Dear Editor,

The Christy Clark Liberals brag that we in B.C. have the lowest tax rate in Canada.

They don't mention that we are the only province in Canada that charges a medical services premium, and when you add that in, we no longer have the lowest taxes in Canada.

Since 2001, the Liberals tax cuts have disproportionately benefited corporations and the wealthy.

At the same time, we have had significant fee increases in MSP, hydro, ferry costs, and auto insurance, to name a few. All of these put an added strain on the budget of middle class and working families.

Today we have a growing inequality between the highest and lowest wage earners.

As a result of the tax cuts, we continue to have the highest child poverty rate in the country, home support and other services for seniors are being eroded, we have more people dependent on shelters and food banks to survive, and many young people cannot afford higher education to get better-paying jobs.

And let's not forget the HST deception. A recent poll by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives reinforced what most polls show: 67 per cent of those polled think major corporations do not pay their fair share of taxes, 78 per cent say people in the top 20 per cent of incomes pay too little, and most people would be willing to see their taxes increase for services to people.

Sixty per cent agreed with the statement: "Taxes are the price we pay for the quality of life we have in Canada."

Oscar Wilde is reported to have said, "I enjoy paying taxes, they buy me civilization."

Maybe it's time we had an adult conversation about taxes.

Bob Goos, Maple Ridge

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