Roses in December

 

Canada is one of the world’s best countries to live and do business in. Paying taxes is not fun, but as Canadians, we understand that taxes pay for the things we rely on day-to-day; health care, education, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. 

As a Government, we really try to keep taxes as low as possible. We understand and appreciate how important it is for hardworking Canadian families to find savings wherever they can. This is especially true for students, who usually earn very little while they are focusing on education and training.

Since forming Government, we have introduced a number of important measures that have brought relief to Canadians’ wallets, including support and benefits for our students. Many people are aware that fifteen per cent of eligible tuition fees can be claimed as a tax credit. 

All Canadian students can claim fees paid to a university, college, or other education institutions in Canada for courses taken at the post-secondary level. What some may not know is that eligible tuition fees include application, admission, and academic fees, as well as, charges for the use of library or laboratory facilities; mandatory computer service fees; examination fees; athletic and health services fees; and more. 

In addition, students can claim what we call an education amount for each month – or part of a month – that they are enrolled in a qualifying educational program. That amount is $400 a month for full-time students and $120 per month for part-time students. 

Even those who receive salaries or wages while they take a course related to their job can claim the education amount if they are enrolled in a qualifying education program.

Students can also claim a textbook amount for each month that they qualify for the education amount. That’s an additional $65 a month for full-time students and $20 for part-time students.

We think that is good news for students! 

Post-secondary students enrolled in full-time programs who move at least 40 kilometers closer to their new school can deduct moving expenses paid through the year.  

These allowances are in place so that all students have the opportunity to get all the credits and benefits they are entitled to. 

Finally, when it comes time to repaying student loans, it is important to note that the interest on those loans may be claimed as a non-refundable tax credit. 

There are many more tax credits available so please visit: www.cra.gc.ca/students for more information. 

Our Government encourages students to report their income and pay their taxes – that’s their responsibility as citizens. And it’s my responsibility as MP to help make sure that students here in Stormont Dundas and South Glengarry are aware of the tax savings available to them. 

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The great November 11 ceremony by the War Memorial in Ottawa, a ceremony which has always drawn thousands of Canadians, will, this year, be small and quiet. In the towns, villages and hamlets of Canada, […]

Our Government believes one of ways we can grow our economy and create jobs is by expanding our international exports through trade agreements. After many years and a great amount of effort Canada, with the unanimous endorsement of all provinces and territories, reached a historic agreement in principle on a free trade agreement with the European Union last October. Last Tuesday, Canada and the European Union announced that officials have reached a complete text, allowing translation and final legal review to commence. 

 

This lays the groundwork for a September Canada-EU Summit that will be hosted in Canada. Last week it was also announced that Prime Minister Harper and Minister Fast will lead a trade mission to the United Kingdom in early September to secure the jobs and first-mover competitive advantages the historic Canada-EU trade agreement creates.

 

This is another important step toward the implementation of the historic Canada-EU trade agreement, which will create jobs and economic opportunities for hard-working Canadians in every region of the country including right here in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.

 

As per their involvement throughout the process, Canada’s provinces and territories have received the complete text and have been comprehensively briefed on its content as well as on next steps. 

 

The EU is the world’s largest integrated economy, with more than 500 million consumers and a GDP of $17 trillion. Out of more than 9,000 EU tariff lines, approximately 98 per cent will be duty-free for Canadian goods when the Canada-EU trade pact comes into force. A joint study concluded that the trade agreement with the European Union would be of significant benefit to Canada, resulting in a 20 per cent boost in bilateral trade and a $12-billion increase in Canada’s annual income (GDP), the equivalent to creating almost 80,000 new jobs or increasing the average Canadian household’s annual income by $1,000. 

 

Our upcoming UK trade mission will help Canadian businesses secure their first-mover advantages in the largest and most lucrative market in the world, even as translation and final legal review of the text proceeds. 

 

I am very proud of the Prime Minister and Minister of International Trade for their extensive work on this trade deal, which will have a huge impact on Canada's economy for decades to come.

 

Guy Lauzon

Member of Parliament

Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

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