Editorial: One year later…

December 5, 2019 Editor Opinion

Does South Dundas appear any different to you? One year after the current South Dundas council was sworn into office, an unprecedented amount of progress has taken place, improving how South Dundas’ government represents its citizens. That progress has been evident in three ways: people, infrastructure, and community.

There has been a concentrated effort to celebrate the work people do in South Dundas. This is evidenced by the new firefighter graduation ceremony, the new business awards community breakfast, and how quickly South Dundas council supported renaming a street after one of its community builders.

Improved community engagement has become a focal point. The youth engagement survey undertaken by South Dundas has highlighted much of what is needed here, and there are now economic development and tourism committees working on ways to attract new businesses to the community. Multiple consultations on hot-button issues like local schools and infrastructure have taken our voices into consideration. And the round of “Coffee with Council” sessions were a hit.

Many of the big infrastructure issues from the last municipal election have seen movement. One of the two landfill sites permanently closed in June, but South Dundas is on its way to a sensible landfill solution. What was a messy situation over the Iroquois Campground building has been deftly handled, with the construction of a replacement presently underway. Refurbishment, not replacement, is the plan now for the aging water towers in Iroquois and Morrisburg.

There are still issues. Not everything has been resolved as planned. The building code issues and subsequent renovations to Carman House remain ongoing. Just down the street, the Forward House is a building still looking for a purpose. The replacement of the floor at Matilda Hall was to be completed this year: it has not even been touched. Nor has the planned renovation/replacement of the Morrisburg Village Plaza clock tower occurred. All are straightforward projects, still sitting incomplete or ignored.

The overall theme of the first year of this council has been progress. That in-and-of-itself is refreshing. It is our hope that the council’s energy has not all been spent in the first year, and that we can look forward to more progress in South Dundas in each of the next three years.

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Opinion

Four ways families pay less tax

February 4, 2015 Editor Opinion

I am firm believer that some of our government’s proudest accomplishments have been providing financial support and tax relief to Canadian seniors who have built our great country. 

Whether it has been actions like pension splitting for seniors or increasing the Guaranteed Income Supplement, millions of seniors across Canada have seen a lower pension burden and more support from our government. 

Another key demographic of our country’s success is ensuring the strength and financial viability of Canadian families. And I’m really proud of our government’s recent announcement of a package of tax cuts and increased benefits to make life more affordable for Canadian families. 

Here’s how families can put more money in their pockets in 2015:

1. The Family Tax Cut 

The new Family Tax Cut can lower a family’s overall tax bill by allowing a spouse to effectively transfer up to $50,000 of taxable income to a spouse in a lower tax bracket for federal tax purposes, providing tax relief up to a maximum of $2,000. 

This measure is aimed at couples with children under the age of 18, where one spouse is in a higher income tax bracket than the other.

For example, if one spouse earns $75,000 per year and the other earns $15,000, the higher- income earner could effectively transfer $30,000 to the lower-income spouse for federal tax purposes. 

This would reduce the amount of tax the couple pays by bringing the higher-income spouse into the lowest income tax bracket, resulting in the maximum tax savings of $2,000.

Couples can claim the Family Tax Cut on their 2014 tax returns. To benefit, each spouse must file a tax return, and either spouse may claim the credit.

2. The Universal Child Care Benefit

As part of its family-friendly measures, the Government is also proposing to enhance the Universal Child Care Benefit. 

Parents with children under the age of 6 would receive $160 per month, up from $100. 

In addition, parents with children aged 6 through 17 would receive $60 per month. 

These changes will take effect on January 1, 2015 and be reflected in monthly payments to recipients beginning in July 2015, pending approval of the necessary legislation. The July 2015 payments would include six months of benefits to cover the January to June 2015 period. 

Parents already receiving payments for children under the age of 6 will automatically receive higher monthly benefits, starting in July 2015. 

The July 2015 payment will include up to six months of benefits to cover the January to June 2015 period. 

Parents eligible for the new benefit, for children aged 6 through 17 will begin receiving $60 per month for each eligible child, starting in July 2015. The July 2015 payment will include six months of benefits to cover the January to June 2015 period. 

How do parents qualify? By completing the Canada Child Benefits Application form. Parents who have already completed this form to access other child-related benefits do not have to resubmit the form unless their family situation has changed. 

3. The Child Care Expense Deduction

Parents incurring child care expenses to go to work or school can deduct child care expenses from their income when filing their tax returns. 

Starting in the 2015 taxation year, the Government has proposed that the maximum dollar amount that can be claimed each year increase by $1,000. The new maximum dollar limits would be:

• $8,000 per child under age 7;

• $5,000 per child aged 7 to 16 (and for infirm dependent children over age 16); and

• $11,000 for children who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. 

4. The Children’s Fitness Tax Credit

If parents have kids enrolled in sports, they can now claim expenses of up to $1,000 per year for each eligible child. That’s double what they could have claimed previously. 

Parents can take advantage of the new $1,000 limit when they file their tax returns for 2014.

Starting in 2015, the credit will become refundable, which means that families with incomes too low to be taxable will also benefit when they file their 2015 tax returns. 

Our government understands the importance of strong Canadian families. If constituents would like more information, my staff and I are available to assist you at 1-888-805-2513 or info@guylauzon.ca.

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