[DerbyX]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Actually, there used to be a GST rebate for visitors to Canada, but it didn't cover items like meals, hotels, rides, etc. It only covered large purchases, like vehicles, electronics, luxury goods and such.

You are right in that we lost tons of income from tourists.

I assume they can still get the rebate for big ticket items also.

The year I spent in Australia was rather an unlucky one in terms of money. Loads (and I means loads) of foreigners liek myself worked to pay for our extended visit. We paid the highest tax rate (39%) most of the time. In addition we got paid out into a superannuation fund by law (sorta like a mandatory RRSP) In the past all we needed to do to get a full refund was present a plane ticket showing we were leaving the country and they would cut us a check.

Then they decided to balance the books on our backs. They said that because we might "retire" (I kid you not) there someday they would hold on to it until we reached legal retirement age. In other words they were keeping the money. Of course if we didn't contribute on a regular basis then the maitenace fees would simply eat it away.

Great way for the govt to raise billions without taxing the voters one read cent. Needless to say it was popular among the aussies.

I'm waiting till I turn 65 to fly back over and claim they owe me a full pension!

[Sapio]

The problem is that we want the government to look after us like Children at the same time we want them to cut taxes which will raise our allowance. Until this cycle stops any government (Liberal or Conservative) will cut taxes in times of plenty and rise them or run a deficit in the bad times.

[DerbyX]

Sapio Sapio:

The problem is that we want the government to look after us like Children at the same time we want them to cut taxes which will raise our allowance. Until this cycle stops any government (Liberal or Conservative) will cut taxes in times of plenty and rise them or run a deficit in the bad times.

The Liberals cut taxes in the times of plenty as it should have been. The Conseravtives cut taxes and increased spending which is why they haven't got the revenue to cover the cost of their platform.

[Sapio]

DerbyX DerbyX:

Sapio Sapio:

The problem is that we want the government to look after us like Children at the same time we want them to cut taxes which will raise our allowance. Until this cycle stops any government (Liberal or Conservative) will cut taxes in times of plenty and rise them or run a deficit in the bad times.

The Liberals cut taxes in the times of plenty as it should have been. The Conseravtives cut taxes and increased spending which is why they haven't got the revenue to cover the cost of their platform.

And they did it during a time of Plenty and now they talk about a deficit in hard times. I never thought I would hear a Liberal complain about Government spending.

[bootlegga]

Same thing goes for Taiwan, they charge foreign workers 20% or 25% income tax in the first 6 months of your time there, then drop it to a reasonable rate. When I went in 2002, I was losing over 10,000 NT (then about $550 CDN) a month to tax...yikes! Frankly, I'd like to know how Japan can keep its taxes so low. When I was there, I only paid about 20,000 yen ($250 CDN) a month on taxes, out of an income of $3500 CDN.

The Conservatives cancelled the rebate in 2007, so nobody who visits gets any rebate now.

[DerbyX]

Sapio Sapio:

And they did it during a time of Plenty and now they talk about a deficit in hard times. I never thought I would hear a Liberal complain about Government spending.

Its the deficit we are complaining about. It costs us not only this year but every other year we pay interest on it.

Lets also remember that he Conservatives bitched non-stop about the Liberals for running surpluses and paying down the debt.

Whos complaints are fair?

[Sapio]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Frankly, I'd like to know how Japan can keep its taxes so low. When I was there, I only paid about 20,000 yen ($250 CDN) a month on taxes, out of an income of $3500 CDN.

They have a lot of Private/public partnerships on thing like health care.

[DerbyX]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Same thing goes for Taiwan, they charge foreign workers 20% or 25% income tax in the first 6 months of your time there, then drop it to a reasonable rate. When I went in 2002, I was losing over 10,000 NT (then about $550 CDN) a month to tax...yikes! Frankly, I'd like to know how Japan can keep its taxes so low. When I was there, I only paid about 20,000 yen ($250 CDN) a month on taxes, out of an income of $3500 CDN.

The Conservatives cancelled the rebate in 2007, so nobody who visits gets any rebate now.

