Poverty problem

Dear Editor:

RE: The federal government’s announcement earlier this year that since 2015, Canada’s poverty rate has dropped by more than 20 per cent.

I think 20% is a very low goal, that is why they reached it so early. Let them go for 50% by 2021 and 70% by 2022 followed by 90% by 2023 and 100% by 2024! It can be done if they truely put their minds to it. Tax the upper class more. No more tax breaks for big business. 

Collect on all back taxes owed by the upper class and big business with no breaks; collect 100% of what is owed or send them to do community service and still make them pay. Seize offshore accounts of the upper class and businesses. Close every tax loophole and tax shelters. 

It is not the 1% that is the top. It is the say 90% of the 1% that should be paying more and forced to stop dodging their moral responsibility! I guess hiding that extra million makes them sleep better at night. 

The government must get tough on the upper class and big business to make them pay. The government needs to close their own loopholes and control their earnings. A set pay limit should be made so each member of our government gets paid the same amount and gets raises based of the cost of living just like normal folk. No more big pay raises none. Laws controlling government wages must be set and enforced. No more free vacations paid for by the people by our taxes. All overseas trips most be given a locked-in budget and held to that budget. No more flamboyant trips on the common people’s dime.

Every politician across Canada should be happy to get paid like the people they are supposed to be serving. Imagine if life took that course how much more money could go to creating a poverty-free society. Where our veterans get what they deserve along with our first responders. 

Imagine seeing your MPP and MP and knowing they are earning a fair wage with fair raises and that the taxes being spent are for everyone and not going to vacations for the family. 

A 20% poverty reduction is far too low. The government should be ashamed that they set such a low target that they knew would be of no effort to achieve. They should be ashamed!

Albert James Copeman,

Mount Fores