Boshcoff hails ‘Green Shift’ plan

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff believes the Liberal Party of Canada’s “Green Shift”—a plan for the environment and the economy—will not only benefit Canadians, but particularly residents of Rainy River District.
“Many of the concerns that they had in terms of rural and small communities are in the ‘Green Shift’ plan because of the tax cuts,” he noted.
Besides cutting income taxes, Liberal leader Stéphane Dion explained the plan, unveiled last Thursday, also will put a price on pollution, fight poverty, and position Canada to be a leader in the global economy of the 21st century.
“It reflects smaller communities. . . . There are specific points for people in rural Canada,” Boshcoff stressed. “And I give full credit to the people in the district for providing me with the information and coaching to be able to have an influence on future policy.”
Upon forming a government, the Liberals pledged to put a price on fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas, starting at $10 per tonne of carbon dioxide and rising to $40 per tonne over four years.
No new taxes will be levied on gasoline at the pump since there already is an excise tax in place which equates to $42 per tonne of carbon dioxide.
Using the revenue generated through carbon pricing, a new Liberal government will implement measures like:
•significant cuts to the first three marginal rates of income tax;
•a new, universal child tax benefit worth $350 per child, per year, on top of all existing child benefits;
•an $850 increase to the employment tax credit, which also will be made refundable and targeted at lower-income Canadians;
•a more generous Working Income Tax Benefit to help Canadians over the welfare wall;
•additional tax credits and incentives for business to encourage innovation and green investment;
•an increase to the Northern Residents Deduction, and indexation going forward; and
•an immediate Green Rural Credit worth $150 for every rural tax-filer.
Boshcoff noted the Green Rural Credit is one way the plan is specific to rural areas, such as Rainy River District.
“The plan is what I would call hope for the future,” he remarked. “It ties together the role of the federal government in addressing climate change and it gives individuals and families the financial tools to be able to support the type of initiatives that are needed.”
With his background in environmental studies, Boshcoff feels the “Green Shift” is the essence of being a plan that will make positive changes for the future.
“I’m very excited about it,” he enthused, adding he’ll be travelling extensively through the district this summer to get input from people face-to-face.