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Alberta has room to increase income tax

Times Colonist
February 7, 2013

Re: “Alberta’s cautionary tale,” editorial, Feb. 1.

There is ample evidence that Alberta’s resource-royalty rates have been on the low side. Readers could read a little about this here: policyalternatives.ca/publications/commentary/managing-oil-wealth.

If Albertans are unwilling to seek a fair price for their natural resources, the obvious solution is contained in your editorial that was printed immediately above, “MSP premiums should be axed.”

Alberta need not adopt a regressive sales tax. They have ample room to simply return their regressive, flat 10 per cent provincial income tax to a progressive income tax with rates increasing with ability to pay, as necessary to balance their budget.

They would still have among the lowest income-tax rates in Canada.

Rick Lebitschnig

Crofton

© Copyright 2013

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