Canadian Doctors say 'Tax Us More" so we pay our fair share

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Canadian Doctors 'Tax Us More"

by Annie Urban, March 25, 2012

Read more: http://www.care2.com...l#ixzz1qEecPvvP

A group called Doctors for Fair Taxation is calling on the Canadian government to increase their taxes. Under the slogan, "Tax us. Canada's worth it," these doctors are suggesting the implementation of additional surtaxes for high earning Canadians. Personal income taxes in Canada are determined by a combination of federal and provincial income tax rates, using tax brackets based on income levels. However, the tax brackets top out at an annual income of $132,406. That means that anyone who earns more than that will pay the same rate on any additional dollar earned. The combined marginal tax rate for earnings above $132,406 ranges from 39% in Alberta (29% federal, 10% provincial) to 48.22% in Quebec. So someone earning $135,000 has the same marginal tax rate as someone earning millions of dollars.

The Doctors for Fair Taxation are proposing a sliding scale of additional taxes for high earners, specifically:

• 1% additional tax for earnings between $100,000 and $170,000 (top 10% of earners)
• 2% additional tax for earnings between $170,000 and $640,000 (top 1% of earners)
• 3% additional tax for earnings between $640,000 and $1.85 million (top 1/10 of 1% of earners)
• 6% additional tax on earnings over $1.85 million (top 1/100 of 1% of earners)

According to their calculations, this would bring in an additional $3.5 billion annually for the federal government and $1.7 billion for the province of Ontario.

The reasons for the proposed sur-tax are simple. According to Dr. Gary Bloch, a Toronto family doctor and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, "almost all of the economic gains of the past decade have gone to Canada's top 1% but our taxes haven't gone up accordingly." Dr. Tanya Zakrison says "we're debating cutting back programs and services that are crucial to providing young people with alternatives to a life of gangs, drugs and violence. Why aren't we talking about those of us with higher incomes paying our fair share?" Another doctor, Dr. Rosana Pellizzari notes that cutbacks in one area can actually result in increased costs and pressure on our health care system in other areas: "We spend tens of thousands of dollars of care rescuing a homeless person's life but if they end up on the streets again, it's public services [that the government is cutting back on] that keep them from returning to the emergency department."

The doctors point out that unequal societies are less healthy than equal ones and they want to take the lead in asking for greater social justice. Their idea is an excellent one, but unlikely to be implemented with a majority Conservative government in power.

What can the doctors do, in the meantime, to convince their colleagues and counterparts in other industries to voluntarily turn their proposed surtax into charitable donations toward organizations that provide community services?

Read more: http://www.care2.com...l#ixzz1qEdvhVwW

[luckytxn 2,264]

Was just remembering all the time I spent in Canada and everyone telling me how they had FREE health care.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Canadian Doctors 'Tax Us More"

write the check & be done doc. /thread

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Was just remembering all the time I spent in Canada and everyone telling me how they had FREE health care.

I know. I heard the same thing. Ignorance is bliss for some.

write the check & be done doc. /thread

[^_^ 5,021]

Kathryn,

Do you support this mentality?

If so, you're a socialist. I question whether a socialist can adequately moderate a political forum dominated by right wing nuts.

Please step aside and give your job to Danno. It's the right thing to do and you know it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Kathryn,

Do you support this mentality?

If so, you're a socialist. I question whether a socialist can adequately moderate a political forum dominated by right wing nuts.

Please step aside and give your job to Danno. It's the right thing to do and you know it.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Kathryn,

Do you support this mentality?

If so, you're a socialist. I question whether a socialist can adequately moderate a political forum dominated by right wing nuts.

Please step aside and give your job to Danno. It's the right thing to do and you know it.

LOL! Of course I'm a socialist! Obviously, I am the best one for the job as I will be concerned equally about the well-being of everyone here. And - are you really sure you want to set the fox to guarding the chicken coop?

Commentary on the above - the Canadian health care system isn't free - it is tax payer supported. The Canada Health Act ensures that every Canadian regardless of economic well-being, cultural background or geographic location is ensured equal and fair access to the same level of quality health care as any other Canadian. The costs are paid by the Federal and Provincial governments from tax based dollars. The 'rates' are established by the government and the doctors submit their invoices to the government for reimbursement depending on the actual medical services rendered. In the US, doctors negotiate with different insurance companies to determine how much they will be reimbursed for patient care. In Canada, the governments take the place of the insurance companies. The costs are lower, there is no middle man seeking profit as the government is not in it for profit but for equitable value on the money spent, and the quality of care is comparable, and in many cases, (in my opinion having experienced both systems) superior to the health care in the US.

