44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 28, 2022 02:00PM
- Sep/28/22 2:36:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, 40-year highs of “Justinflation” is where we are at. Payroll taxes have gone from $3,400 to $4,100 under the government, a $700 increase, and the planned EI premium hike is yet another increase on paycheques. When Canadians are struggling with paying their bills, the government's next move, on January 1, is to raise EI premiums on their paycheques.
When will they finally give Canadians a break and cancel the planned EI tax hike?
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- Sep/28/22 2:37:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the facts are very clear. EI premiums are lower today than when the opposition leader oversaw them. In fact, EI premiums are actually the lowest they have been in decades. Come next January, even though the premium will be increased, it will still be 25¢ lower than in 2015 under the opposition leader. EI benefits are also way more generous than they were under the Conservatives 10 years ago.
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- Sep/28/22 2:38:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the minister knows she is collecting more in EI premiums than she will pay to workers, and the finance minister ought to know that the EI surplus goes to their coffers to feed their out-of-control inflationary spending. The government cannot simultaneously say it understands the pain of Canadians and raise taxes on them.
I will ask this again. Will the government cancel the January 1 tax hikes?
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- Sep/28/22 2:38:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me repeat that EI premiums are the lowest they have been in decades, and that is a direct result of our government's investment in programs for workers. Special benefits are more generous. The maximum for insurable earnings is more generous. Workers get more now and pay less.
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- Sep/28/22 2:39:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians certainly understand that CPP and EI contributions are how we save for retirement and create a safety net for all Canadians.
In this time of global economic uncertainty, it is completely irresponsible of the Conservatives to suggest that our country should stop setting money aside for Canadians' retirement and a rainy day.
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- Sep/28/22 2:58:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, if EI is not in fact a tax, maybe the minister wants to update the government website.
More taxes mean Canadians have less money to pay their bills. The carbon tax has already increased the price of gas and groceries, which have just driven up inflation. Soon people will have to take home less pay while trying to cover these higher costs.
The Liberals try to sell that as taking care of people, yet the finance minister had to admit that higher payroll tax gives the government another $2.5 billion from workers' paycheques. It is time to quit the excuses.
Will the government end its planned tax hikes on Canadian paycheques?
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- Sep/28/22 3:06:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let us talk a little about EI.
The EI contribution rate today is $1.58. Next year, it is going to be $1.63. Guess what. Both of those rates are lower than every single year when Stephen Harper was prime minister.
Let us be clear about the Conservatives' schemes. They are proposing to slash our pensions. They are proposing to undermine the EI system. They are even disagreeing with things they actually did when they were—
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