Discussions

I was just reading CKLQ and the Manitoba government wants to impose a health care tax. It will be based on income and collected when filing taxes.  
 
Are they kidding me? I tell you this Conservative government best enjoy their time in office because this and other initiatives will pound the last nail in their coffin and it will many, many years before the voting public will even consider having their party in power again!

Let me preface this by saying I've never voted Conservative, so I'm not saying this out of fidelity to the party.  
 
BUT....  
 
As much as I don't like the idea of a health care tax (geared to income, so I'm assuming the lowest income earners won't pay it), we do need to look at the events in recent years, particularly:  
 
1. The financial mess the NDP left in many areas, including health spending. Health care costs increased significantly under their care, without a huge improvement in patient care. Hallway medicine still happened right up until the end (I know, I was in a gurney in a hallway at one point). Part of the reason the Cons were elected was to clean up the financial mess generally. There has been some significant cuts in recent months, with more coming. I think they're probably necessary from a financial point of view.  
 
2. Wasn't this whole Manitoba's-not-signing-the-health-transfer-agreement with Ottawa because the Liberals didn't follow through on their promise for more health dollars, and are actually reducing the amount of health transfer payments (which granted was something set in motion by the previous administration)? At least, that was my understanding, and a big reason why the MB government held out as long as they did before signing it.  
 
I'm at least willing to hear it out, to understand why it's being tossed around as an idea and what it's supposed to accomplish. Remember, the NDP also raised taxes after a "no new taxes" promise, so I wouldn't hold my breath that it will be much better if we revert to them.

The Liberals actually offered to INCREASE funding by 3%. It was Pallister's cronies who falsely claimed that this was a decrease. You, and many others got sucked in by his spin, Abbysmum  
 
Pallister promised that he would not increase taxes but then did so for many seniors by removing the school tax exemption and now is talking about doing so again with this health care premium.

on radio news the health care tax in Alberta and Ontario I think is about 900 bucks a year.  
 
My Dad used to get 400 bucks a year from the school tax rebate and now? Nada. Makes a difference.

Everyone wants the same spending as the NDP it seems. The NDP have been running our province into billions of dollars of deficit. We cannot just keep throwing money at something that isn't working. Everyone wants to oust the Conservatives. How can we increase spending to school divisions, city departments, health care departments, etc without raising taxes or charging fees? The government wants to cut funding which needs to be done, yet unions instill fear in people screaming job losses. Nope can't have that, what is the next step....well do we keep borrowing until the province goes so deep we cannot see light, or do we raise taxes or charge a user fee? Where is the balance then? Something has to give. What is it?

As much as I don't want to pay a health care tax, other provinces already pay one. We have had it lucky for a while.

I am pretty sure that only BC and Ontario pay health care premiums. Alberta used to, but did away with it.

curlysister said "I am pretty sure that only BC and Ontario pay health care premiums. Alberta used to, but did away with it. "

Alberta got rid of it due to extra oil money and no debt. The are now billions again in the hole after the economy tanked. The are looking at bringing it back I heard. My parents in Alberta and others hate what the ndp are driving massive debt just like the did here.

Liberals are decreasing it, the trend has been to increase it by 6% annually, so 3% is indeed a decrease. And it makes a huge difference when we are talking a billions dollar budget.  
 
That being said, look the system over. There are inefficiencies that need to be dealt with. And I do believe that we need to fund a way to live within our means.

Johnbisonbear said "I was just reading CKLQ and the Manitoba government wants to impose a health care tax. It will be based on income and collected when filing taxes.     Are they kidding me? I tell you this Conservative government best enjoy their time in office because this and other initiatives will pound the last nail in their coffin and it will many, many years before the voting public will even consider having their party in power again! "

This is one new tax Ispecifically asked Len Isleifson if the conservatives would bring in if elected. Well I guess I was right. Lens response was to block me so I couldn't question him on it.

Johnbisonbear said "I was just reading CKLQ and the Manitoba government wants to impose a health care tax. It will be based on income and collected when filing taxes.     Are they kidding me? I tell you this Conservative government best enjoy their time in office because this and other initiatives will pound the last nail in their coffin and it will many, many years before the voting public will even consider having their party in power again! "

This is one new tax Ispecifically asked Len Isleifson if the conservatives would bring in if elected. Well I guess I was right. Lens response was to block me so I couldn't question him on it.

