It appears a tax on health and dental benefits the federal Liberals were kicking around has been scrapped after a wave of backlash.
Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau had been refusing to comment on the issue, saying they were not going to comment on the upcoming budget at all.
However, that changed in question period on Wednesday when Trudeau responded to Conservative Opposition Leader Rona Ambrose, who asked him why he would even consider the tax.. “We are committed to protecting the middle class from increased taxes and that is why we will not be raising the taxes the member opposite proposes we will do,” he replied.
Executive Director for the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, Sherri Bohme is pleased with the news. “I would consider both for the business community and the individuals receiving those benefits, this is a huge win.
“When there is proposed taxes that are going to be detrimental to such a large group of individuals and businesses, it’s important to take action. I think they received over 80,000 comments or letters to elected officials speaking against this. I think the Liberal government understands what this could potentially do to the middle class and those very people they say they’re looking to help.”
The Liberals had been toying with the idea privately for the upcoming budget, which could have added 3 billion dollars in revenue.