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President's Commentary: Unions rise to challenge of pandemic

"We will continue to advocate for our members, but also ensure that the recovery benefits everyone. Our future can be inclusive and fair, with the importance of public services more recognized than ever, where we take better care of our children and our seniors and everyone in between, and where we can reduce income and social inequality. We can build a healthier and safer country for everyone. In fact, it's not only that we can — we must." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President

Fair Tax Recovery Plan could raise over $70B in annual revenues

Ottawa (25 Feb. 2021) — Last week, Canadians for Tax Fairness released a Fair Tax Recovery Plan demonstrating how the federal government could raise more than $70 billion in annual revenues by introducing progressive tax reforms in coming budgets.

Report links for-profit long-term care facility company to tax dodging

Ottawa (28 Jan. 2021) — A new report has found that Revera Living, the second largest for-profit long-term care and retirement facility company in Canada, appears to be using a web of subsidiaries in tax havens to reduce the corporate income taxes that its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom pay. The report, Tax Dodging by a Canadian Crown Corporation: Revera Living Making a Killing, was produced by the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR).

New report shows income inequality in Canada still a serious problem

While many workers were laid off and had to rely on income support of $500/week during the pandemic, the stock market boom means half of CEOs will likely see an increase in their compensation for 2020.

Drop in charitable donations could harm not-for-profit long-term care

This situation is yet another reminder of why having not-for-profit organizations take over public services like long-term care doesn’t solve the problem of underfunding. It just changes how the services are funded.

PSI campaigning to end Amazon’s tax dodging and mistreatment of workers

Ottawa (02 Dec. 2020) — Public Services International, the global union federation of public sector unions, has joined a global coalition working to address the many issues with Amazon’s business practices, including tax dodging and mistreating its workers. The campaign, Make Amazon Pay, is demanding changes to both Amazon’s company policies and government legislation.

Time to tax extreme wealth as Canada’s billionaires grow $53B richer in pandemic

Ottawa (01 Dec. 2020) — Canadians for Tax Fairness revealed that the wealth of Canada’s richest billionaires grew by more than $50 billion between April and October of this year.

Encouraging comments but limited action in Fall Economic Statement

Ottawa (01 Dec. 2020) — Rightfully, much of the focus of yesterday’s Fall Economic Statement was on the COVID-19 pandemic. There were some additional funds for the public health response, including PPE and vaccines, and more measures to support workers, families, businesses, and communities that are impacted by the lockdowns.

Tax dodging by corporations and the wealthy costs over $560 billion a year

Ottawa (20 Nov. 2020) — A new report from the Tax Justice Network (TJN) estimates that tax dodging by multinational corporations and the wealthy is costing governments around the world over C$560 billion a year.

Parliament passes up an opportunity to make tax system fairer

Ottawa (19 Nov. 2020) — This week, Members of Parliament voted against an NDP motion calling for a wealth tax and a tax on excessive corporate profits. The NDP proposal called for a 1% tax on wealth over $20 million and an excess profit tax. It was proposed that funds raised through these measures be used to fund income security programs, health care and housing.

It was defeated when the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois voted against it.