It’s time to fix Canada’s national tax-filing gap for the vulnerable GlobeBusiness
Contributed to The Globe and MailBy now, Canadians are well into one of their most dreaded chores: filing their taxes. What makes it palatable for many is the potential tax return waiting for them on the other side.
It starts with education. According to Food Bank Canada’s Hunger Count 2018 report, in one month alone , nearly 1.1 million people nationwide visited a food bank, the majority of whom receive social assistance or disability-related supports. As front-line workers well know, many of these folks aren’t even aware these tax incentives exist.
This is about more than getting a cheque from the government. Social-assistance rates have not significantly increased since the 1990s and for many households they offer grossly inadequate support in the face of today’s economic situation. This leaves many seeking the help of food banks, something we should strive to reduce. Unlocking tax-driven supports is key to this effort.
Non-profit and other charitable groups are essential partners of this program, as they can better reach vulnerable populations in a way that the federal government on its own cannot. The network of Food Banks Canada alone, comprising more than 300 food banks, either directly provides or refers people to services to help people file their taxes, free of charge.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Opinion: Canada must develop a services economyTo compete, we need more skilled immigration, new ways of looking at education coupled with the creative means of supporting lifelong learning through incentives, and tax changes to help keep entrepreneurial companies here
Read more »
Opinion: Passing Bill C-81 is critical to making Canada accessible for all CanadiansPassing Bill C-81 is critical to making Canada accessible for all Canadians GlobeDebate
Read more »
Opinion: Canada’s vulnerable and precarious workers need more supportOur country should turn its focus from rigid labour employment legislation to policies that prioritize job-training opportunities and financial protection during unemployment.
Read more »
Opinion: Ontario’s legal aid cuts will leave refugee claimants more vulnerableAccurately determining whether a claimant meets the legal test for refugee status presents unique challenges. For a claimant without a lawyer they are likely to be insurmountable, writes John Evans
Read more »
Opinion: Death, taxes – and flooding: Repeated disasters are the norm, so let’s have a better planDeath, taxes – and flooding: Repeated disasters are the norm, so let’s have a better plan GlobeDebate
Read more »
Opinion: Polarized politics could shatter Canada’s fragile ‘virtuous cycle’ of immigrationBy playing to the worst instincts of voters around migrants and refugees in the pursuit of electoral success, politicians are threatening Canada’s uniquely peaceful diversity
Read more »
How Mavis Staines started a movement for change at Canada’s National Ballet SchoolThe artistic director of Canada’s National Ballet and winner of a Governor General’s Performing Arts award shaped a teaching style that centres squarely on the student and ended up changing dancers' lives.
Read more »
Opinion: Passing Bill C-81 is critical to making Canada accessible for all CanadiansPassing Bill C-81 is critical to making Canada accessible for all Canadians GlobeDebate
Read more »
Opinion: Canada must develop a services economyTo compete, we need more skilled immigration, new ways of looking at education coupled with the creative means of supporting lifelong learning through incentives, and tax changes to help keep entrepreneurial companies here
Read more »
Carbon tax could add $600 more to your family's airline tickets over timeAirTrav president Robert Kokonis talks about what the introduction of the carbon tax means for air travel in Canada
Read more »