Johnbisonbear said "I was just reading CKLQ and the Manitoba government wants to impose a health care tax. It will be based on income and collected when filing taxes.     Are they kidding me? I tell you this Conservative government best enjoy their time in office because this and other initiatives will pound the last nail in their coffin and it will many, many years before the voting public will even consider having their party in power again! "

This is one new tax Ispecifically asked Len Isleifson if the conservatives would bring in if elected. Well I guess I was right. Lens response was to block me so I couldn't question him on it.

I will say one thing if they do this it is only the start as the tax will increase every year once it is applied. The government needs a COE that tells them how they can spend money that they have coming in and not oh well I'm out of here in 4 yrs no big deal not responsible and no consequences. If we run a business like this where do you think you would be out of business.

happytee said "Liberals are decreasing it, the trend has been to increase it by 6% annually, so 3% is indeed a decrease. And it makes a huge difference when we are talking a billions dollar budget.     That being said, look the system over. There are inefficiencies that need to be dealt with. And I do believe that we need to fund a way to live within our means. "

That''s similar to what Kelvin Goerzen said too. He also claimed that a 3% increase in funding was actually a decrease. Even though a 6% increase may be below your hope or expectation, 3% is still an increase.  
 
Pallister promised greater transparency, honesty and no tax increases. On this item alone he seems to fail on all three.  
 
Edited by standard standard h8r, 2017-09-14 07:39:51

blewbyyou said "    Johnbisonbear said "I was just reading CKLQ and the Manitoba government wants to impose a health care tax. It will be based on income and collected when filing taxes.     Are they kidding me? I tell you this Conservative government best enjoy their time in office because this and other initiatives will pound the last nail in their coffin and it will many, many years before the voting public will even consider having their party in power again! " This is one new tax Ispecifically asked Len Isleifson if the conservatives would bring in if elected. Well I guess I was right. Lens response was to block me so I couldn't question him on it. "

that I don't remember you asking Len that particular question. What I do remember is that you repeatedly asked Len if Pallister was going to commit to build a new school in the south end and if his government was going to support senior's affordable housing project that was trying to get off the ground at that time.

I know they quote "About $900 a year" but that'll be for minimum wage or singles. If my family of four earning a decent wage that I bust my butt for is going to pay a couple grand a year anyway I'd rather opt out and pay for insurance.

MrDobalina said "I know they quote "About $900 a year" but that'll be for minimum wage or singles. If my family of four earning a decent wage that I bust my butt for is going to pay a couple grand a year anyway I'd rather opt out and pay for insurance. "

I believe $900 is the max, and goes down to zero based on income.  
 
Remember how incensed the PC,s were when the NDP increased the PST without the referendum required by law? Guess it must be different somehow now that the PC's are in power.  
 
Hypocrisy at it's finest.

some of the biggest reasons for the money shortages are too many chiefs behind the wheel getting paid too much, immigrants that come to Canada and and instantly get healthcare coverage and have never paid a dime into it. Then you top it off with the illegal boarder crossings and they end up getting free healthcare. Manitoba is pretty much the most taxed prov. Our personal tax limit is one of the lowest behind 2 Atlantic Prov. When will it end? Soon 75% of all income will be going to taxes. Property taxes going though the roof each year as well.  
 
Edited by Jessica08, 2017-09-14 11:01:50

VTB said "    MrDobalina said "I know they quote "About $900 a year" but that'll be for minimum wage or singles. If my family of four earning a decent wage that I bust my butt for is going to pay a couple grand a year anyway I'd rather opt out and pay for insurance. " I believe $900 is the max, and goes down to zero based on income.     Remember how incensed the PC,s were when the NDP increased the PST without the referendum required by law? Guess it must be different somehow now that the PC's are in power.     Hypocrisy at it's finest. "

I just remember being 20 in Alberta and having to pay the premium...I never did and it was always going into collection because I was broke. I just don't get the fee's...put it into a tax increase...whatever...because the next thing that happens is all the guys that don't pay it creates a shortfall in projected revenues so they tag on a "cost recovery rider" or something like Hydro does (that $10 or so we pay on every bill to cover unpaid hydro bills)

I will have to wade more into the weeds on this one, considering the partisanship and the anti-tax bias that comes along with this (and every other tax increase). But assuming it is indeed necessary, then frankly, it is what it is.  
 
