Yorkton This Week sent a list of ten questions to each of the five candidates running in the Yorkton-Melville riding in the 2019 Federal Election. Every day for ten days, we will post their answers. Yorkton-Melville heads to the polls on Oct. 21.
The retail sector is struggling, both locally and in Canada as a whole. How would you support both Canadians having more money to spend as well as encouraging spending on local goods and services?
Cathay Wagantall, Conservative Party:
We know that services on the internet represent a growing part of the Canadian and global economy and foreign-owned technology companies aren’t subject to the same regulations as Canadian companies. Conservatives believe in a level playing field and that public policy should keep up with a rapidly changing marketplace.
A new Conservative government will take several measures to support our small businesses:
1. Repeal Trudeau’s tax increases on small business investments
2. Exempt spouses from Trudeau’s tax increases on small business dividends
3. Make it easier to navigate Canada’s tax system and the Canada Revenue Agency
4. Reduce federal regulations by 25 per cent
5. Implement a 2-for-1 rule for new regulations
6. Assign a Minister reporting directly to the Prime Minister to lead red tape reduction efforts
7. Mandate ministers and regulators to support innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness
8. Champion Canada’s small businesses to the world
Stacey Wiebe, Green Party:
The Green Party will not raise personal taxes. They will remain the same. Unfortunately, how someone spends their money and where is not in the purview of the government. But the Green Party will put an emphasis on reinstating local food and processing, and manufacturing so this would allow more local goods to be produced, and therefore more choices, so hopefully this would encourage shoppers to stay local.
Carter Antoine, New Democratic Party:
When we invest in Canadians and ensure that life is affordable and people are not living in poverty, they will spend. When we cover all prescription drugs, not only will it save the government money long-term, but it will allow Canadian more flexibility in their budgets to spend. Similarly, by lowering cell phone and internet bills and investing in affordable housing we can help people become more financially secure, which will result in more money being spent in the local economy.
Connor Moen, Liberal Party:
When people have money to spend on local goods and services it benefits everyone and the economy as a whole. Things like raising the basic personal income tax threshold to $15,000, lowering the costs of phone and internet bills, continuing to index the Canada Child Benefit to the cost of living will help people have more money so they can spend it in the local economy.Â
Ryan Schultz, People's Party of Canada:
By leaving more money in the pockets of business owners and indviduals. We will reduce taxes in 2 years once the federal budget is balanced. A tax reduction will allow businesses to be more competitive or retool to adjust their business models.
The PPC would help all businesses by lowering the business tax from 15% to 10%.
The PPC will lower federal taxes after the budget is balanced in 2 years. We will eliminate the carbon tax. This is tax on everyday items all Canadians use. The PPC will eliminate Supply Management to lower the costs on milk, eggs, cheese and chicken. We will eliminate the capital gains tax.
More money in the hands of individuals will strengthen local economies.
