Reverse $25 billion cuts
Petitioners ask the House to reverse $25 billion in cuts and fund jobs, services and a green transition by taxing corporations and the wealthy. The government responds it supports a fair tax and proposes rebates.
Why we would sign this petition
- Stopping $25 billion in cuts would preserve public jobs and services many Canadians rely on, avoiding immediate layoffs and service reductions.
- Funding jobs, services and a sustainable transition by taxing corporations and the wealthy targets those with greater ability to pay instead of cutting public programs.
- Using tax measures rather than austerity would raise revenue to address climate-related costs and public needs without shrinking services.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Higher taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals could discourage investment or economic activity, potentially affecting growth and employment.
- A wealth tax or major tax increases can be administratively complex and slow to implement, delaying revenue and benefits.
- Less costly or more targeted alternatives, such as efficiency reforms or progressive spending changes, might protect services while minimizing economic disruption.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned, residents of the Province of British Columbia, draw the attention of the House of Commons, to the following: That, whereas: Wealth inequality in Canada is rising, with more Canadians struggling to afford the basics of life, while corporate profits continue to break records. Austerity measures very often exacerbate inequality. The federal government is planning austerity measures, including a massive cut of $25 billion to publicly funded jobs and programs that Canadians rely upon. The federal government has, and plans on further, cutting taxes on the wealthy. Climate change is worsening, causing Canadians a projected $25 billion in losses each year. A wealth tax could, per Centre for Policy Alternatives, generate more than $32 billion in the first year alone. Therefore, we, the undersigned, call upon the House of Commons to: Reconsider the sweeping cuts to Canadian jobs and services. Propose a bill to fund good-paying jobs, public services, and the transition to a sustainable economy by making corporations and the wealthiest Canadians pay their fair share.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Finance and National Revenue Signed by The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne The Government of Canada is committed to a fair tax system. Canada's personal income tax system is progressive where tax rates increase with taxable income. With a top federal marginal personal income tax rate of 33 percent that applies on taxable income over $258,482 in 2026, those who can are asked to contribute more to help fund the vital public services that benefit all Canadians. Additionally, the Alternative Minimum Tax, reformed in Budgets 2023 and 2024, helps to ensure that high-income Canadians cannot excessively use tax preferences to reduce their tax bill. One of this government’s first actions after taking office was to move forward with the proposed “middle-class tax cut” by reducing the lowest marginal personal income tax rate from 15 percent to 14 percent. This tax cut will save a two-income family up to $840 this year and generate tax savings for nearly 22 million Canadians. In addition, the government has proposed to: Implement a 100 percent rebate of the Goods and Services Tax (or federal portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax) for first-time buyers on new homes priced up to $1 million, with a linear phase-out for new homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million. As a result of this rebate, first-time home buyers will be able to save up to $50,000. Introduce the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit to help more than 12 million low- and modest-income Canadians afford day-to-day essentials, starting in the spring of 2026. A fair, robust and efficient tax system, where the wealthy pay their fair share, is what allows the government to support Canadians, protect the essential services they rely on and build major infrastructure and millions of homes. The government will continue to look at ways to improve the fairness of the tax system and seize opportunities for a more prosperous future.