New polling from Environics Research shows the majority of Canadians support the government in making “major changes to fix long-standing problems in society,” such as inequality. Another poll in Quebec found the majority of Canadians are willing to pay more in taxes.
“This pandemic has demonstrated that inequities in our society place some populations — and ultimately, all Canadians at risk. No one is protected from the risk of COVID-19 until everyone is protected.” — Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
When billionaires are wealthier than ever before, making cuts to public services that will penalize low- and middle-income people to pay for the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic is obscene.
Ottawa (16 Oct. 2020) — While most of the world’s population is struggling to get by, the very wealthy are now richer than ever before. According to a report from UBS, a multinational bank based in Switzerland, the holdings of the world’s billionaires are now worth US $10.2 trillion, or about C$13.56 trillion. This is higher than the previous record of US$8.9 trillion.
This demand recognizes that if we are going to avoid a repeat of the pandemic and respond to the other challenges facing our planet, “going back to normal” isn’t good enough.
An excess profits tax, which we had during both world wars, would raise revenues and prevent pandemic profiteering.
"Analysis of the latest Statistics Canada foreign direct investment figures reveals that Canadian corporations last year increased the amount of assets they report in the top 12 tax havens by 135% in the past decade and up $10 billion from 2018."
For the public, privatization means we’re paying twice. Once to make up for the revenue governments lose when wealthy corporations and individuals are able to use tax havens and then again because privatization means higher costs and poorer service.
“Now is the time for a universally accessible, publicly funded, not-for-profit, and high quality child care system that fairly compensates workers in a unionized workforce.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
“Hiding mistakes means we can't learn from them. Stephen McNeil must show leadership and give the staff, residents and families what they deserve — a full public inquiry.” — Jason MacLean, NSGEU President
“Provinces must play their part in inflating the economy, not contribute to the further deflating of our economy." — Larry Brown, NUPGE President