Taxes

(This is an older opinion piece and does not necessarily represent the views of the author but is intended to promote discussion on this issue)

There are few times in politics when all sides of the debate are satisfied with the actions of the other. Politics would not be politics without debate, differences of opinions, and compromise to provide the best solution (theoretically) for the people of the nation. As a federation, the dynamics of Canadian politics is divided between the partners of the federation and a centralized government to whom the responsibility of representing the partnership as a whole is presented to. The role of the Federal Government is to promote and represent ALL of Canada to the world as a place to invest and live. Furthermore, its responsibility includes dealing with problems and concerns that face the nation as a whole. Canada would not be Canada without its regional conflicts but it is not the role of the Federal government to interfere in the policies of an elected government of the province unless it affects the other partners in the federation or the problem is in federal jurisdiction. Recently, the Federal Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, has forgotten his duty to represent and promote all of Canada when he criticized Ontario's Provincial government for not lowering their corporate tax rate. He publicly stated that if a business or individual were looking to invest in Canada, Ontario would be the last place they would invest. In a time of economic uncertainty it seems that now is not the time for the Federal Finance Minister to be attacking the economic climate of one member of the federation he represents to the world. He represents each partner in federation equally, not simply the partners that share his economic and or political beliefs. Ontario's tax rate maybe the highest of the provinces but it is still over 5% lower than the federal corporate tax and it is Ontario's own prerogative as a province to deem what tax is necessary to support this province. The federal government should not over step its jurisdiction let alone publicly discourage economic growth in a province. It is the role of the John Torry and the provincial MPPs of the Conservative Party to criticise along with the other provincial politicians. Mr. Flaertety does nothing except further estrange Ontario voters by attacking a government that has just won a majority in an election that took place less than a year ago. The Ontario Liberals say they could afford to lower taxes sooner if they did not have to pay off a deficient they inherited from Conservative governments: of which Mr. Flaherty was a Finance Minister at one time. If Mr. Flaherty wishes to be involved in provincial politics maybe he should return to his former job as an MPP. He is now a Minister in the Government of Canada which includes Ontario Canada by criticizing an elected provincial government in a matter of which he has no jurisdiction. and he does nothing to strengthen this federations we call Canada.