.C.