Andrew Scheer introduces the Universal Tax Cut

Reducing lowest-income tax bracket will put more than $850 back into the pockets of an average Canadian family

The
average Canadian family will save over $850 per year on their income taxes
after a Conservative government reduces the rate of the lowest-income tax
bracket with the Universal Tax Cut, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer
announced today.

“It’s
time for a universal tax cut that is focused on you,” said Scheer. “We’re going
to deliver a tax cut targeted specifically at taxpayers in the lowest-income
tax bracket. This means that every Canadian will see their income taxes go
down, and those in the lowest tax bracket see the biggest benefit of all.”

With
the Universal Tax Cut, the tax rate on income under $47,630 will be reduced
from 15 per cent to 13.75 per cent. This will allow an individual taxpayer to
save as much as $440 on their taxes. A two-income couple earning an average
salary would save over $850 per year.

“That’s
$850 back in your pocket each and every year,” said Scheer. “This means more
money to pay the bills, to save up for your kids’ education or maybe even
finally afford a family vacation.”

Scheer
compared the Universal Tax Cut to the Trudeau Liberal record. Despite
campaigning on a promise to help the middle class, Justin Trudeau refused to
reduce the low-income tax bracket. Instead, the Liberals increased taxes on
essentials like transit passes, textbooks, and after school programs for kids,
while introducing a carbon tax that targets lower income families by increasing
the cost of gasoline, home heating and groceries. Today, 80 per cent of
Canadian middle-class families are paying an average of $800 more per year in
tax compared to when Trudeau was elected.

“Justin
Trudeau is not as advertised,” said Scheer. “Justin Trudeau has always been
able to find millions of dollars to hand out to well-connected corporations.
Under the Liberals, the more you have, the more you get. That’s not how
government should work.”

The
Universal Tax Cut is the next step in the Conservative plan to put more money
back in your pockets. Scheer has already announced that a Conservative
government will:

Cancel the Trudeau Carbon Tax.
Take the GST off home heating, saving an
average household $107.
Make all maternity benefits tax free, saving
new parents up to $4000.
Introduce a Green Public Transit Tax Credit,
saving a family hundreds of dollars per year.

“You
shouldn’t have to be a billionaire to get your government’s attention. Instead
you deserve a government that respects how hard you work and how much you
already pay,” said Scheer. “You deserve a Conservative government whose first priority
will be to help you get ahead.”

SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTATION:
– Backgrounder
– Independent
Parliamentary Budget Officer Costing