I still haven't figured out where I stand on this Surplus Rebate Cheque (and I haven't even seen the bill yet) but I beginning to lean against it.
I am all for giving taxpayers back their money but this way seems financially reckless. Instead of forcing the government to come up with a proper balanced budget they can now plan to over-tax. They can use huge surpluses to appease the NDP and target some federal ridings and then at the end of the year cut Canadians a small cheque with whatever money is left over.
Here's the deal. The surplus is supposed to be about $10 billion right now. This is $10 billion that should not have been taxed in the first place. Also, do you trust the Liberals surplus numbers? They chronically underestimate them. And now your rebate cheque amount is dependent on their numbers.
As was said in the comments section, this is also a redistribution scheme. Taxation is progressive, so those who make more pay more. But this scheme is flat. So it yet another transfer of wealth from the middle and upper class to the lower class. A better solution would be to have policies to raise the level of all Canadians instead of cynically keeping everyone down.
Anybody want to build a case for the other side?
