Tony keeps pounding away

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************* NDP, Martin take on Harper's unbalanced fiscal policies Corporate tax giveaways strip ability to invest, place burden on taxpayers

OTTAWA - The NDP's opposition motion being debated in Parliament today condemns the Conservative government's fiscal agenda that sees billions of dollars going to corporate tax giveaways while working families and middle class pay an increasing share of government services.

"Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma sees the devastating consequences of these unbalanced fiscal policies. Money is not available to resolve the health-care crisis including investing in home care and long-term care," said Sault MP Tony Martin.

Martin at a press conference last Friday in Sault Ste. Marie linked the local health-care crisis to the government choosing corporate tax cuts over social spending investments.

He's making the same case in Ottawa this week with his caucus and MPs.

NDP Finance Critic and Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair (Outremont) said by drastically reducing the taxes of large profitable corporations the Conservatives are systematically shifting the tax burden onto the shoulders of average families.

In the 2008 budget tabled February 26, the government forecast a decline in revenue from corporate income taxes.

Between 2006-07 and 2009-10, the Conservatives expect to take 12 percent more from individuals, but 14 percent less from corporations.

Mulcair says massive corporate tax cuts by previous government and the current Conservative regime are to blame for the growing imbalance as well the shrinking fiscal capacity to invest in the priorities of everyday Canadians, such as training more health-care professionals to help shorten health wait times.

"Conservatives are picking winners and losers. Working families are losing their jobs in the manufacturing and forestry sectors and Stephen Harper isn't doing anything to help make life more affordable. Instead, the Conservatives hand over $14 billion to the most profitable companies in the oil, gas and banking sectors," said Mulcair. "It isn't fair."

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