'What Trudeau won't tax' hashtag pokes fun at PM
Published: IPOLITICS
By: Janice Dickson
As the Trudeau government continues to defend its controversial tax proposals in the face of fierce private sector criticism, a new hashtag has emerged on Twitter poking fun at the things Trudeau "won't tax."
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel appeared to help initiate the conversation.
"This is just begging for a hashtag. I'll go first. His cabinet Minister's taxpayer funded limo rides to hockey games. #whattrudeauwonttax," tweeted Rempel.
The hashtag emerged after it was reported that a document on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website indicates that employee discounts for merchandise should be treated as a taxable benefit. The document, known as a tax folio, states that when an employee receives a discount on merchandise because of their employment, the value of the discount is “generally included in the employees income.”
But while the Conservatives and lobby groups say the government is targeting retail workers, National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier insisted that’s not the case.
“Our government recognizes the important role that the retail sector and those working in it play in our communities and in our economy,” Lebouthillier said in a statement Tuesday.
“There have been no changes to the laws governing taxable benefits to retail employees. We are not targeting individuals working in retail. The Agency issued a guidance document to mainly provide assistance for employers and is committed to further clarifying the wording of the guidance to reflect this.”
With files from Canadian Press.
By: Janice Dickson
As the Trudeau government continues to defend its controversial tax proposals in the face of fierce private sector criticism, a new hashtag has emerged on Twitter poking fun at the things Trudeau "won't tax."
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel appeared to help initiate the conversation.
"This is just begging for a hashtag. I'll go first. His cabinet Minister's taxpayer funded limo rides to hockey games. #whattrudeauwonttax," tweeted Rempel.
The hashtag emerged after it was reported that a document on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website indicates that employee discounts for merchandise should be treated as a taxable benefit. The document, known as a tax folio, states that when an employee receives a discount on merchandise because of their employment, the value of the discount is “generally included in the employees income.”
But while the Conservatives and lobby groups say the government is targeting retail workers, National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier insisted that’s not the case.
“Our government recognizes the important role that the retail sector and those working in it play in our communities and in our economy,” Lebouthillier said in a statement Tuesday.
“There have been no changes to the laws governing taxable benefits to retail employees. We are not targeting individuals working in retail. The Agency issued a guidance document to mainly provide assistance for employers and is committed to further clarifying the wording of the guidance to reflect this.”
With files from Canadian Press.
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