The federal NDP promises to remove the GST on several items if they form the next government.
Under the plan, cellphone services, Internet, heating, groceries and children’s clothing would be GST-free.
Incomes would also be tax-free on the first $19,500 earned.
Leader Jagmeet Singh says it would save middle-income families as much as $1,450 each year.
“Our plan is one to fight back, to give you relief,” says Singh.
“I think that’s the right thing to do right now. It’s going to help us weather this storm of this trade war and the potential uncertainty that comes with it.”
Singh adds a NDP government will also double the disability benefit provided to seniors and increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also focused on seniors while visiting Quebec.
Poilievre is promising to let working seniors earn up to $34,000 tax-free, a $10,000 increase from the current level.
Seniors would also be allowed to keep their RRSPs in place until age 73, two years later than the current rules requiring funds to be moved by age 71.
“That means more control, more flexibility, more financial security,” says Poilievre.
“These savings, along with my major income tax cut, will mean seniors will bring home more of their pensions and paycheck.”
Poilievre also committed to keeping the retirement age at 65, a department from the Harper government that toyed with the idea of increasing it to 67.
“Conservatives will keep the retirement age at 65. CPP will be age 65, OAS, 65, GIS, 65,” says Poilievre, “so that Canadians will know they’ll have that income coming in and they’ll have a reliable solid retirement and a solid floor under their feet.”
Liberal leader Mark Carney announced his plan to protect and grow Canada’s auto sector during a visit to Windsor.
It includes the creation of a $2 billion fund to protect jobs and fortify the auto industry supply chain in Canada.
Carney also proposes an “All-in-Canada” network that leads to more vehicles built in the country.
“What we need to do is build more of those autos and more of each auto right here in Canada in the new world,” says Carney.
“That will be an advantage that will help insulate us from President Trump’s trade threats.”
Carney is also prepared to support large-scale projects of national importance like Ontario’s Ring of Fire and the expansion of the ports in Montreal and the Maritimes.
“Will also establish a one-window approval process. That means eliminating duplicative federal requirements by recognizing provincial assessments for major projects. One project, one review. And we will identify projects of national significance and accelerate the time it takes to build them.”
The federal election takes place on April 28th.
