The Record • Saturday, May 15, 2010 • A07
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Was red tape needed? ◗ continued from page 6
warning me not to smile as she snapped the shot. I assured her that I was well able to keep my joy confined. You see, I rate going to massive commercial hives like Metrotown right up there with having teeth pulled. Throw in a visit to a government institution, and the rating goes up to walking barefoot over broken lightbulbs. I pleaded that my passport had been accepted as proof of my existence at assorted international airports, from Vancouver to London, but Ms. C. was having none of it. She offered one break: When I returned with certificate as ordered, I would not have to wait in line but could go directly into her presence (provided she was at work at the time). I called the ICBC information line and learned that my passport really, really should have been adequate for the ID job, but that is now of little use. As a minion of the Crown, Ms. C. must be obeyed or I might face a third visit to the magic castle of shopkeepers, burning yet more expensive gasoline. And another nagging thought occurs: If I couldn’t find my birth certificate, would I be officially banished to pedestrianism?
Living wage is needed
Dear Editor:
I am responding to a letter against the new living wage bylaw (Living wage not sensible, Letters to the editor, The Record, May 5). I am shocked that Mr. Evans is “appalled” by this motion. Surely, he must be aware how expensive it is to live in the Lower Mainland? Undoubtedly he is aware of the financial pressures families are facing? Report after report have bombarded us with how many of our fellow British Columbians live in poverty, not to mention the fact that many of these are children. This is completely unacceptable. This motion made me proud to live in New Westminster, a place that recognizes the importance of being paid a fair wage for work done. Mr. Evans is correct that the minimum wage should be increased. He said he is wary about doing it now, but I don’t understand how having people live in poverty is a palatable option. I am pleased our council saw a problem and took action to make New Westminster a livable community. I hope that other communities and employers will follow New Westminster’s lead.
Tony Eberts, New Westminster
regressive at the top. And shockingly, the richest one per cent of Canadians now pay less as a portion of their income than the poorest 10 per cent. The vast majority of Canadians have been the net losers. Tax cuts have compromised Canadian public services: whittling away our social safety net, diminishing the quality of our public education and health-care systems and eroding our basic transportation and communication infrastructure. It’s time to bring fairness back into Canada’s tax system. As conservative historian Michael Bliss recently wrote: “Inequality of compensation has soared in our time, as the rich have become much richer and much less taxed. Higher taxes on high incomes would begin to narrow the immense chasm that has opened up between the
über-rich and the ordinary North American.” The first step is to make corporate Canada part of the solution, instead of being part of the problem. It starts with reversing broad based cuts to Canada’s corporate income tax system. These cuts do nothing for corporations whose profits have been obliterated by the economic crisis. They benefit profitable companies, notably banks and oil companies, who are more likely to build up cash balances, take over other companies or buy back their own shares instead of making real job creating investments. The second step is to bring fairness back into Canada’s personal income tax system, beginning with a new higher tax rate for those with incomes over $250,000 a year. Reversing the Harper GST cuts is also important. The additional $12 bil-
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lion a year that our federal coffers would gain from restoring the GST to seven per cent (with an expanded tax credit to protect low-income earners) could build a national PharmaCare program and a home care program for our senior citizens. It could fund a national child-care program for the next generation of young Canadians. It could plant the seeds for a green economy. They say timing is everything. Any move to increase taxes will need to be phased in once Canada’s fragile economic recovery takes firmer root. But that Canadians are finally starting to have an adult conversation about taxation – instead of only seeing red – is a healthy sign. It bodes well for Canada’s future. Bruce Campbell is executive director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The New Westminster Record welcomes letters to the editor. We do, however, edit for taste, legality and length. Priority is given to letters written by residents of New Westminster and/or issues concerning New Westminster. Please include a phone number where you can be
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Taxes: It’s time to restore fairness ◗ continued from page 6
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reached during the day. Send letters to: The Editor, #201A–3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V5A 3H4, fax them to: 604-444-3460 or e-mail to: editorial@royalcityrecord.com. No Attachments Please. Letters to the editor and opinion columns may be reproduced on The New Westminster Record website, www.royalcityrecord.com The New Westminster Record is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
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