What I really liked in the above article was the doctors' slogan: "Tax us: Canada is worth it".

[sly_wolf 199]

Canadian Doctors 'Tax Us More"

by Annie Urban, March 25, 2012

Read more: http://www.care2.com...l#ixzz1qEecPvvP

A group called Doctors for Fair Taxation is calling on the Canadian government to increase their taxes. Under the slogan, "Tax us. Canada's worth it," these doctors are suggesting the implementation of additional surtaxes for high earning Canadians. Personal income taxes in Canada are determined by a combination of federal and provincial income tax rates, using tax brackets based on income levels. However, the tax brackets top out at an annual income of $132,406. That means that anyone who earns more than that will pay the same rate on any additional dollar earned. The combined marginal tax rate for earnings above $132,406 ranges from 39% in Alberta (29% federal, 10% provincial) to 48.22% in Quebec. So someone earning $135,000 has the same marginal tax rate as someone earning millions of dollars.

The Doctors for Fair Taxation are proposing a sliding scale of additional taxes for high earners, specifically:

• 1% additional tax for earnings between $100,000 and $170,000 (top 10% of earners)
• 2% additional tax for earnings between $170,000 and $640,000 (top 1% of earners)
• 3% additional tax for earnings between $640,000 and $1.85 million (top 1/10 of 1% of earners)
• 6% additional tax on earnings over $1.85 million (top 1/100 of 1% of earners)

According to their calculations, this would bring in an additional $3.5 billion annually for the federal government and $1.7 billion for the province of Ontario.

The reasons for the proposed sur-tax are simple. According to Dr. Gary Bloch, a Toronto family doctor and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, "almost all of the economic gains of the past decade have gone to Canada's top 1% but our taxes haven't gone up accordingly." Dr. Tanya Zakrison says "we're debating cutting back programs and services that are crucial to providing young people with alternatives to a life of gangs, drugs and violence. Why aren't we talking about those of us with higher incomes paying our fair share?" Another doctor, Dr. Rosana Pellizzari notes that cutbacks in one area can actually result in increased costs and pressure on our health care system in other areas: "We spend tens of thousands of dollars of care rescuing a homeless person's life but if they end up on the streets again, it's public services [that the government is cutting back on] that keep them from returning to the emergency department."

The doctors point out that unequal societies are less healthy than equal ones and they want to take the lead in asking for greater social justice. Their idea is an excellent one, but unlikely to be implemented with a majority Conservative government in power.

What can the doctors do, in the meantime, to convince their colleagues and counterparts in other industries to voluntarily turn their proposed surtax into charitable donations toward organizations that provide community services?

Read more: http://www.care2.com...l#ixzz1qEdvhVwW

I doubt that this would include Doctors in Quebec.

[^_^ 5,021]

And - are you really sure you want to set the fox to guarding the chicken coop?

I think this forum deserves moderation by someone not hostile to the core philosophy of the majority of its most active posters.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I think this forum deserves moderation by someone not hostile to the core philosophy of the majority of its most active posters.

There is a difference between holding a different opinion and being hostile. I am not hostile. I may not agree with your opinion but that doesn't mean I would in any way deny you your right to your opinion.

Edited March 26, 2012 by Kathryn41

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I doubt that this would include Doctors in Quebec.

No, probably not. Although, some might be willing to pay more tax to the Provincial government if they put separation back on the table.

[luckytxn 2,264]

There is a difference between holding a different opinion and being hostile. I am not hostile. I may not agree with your opinion but that doesn't mean I would in any way deny you your right to your opinion.

Hello Kathyrn. I would like to welcome you to Politics and Religion.

[^_^ 5,021]

Hello Kathyrn. I would like to welcome you to Politics and Religion.

There is a difference between holding a different opinion and being hostile. I am not hostile. I may not agree with your opinion but that doesn't mean I would in any way deny you your right to your opinion.

Socialism is hostile to liberty. You may pretend otherwise, but that don't make it so.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Socialism is hostile to liberty. You may pretend otherwise, but that don't make it so.

Nor does your saying so .

[^_^ 5,021]

Nor does your saying so .

Someone gave me a +1 though.