What does my MP....

WHAT DOES MY MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REPRESENT?
A commentary on the Canadian Political System
By Victor Drummond ©
May 2008


When a leader, or high ranking member, of a Canadian political party makes a public declaration of government, or party, policy what is he or she actually doing?

Public declarations are seldom, if ever, made off the cuff, by party members, without careful analysis of the probable cost or benefit to the party and/or speaker.

What does total silence -- on an issue that causes unwarranted distress, anxiety, loss of home, unjustified loss of savings, loss of sleep and loss of peace of mind to their constituents – mean?

What does defending defective legislation – that produces all the above listed harm to honest hard-working Canadian Taxpayers mean?

What does ignoring the hundreds – probably even thousands -- of appeals from Canadians victimized by this insidious tax legislation mean?

What does granting an improved measure of fairness to a token few victims of this outrageous tax policy mean?

What does the Honourable Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty mean by the following words -- to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance in his address of January 30 2007 ?

Quote ----------------------------------------------------------
“We made our decision based not on political calculations, as did the previous government, but on principles of tax fairness, balancing the needs of individual investors with the interests of taxpayers and their families. “

“And we acted responsibly and decisively.”

“It is not tax fairness if it is only for a few.”

“And it is not strengthening the economy if the playing field is not level for all businesses.”

Unquote-----------------------------------------------------

Although Minister Flaherty’s speech was made in the context of justifying an amendment of the corporate trust tax legislation – to plug a tax loop-hole – can “the principles of tax fairness” ever be taken out of context?

“Tax Fairness” is applicable to all taxpayers not just to a select few --organizations -- or a select few taxable benefit victims

So what happened to the “responsible and decisive” government action to level the tax playing field for all victims of the taxable benefit legislation?

What became of the governments resolve to level the playing field for all businesses. Is not an employed family wage earner a viable business?

Was all this “level playing field” and “tax fairness” and “responsible and decisive action” talk just political rhetoric to cover a self-serving tax legislation change?

Not a party policy to be applied to all taxpayers that have been treated unfairly, and unequally, and on a severely tilted playing field?
Actions, or in this case lack of action, speak louder than words.

There has been no real substance to any “Tax Fairness” actions taken by the Conservatives, since being elected in 2006.

They have done absolutely zero to level the playing field for all taxable benefit legislation victims.

Each taxable benefit tax victim is still required to submit an appeal – on an individual basis – and cross their fingers hoping for a favourable tax re-assessment.

Do any of the foregoing political shenanigans appear to be real, honest, sincere, representation of any parliament member’s constituent voters?

So far as real concern -- for Canadian taxpayers is revealed by the lack of vocal objections raised and/or action taken to level the playing field -- by our elected Members, (past and present), of Parliament – none is apparent.

SO WHAT DOES OUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REPRESENT?

Silence, and on-going tolerance, of this travesty of justice plainly proves elected representative in parliament are there to look after personal and party interests – and to make speeches that are mainly self-serving rhetoric.

I for one will not just stand there and wring my hands over this situation.

Everyone who asks for my vote -- in the next federal election is being made well aware – commit to correcting this outrageous tax situation – and treating all Canadian taxpayers equally and fairly – or no vote.

Hold your candidate for the next federal election accountable.

Tell your MP straight out:-

Commit to representing the best interests of your constituents. Support correcting the defective taxable benefit legislation retroactively or you will get no support from me.

Victor Drummond ©