My thoughts move instead from trying to stop this, to trying to figure out how to rein it in at the end of the year. Seems like a great selfish reason to give more to charity.

Why is the person who has to step in and fix problems created by the previous people in charge always the bad guy?

What needs to happen is that those who are capable of working and are leeching off the system need to be held accountable and start contributing to the tax base. How much longer can those who work keep giving away a large portion of their income to support those who are unwilling to work and leech off the system? The system has a place and is needed (for those who use it for it's intention), but is sadly also abused by many, and the rest of society has to pick up the slack. Healthcare is expensive, and I'm happy to have it. But like everything else, so many people aren't paying into it, and its the rest of us that wind up with the tab for everyone. And it's burning people out.

No one likes paying more for anything but just remember that 900 or less a year is a far cry from the 5000+ the Americans pay for insurance. Instead of complaining on here lobby the government or better yet run for office and see what it's like trying to please everyone.

MacBook said "What needs to happen is that those who are capable of working and are leeching off the system need to be held accountable and start contributing to the tax base. How much longer can those who work keep giving away a large portion of their income to support those who are unwilling to work and leech off the system? The system has a place and is needed (for those who use it for it's intention), but is sadly also abused by many, and the rest of society has to pick up the slack. Healthcare is expensive, and I'm happy to have it. But like everything else, so many people aren't paying into it, and its the rest of us that wind up with the tab for everyone. And it's burning people out. "

abusers of the healthcare system and ambulance services? If this tax is to be based on income they will be paying diddly squat!

If your going to have a fee, split it up equally.

No cuts and no premiums. More checkups on welfare /(EIA recepiants) and mb housing users. These programs are for a helping hand up not a lifestyle choice.. that some abuse..The marijuana taxes starting in July should be more than enough to help healthcare, roads etc... just look at Colorado.

Johnbisonbear said "I was just reading CKLQ and the Manitoba government wants to impose a health care tax. It will be based on income and collected when filing taxes.     Are they kidding me? I tell you this Conservative government best enjoy their time in office because this and other initiatives will pound the last nail in their coffin and it will many, many years before the voting public will even consider having their party in power again! "

Pallister wants to cut the pst. To seven percent. Why would he want to cut the pst if they are so short of money. The pst is the fairest way to tax.

900 a Year if you go by Albertas model. Anyone earning under $20,000 a year is exempt under Alberta model. That is a 3% tax increase. It makes Palustris 1% GST not look so bad. With Hydro going up the cost-of-living going up how are we supposed to forward all of this. And as the previous poster wrote, cutting the tax exemption from the school for seniors is another cost. The questionnaire and that their government ask is do you want to Pay a premium or lose services? That is blackmail and we're losing services anyway daily if you listen to the news. They want to look for efficiencies in healthcare start by cutting the bureaucratic crap. The regional health authority model that the concert is Friday and has cost Manitobans millions and millions of dollars. We have a cut and slash government wanting to privatize and making a co-pay American-style healthcare system? I'm sorry I thought we had universal healthcare in Canada. We have a marijuana referendum why are we not going to be setting that up under the provincial coffer and that would definitely pay for healthcare. Not for their tax 3% on Manitobans and believe me Barrie if he would be exempt if we follow the Alberta model of under $20,000 a year. This government wants to give up our beloved healthcare and then increases costs for it. They did it in the 90s and they're doing it again

when the PalliPals were crying that the sky was falling when the Dippers raised the PST by one percentage point ? They whined about the province becoming unaffordable for residents.  
 
Now they are proposing a fee that may be as much as $900 per year. Thinking back to the 1% increase in PST, a family would have to buy $90,000 in taxable goods in a year to reach the equivalent $900. How many families purchase that much in taxable goods ?  
 
Ironically, a PST increase would be one of the fairest ways to provide the revenue for health.

PoliticallyIncorrect said "Why is the person who has to step in and fix problems created by the previous people in charge always the bad guy? "

because (we) want everything we have & then some more but don't want it to cost (us) anything IMHO.  
Bottom line is that the Province can't continue to spend money that it doesn't have.