Grits go flat on tax

As posted in the Telegraph Journal Feb 7, 09
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/rss/article/564742

Last week, Thursday to be exact, Premier Shawn Graham pledged - like a Boy Scout - to provide the province of New Brunswick with leadership. We have all been waiting for two years and counting. He said by making the right decisions he would protect us from the oncoming economic storm. And here's a fun fact for all of you. The Premier's speech (which was heavily scripted) contained a whopping 6,165 words! Did you know that President Obama's inauguration speech had only 2,408? So, my point is lots of words and talk, but what about the content?

Well, let's talk about content.

In 2006, Shawn Graham made a promise not to raise taxes, but we all know that actions speak louder than words. So, when given the first opportunity to lower taxes what did he do? He hiked both personal and small business taxes. Another broken promise. What a shame. In doing this, Premier Graham reinforced the belief that many people have of politicians: that they do not keep their words! He seems to think that elections are all about making promises and kissing babies, but once you get into office you do not deliver.

On taxes the Premier said:

*He would lower taxes and position New Brunswick as having one of the most competitive tax regimes in Canada, and indeed in America;

*He would lower personal income taxes for New Brunswickers and reduce the corporate tax burden on companies that do business in our province;

*He would attract ex-pat New Brunswickers back home; to be with their families and friends;

*More economic activity means more revenues to maintain and enhance important social services, such as health care and education.

Wow. When I read this I thought for a minute that I was reading a speech by former Progressive Conservative Premier Bernard Lord. It seems very strange that Premier Graham would emulate his predecessor, especially knowing how he felt about the Progressive Conservative Party's fiscal philosophy.

Contrary to the Progressive Conservative philosophy, Premier Graham's first bold move was to raise our taxes by well over $200 million over two years. I find it very ironic, to say the least, that we should all rejoice by now that he will give us half of it back next year. The Premier reminds me of a dog trying to catch its own tail. He's constantly going in circles. The Premier has become a master of creating catastrophe and then coming in like a knight in shining armour trying to clean up the mess.

Our province is impacted by the global economy, but don't be fooled; Shawn Graham has made the province's finances even worse due to his mismanagement.

So as we wait for the government to unveil its 2009 budget, I can only ask what happened to all of this talk about bold tax changes. Where is this so-called revolution we've been hearing about for the past two-plus years? You got it: sitting on a shelf.

Also, only a few short days since trumpeting how he will cut taxes, he turned around and hiked provincial fees such as marriage licences, vehicle registrations and provincial veterinarian fees to the tune of more than $17 million. His government also doubled its projected deficit to $500 million with not a word of it at the state of the province address only a mere five days prior.

I want to make it clear that the PC party supports reducing taxes by $100 million and when it benefits the most people and those most in need. But my point here is that under the "leadership" of Shawn Graham there's always some sort of catch. Don't be surprised to see tax cuts for the elite and big business and see public programs and services begin to evaporate, not to mention cuts to the civil service.

The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick believes in supporting and doing what's best for all individual New Brunswickers, families and entrepreneurs and not just helping an elite few.

On Sept. 27, 2010 New Brunswickers will have the chance to choose a different kind of leadership. They'll be able to choose a premier in PC Leader David Alward and a government that stands for fair taxation, but most of all New Brunswickers will be able to choose a government that puts people first.