For Immediate Release
March 23, 2011
In choosing to maintain the scheduled $6 billion a year of corporate tax cuts, the Government of Canada has clearly chosen failed trickle-down economics over substantive investments to support the equality of opportunity for all Canadians.
“Budget 2011 demonstrates that trickle-down theories of economics are fundamental for this government,” states Fred Phelps, spokesperson for of the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW). “While there are across-the-board tax benefits for business and higher income earners in the budget, there are only bits and pieces for the low income people and persons at risk.”
Although Budget 2011 provides hope for seniors solely reliant on Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for their income with an additional $300 million per year in support, this commitment falls drastically short of the estimated $700 million per year required to truly support Canadian seniors to live with deserved dignity and respect.
“Over the last number of years, CASW has stressed the importance of the improving the financial status of low and moderate income women,” stated Phelps. “The additional targeted GIS support for seniors in this budget is a welcomed investment but falls drastically short of supporting Canadian seniors.”
What is blaringly absent in Budget 2011 is a commitment to substantial reforms to Canadian pensions, employment insurance, affordable housing and child care to meet the needs of thousands of modest income Canadians who are left behind or receive marginal benefits due to limited incomes.
“The problem with trickle down theories is that it does not address the equality gap” stated Phelps. “The most vulnerable people in society receive little direct benefit and that is why CASW continues to advocate for the federal government to commit to a national plan to reduce poverty in Canada.”
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For more information:
Fred Phelps, MSW, RSW
casw@casw-acts.ca