Rahim comments on important July 1st federal changes

July 04, 2006

Rahim Jaffer, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona today said Canada’s new government is giving ordinary Canadians four new reasons to celebrate on July 1st.

“Starting on July 1st, Canadians will see one of the largest tax cuts in the country’s history when the GST goes from 7 percent down to 6 percent,” Jaffer said. “It means more money in the pockets of every Canadian and that’s something worth celebrating.”

July 1st is also when parents of young children under six years old in Edmonton and across Canada will begin to receive the Universal Childcare Benefit -- $1,200 per year for each child under six -- to help them cope with the cost of child care. 

“After just a few weeks in office, Prime Minister Stephen Harper did what the Liberals could not do in 13 years – he delivered a plan to encourage choice in childcare by sending $1,200 per year for each child under six directly to parents and moving forward with a real plan to create new child care spaces.”

Canadian workers will also celebrate July 1st as the first day Canada’s new government starts giving them a break on what it costs to work.

“It was a commitment I strongly supported during the campaign, and now it’s a reality,” Jaffer said. The Canada Employment Credit comes into effect starting July 1st to lower taxes for all working Canadians and help them cover the costs of work related expenses such as uniforms and home computers.

Finally, Canada Day marks the beginning of a new and comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gases, improve the quality of the air we breathe, reduce traffic congestion, and save money at the same time. 

“Starting on July 1st, Canada’s new government will provide a non-refundable tax credit on the cost of transit passes,” Jaffer stated. “As a result, ETS users who spend $60 per month on transit passes could save up to $60 this year and up to $115 next year.”

“A cut to the GST, $1,200 per year in direct child care support, relief for working Canadians and tax breaks to reduce air pollution and encourage transit use – four reasons to celebrate July 1st 2006,” said Jaffer. 

“And if I can add just one more reason to the list: Canadians, for the first time in a long time, can celebrate the fact that we now live in a country that is governed by a Prime Minister who keeps his promises.”