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Inequality isnt inevitable. Its a political choice. Only by insisting our governments pursue policies that are equitable for all Canadians can we ensure a fair, safe, healthy, and vibrant democracy for Canada. To make that happen, you need to be involved. The poll findings in this report lay the groundwork for the Broadbent Institutes Equality Project which will engage Canadians and decision-makers in a renewed agenda to end inequality in Canada. Join the Broadbent Institute today and help us lead progressives to victory as we develop social democratic policy, equip a new generation of progressive campaigners and thinkers through training and education and propose solutions for a more equal Canada. Visit broadbentinstitute.ca to learn more about our Equality Project, to get involved, to sign up for our e-updates, and to make a donation. Send feedback and suggestions to equality@broadbentinstitute.ca or message us on Twitter or Facebook.
Canada needs to take immediate action to reduce the problem of income inequality. 71% of Canadians think that the widening gap between rich and poor undermines Canadian values. If left unchecked, income inequality will have a long-term, negative impact by reducing our:
79%
75% 72%
Standard of Living Community Safety Quality of Healthcare & Public Services Employment Opportunities for Young People Democratic Principles
71%
67%
71%
According to the survey results, individuals care about worsening income inequality because they believe it has an impact on the safety of their community, on the health of the country, and on the vibrancy of our democracy.
Statistics Canada, Conference Board of Canada, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the OECD. 2 Environics Research surveyed 2,000 Canadians between March 6 and 18, 2012 to conduct a telephone poll on attitudes toward income inequality. The results of a survey of this magnitude can be considered accurate to within plus or minus 2.2 percent, 19 times out of 20.
Valuing equality so highly, Canadians are prepared to do their part. Most Canadians are ready and willing to contribute by paying higher taxes if it means their government would protect public services and make reducing income inequality a higher priority.
The
majority of
71% 72%
58%
These findings indicate that concern about income inequality in Canada is not simply a left-right ideological issue. When it comes to the desire to protect public services and reduce income inequality, Canadians are more united than we are polarized. Support for government action to reduce income inequality cuts across all party lines, geographic divides, income levels, and gender or age differences. In other words, only a small minority of Canadians find it acceptable that income inequality is getting worse, and that our governments are doing nothing about it. The ma jority of Canadians are ready to embrace solutions.
Concern about
income
77%
think a
80% 70%
big
BC
We also asked Canadians if they agreed with this statement: Theres nothing wrong with a widening income gap, it just means people have to work harder at being rich themselves. A minority only 20% of Canadians agreed with this view.
AB
inequality
78%
MB SK
ATL ON QC
2 3
out of
Notably, in an era where the federal government has focused on narrow casting policies that favour older voters, more than half (51%) of Canadas seniors (age 60 and over) told Environics they would like government to rank income inequality as a top priority. The older people are, the more they tend to see income inequality as a top priority. They are concerned about the legacy they are leaving to future generations of Canadians.
83%
73%
An overwhelming majority of Canadians (83%) are in favour of increasing income taxes on the wealthiest3 and those at high-income levels are just as supportive of this proposal.
of Canadians
want
Canada used to have an inheritance tax but it was scrapped in the 1980s.4 Our research shows that most Canadians (69%) support the introduction of a new 35% inheritance tax on any estate valued above $5 million. Finally, the majority of Canadians want corporate Canada to play its part too. Almost three-quarters (73%) of Canadians support gradually increasing corporate tax rates back to 2008 levels even a ma jority of Conservative voters support this measure.
These results are based on a question that was asked to a split sample. Half of respondents were asked whether they support increasing income taxes on individuals earning more than $250,000, and the other half were asked whether they support increasing income taxes on individuals earning more than $500,000. The results were very similar for both options and the results presented here are based on the average of support for either of the two options. 4 http://www.canadafaq.ca/what+is+inheritance+tax+in+canada/
Conclusion
The option of raising taxes to protect the social programs we cherish and to address income inequality has been absent from public debate for too long. While Canadians clearly see that change in tax policy is one way of dealing with income inequality they also want it to be fair and equitable. Most importantly, Canadians are far ahead of their political leaders in terms of seeing the relationship between Canadas rising income inequality and our declining living standards. Theyre looking to their governments for leadership to reduce this inequality, to protect public services that we all rely upon, and to take a second look at tax options that could help preserve our way of life. While Canadians are willing to do their part by paying higher taxes to protect public programs, they also want the wealthy to do their part by contributing more income taxes and through the introduction of a new inheritance tax on the largest estates in Canada. They support requiring corporate Canada to do its part by paying 2008-level taxes. Theyre asking governments to do their part too by making income inequality reduction a priority.
9Canadians out of 10
reducing the income gap
think
These opinions are widely shared by Canadians no matter where they live, how they vote or how much money they make. The idea of reducing income inequality and raising taxes to protect our way of life enjoys popular support across the country. For Canadians the problem of income inequality is not ideological. It is a matter of deep Canadian values, the sense of fairness and equality that inform our very pragmatic approach to nation building. Throughout our history, Canadians have proven that we
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are willing to make a few sacrifices to preserve what we love about Canada, but we also expect everyone to pitch in and do their part. Even Canadas wealthy agree. Now, its time for Canadas political leaders to catch up with public sentiment. For our part, the Broadbent Institute will tirelessly press for progressive change under its Equality Project, because its not only a reflection of what Canadians want for their country, its an essential way to preserve the Canada we love.
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