So they understand how much money visitors to Canada spent in terms of GST. They did know that the GST cut was the wrong move but decided that because it was the most popular they went against good buisness sense for the sake of a few votes!

Tell me again which party gets called the "do anything for power"?

[Tricks]

So pretty much every country in the world is going to have a deficit, but it's the conservatives fault. Makes sense to me.

[hurley_108]

Tricks Tricks:

So pretty much every country in the world is going to have a deficit, but it's the conservatives fault. Makes sense to me.

The c/Conservatives are just getting their comeuppance here. Liberal and NDP governments at the federal and provincial levels have been raked over the coals for deficit spending during economoic downturns. Now it's the Conservatives' turn to be vilified for doing the right thing. I've got no sympathy at all.

[bootlegga]

DerbyX DerbyX:

So they understand how much money visitors to Canada spent in terms of GST. They did know that the GST cut was the wrong move but decided that because it was the most popular they went against good buisness sense for the sake of a few votes!

Tell me again which party gets called the "do anything for power"?

Now, now Derby, we all know that only the LIBERALS play politics. The Conservatives are better then the rest of us mere mortals and never stoop to such crass things...

[bootlegga]

Tricks Tricks:

So pretty much every country in the world is going to have a deficit, but it's the conservatives fault. Makes sense to me.

Yep, I'd agree with that...

The reason we're behind the eight ball is because they cut taxes AND raised spending, assuming the good times would go on forever. Prudent financial planning dictates that you do one or the other, and save a little for a rainy day, 'just in case', but Harper and the Conservatives were too busy trying to get a majority (by trying to give everyone what they wanted).

[Tricks]

hurley_108 hurley_108:

Tricks Tricks:

So pretty much every country in the world is going to have a deficit, but it's the conservatives fault. Makes sense to me.

The c/Conservatives are just getting their comeuppance here. Liberal and NDP governments at the federal and provincial levels have been raked over the coals for deficit spending during economoic downturns. Now it's the Conservatives' turn to be vilified for doing the right thing. I've got no sympathy at all.

So the conservatives did it, so it's ok.

Where have I heard that? Oh right.

[Tricks]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Tricks Tricks:

So pretty much every country in the world is going to have a deficit, but it's the conservatives fault. Makes sense to me.

Yep, I'd agree with that...

The reason we're behind the eight ball is because they cut taxes AND raised spending, assuming the good times would go on forever. Prudent financial planning dictates that you do one or the other, and save a little for a rainy day, 'just in case', but Harper and the Conservatives were too busy trying to get a majority (by trying to give everyone what they wanted).

So they raised spending and lowered taxes when we had a huge surplus trying to even it out, and should be blamed for not seeing that the world was going to go into a recession. Can I use your crystal ball for my next exam? Don't get me wrong, I agree they should have done one or the other. But to fault them for a deficit right now is pretty stupid, regardless of what party it is.

[bootlegga]

Tricks Tricks:

bootlegga bootlegga:

Tricks Tricks:

So pretty much every country in the world is going to have a deficit, but it's the conservatives fault. Makes sense to me.

Yep, I'd agree with that...

The reason we're behind the eight ball is because they cut taxes AND raised spending, assuming the good times would go on forever. Prudent financial planning dictates that you do one or the other, and save a little for a rainy day, 'just in case', but Harper and the Conservatives were too busy trying to get a majority (by trying to give everyone what they wanted).

So they raised spending and lowered taxes when we had a huge surplus trying to even it out, and should be blamed for not seeing that the world was going to go into a recession. Can I use your crystal ball for my next exam? Don't get me wrong, I agree they should have done one or the other. But to fault them for a deficit right now is pretty stupid, regardless of what party it is.

Well, compare them to Alberta's Conservatives then. Ours built in a hedge, and though oil has fallen from $147/barrel to $50, we still have a surplus (down from $8 billion to $2 billion, but a surplus nonetheless), despite axing health care premiums and added spending.

Now look at the federal Conservatives. They went from a $14 billion surplus last year under Flaherty, to $1 billion this year and a $4 billion deficit next year. If $18 billion (BTW, that's the size of our defence budget next year) disappearing from the federal budget doesn't shock you, then nothing will.