July 2005 Archives

Canada Child Tax Benefit - Monthly Payments

Did you know that the Canada Revenue Agency issues on a monthly basis The Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB), a tax-free monthly payment to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under the age of 18.

Payment for July 2005 was made on July 20, 2005 totalling more than $806 million to more than 3 million recipients across Canada. Recipients who are entitled to this benefit payment and have not received it by July 30, 2005 should contact the Agency's enquiry service at 1-800-387-1193.

The next monthly payment will be made on August 19, 2005. For more information see the Canada Child Tax Benefit section of the CRA web site.

The Disability Advisory Committee

The Canada Revenue Agency has announced that formation of the Disability Advisory Committee:

"Minister of National Revenue John McCallum announced yesterday, the creation of the Disability Advisory Committee to deal with the administrative aspects of the Disability Tax Credit and with implementing recommendations made by the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities."

The Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities was created in 2003 to recommend ways of improving the fairness of treatment for persons with disabilities under the income tax system. All 12 committee members were appointed by Minister McCallum and come from different areas of the country representing diverse groups.

For more information see the news release on the CRA web site:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/releases/2005/july/nr050719-e.html

Alberta’s “Baby Steps” on Health Care Reform

Alberta's "Baby Steps" on Health Care Reform – A Small Step Forward

St. Andrews by-the-Sea (New Brunswick): The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today responded to the Alberta government's health care announcement, describing the reforms as "baby steps" towards more choice and accountability within the medicare system. The province will open up the state-run health care system to more competition by permitting health authorities to contract medical services out to the private sector. However, the prohibition on medical insurance remains in place.

"Canadians should have the right to spend their own money on health care services for themselves and their loved ones as recently directed by the Supreme Court of Canada in its Chaoulli ruling," stated CTF federal director John Williamson.

"Albertans are allowed to spend their own money on alcohol, tobacco, vacations, jewelry, VLTs, and fast food. But when it comes to better health care or faster health care, Alberta’s laws prohibit its residents from buying their own medical insurance to obtain better health care," added Williamson. "Unfortunately, this ban remains in place after today’s announcement in Calgary."

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Act has similar provisions to the Quebec law struck down by the Supreme Court this past June, which prevents people from spending their own after-tax dollars on their own health care. In its Chaoulli decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that suffering – and dying – while waiting for "non-urgent" medical care violates our right to "life, liberty and security of the person.' The court noted – on the basis of unchallenged evidence before it – that delays for surgery cause irreparable physical injury, and can even result in death. Further, living in pain for months – or years – while waiting for surgery interferes with the quality and enjoyment of life, not to mention a person's ability to earn a living.

In the most recent ranking of public health care systems by the World Health Organization, Canada ranked 30th in the world, behind France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Morocco, Singapore, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and other countries which allow a private parallel system to co-exist alongside the public system.

"Canada, North Korea and Cuba are the only countries in the world which outlaw the freedom to spend one's own after-tax income on one's own health. It's time to amend the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act, and if necessary the Canada Health Act, to allow Albertans and other Canadians to spend their own money on the medical services and medical insurance of their choice," concluded Williamson.

John Williamson
Canadian Taxpayers Federation

CRA July GST credit payments

On July 5, 2005 the Canada Revenue Agency issued the July goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments.

Those individuals who chose to have their GST/HST credit payments deposited directly into their accounts should have received their payments on that day. Individuals who receive their GST/HST credit cheques by mail can expect to receive them within the 10 business days.

For more information, see:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/releases/2005/july/nr050705-e.html

BC Logging Tax Act forms update

The Government of British Columbia has posted a What's New notification identifying the updates of several Logging Tax Act related forms now available on its web site.

FIN 571: Authorizing the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue to release confidential tax payer information in matters pertaining to the Logging Tax Act

FIN 192: Waiver of the Time Period for Assessment pursuant to the Logging Tax Act

FIN 194: Notice of Revocation of Waiver pursuant to the Logging Tax Act

For more information see:
http://www.rev.gov.bc.ca/itb/WhatNew/log-Jul2005.htm

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!

Whether you are celebrating along with us on Parliament Hill, or anywhere else across the nation or the globe, Happy Canada Day! If you're able to, come out and enjoy the fireworks in Ottawa on Canada Day... Your tax dollars pay for it! It's truly a spectacular display not to be missed. Show your patriotism and be glad we live in the best country in the world.

For a calendar of events on celebrating Canada, see the Department of Canadian Heritage Celebrate Canada web site or view the National Capital Commission Canada Day web site.

Enjoy the holiday, Canada!