Income Trusters in Toronto area, here is your chance to meet Dion.

The Liberal Party developed an Income Trust Policy in an effort to counter the damage done by Harper's Conservatives.

Here is your chance to ask Stephane Dion your questions about the plan to make Income Trusts a viable option for Canadian Investors again.

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Garth Turner hosts Dion at major public forum

Citizens will be asked for views on economy, environment

Federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion is coming August 20th, to meet the people. Hosted by MP Garth Turner, Dion will be centre stage at an important Town hall meeting in which citizens can ask him about the big issues facing southern Ontario, and Canada.

"Now that Stephen Harper has threatened an election in a few months," Turner says, "it's key that people know where our leaders stand. Stephane Dion is the only one making this effort to get out and ask us all what kind of Canada we want, and how best to cope with the problems which need urgent solutions. I'm encouraging everyone – Liberal supporters or critics – to come and make up their own minds."

Turner cites recent job losses in the manufacturing sector as a priority, along with rising energy costs, falling real estate values and mounting family financial stress. He also says Dion will be outlining his Green Shift proposal, which would see personal income taxes slashed, and taxes imposed instead on polluters responsible in part for climate change.

"Dion has won the admiration of people across the country for meeting real voters face-to-face," Turner says. "He's not afraid of the tough questions we should all be asking of our politicians, now that the economy's turned sour and the federal government seems to be drifting. This is a chance for everyone in the region to get out and make their voices heard, so policy in Ottawa can better mirror public wishes."

The Town Hall meeting takes place Wednesday, August 20th at 7:30 pm.

Location: SVCC Hall (St. Volodymyr). 1280 Dundas Street, Oakville (between Trafalgar Rd. and Bronte Rd.).

Admission is free, and seating is on a first come-first served basis.

Seats may be reserved by calling (905) 693-0166, or emailing mp@garth.ca.

For more information:
Esther Shaye (905) 693-0166

MEDIA NOTE: Media availability with Stephane Dion will be provided. Details to follow.

Liberal Finance Committtee members calls on the Auditor General to investigate the tax leakage claims

“I think that this government’s stonewalling has gone on long enough and it’s time that Canadians got to see that the Government simply made up its story that income trusts cause federal tax leakage,” Liberal Finance Critic John McCallum February 29, 2008

The Harper government have offered no credible explanation to Canadians on questions surrounding Income Trusts and alleged tax leakage.

• Canadians are given 18 heavily censured pages instead of the transparency and accountability the Conservatives promised.

• Finance Committee members are given no information by which to verify the Conservative claims.

That is why it is important the Auditor General investigates the questions on alleged tax leakage the Conservatives refuse to answer.

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Full text of Liberal's letter to Auditor General

Sheila Fraser, FCA
Auditor General of Canada
240 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G6

February 29, 2008

Dear Ms. Fraser,

We are writing to you today to urge you to investigate the government’s allegation that the income trust sector was the cause of an annual tax revenue loss of $500 million to the federal treasury. As identified in the Auditor General Act, you are the “auditor of the accounts of Canada, including those relating to the Consolidated Revenue Fund,” and we feel that this matter is of great concern to the balance of that consolidated revenue fund.

As you indicate in one of your 2005 reports, “One of Parliament's most important roles is to hold the federal government to account for its use of taxpayer dollars. To fulfill its role as watchdog over the public purse, Parliament needs objective, accurate information on how well the government is managing public funds. The Office of the Auditor General is an independent, reliable source of such information.”

In terms of the government’s claim that income trusts cause tax leakage, both Parliament and Canadians need your help to provide them with objective, accurate information on how well the government is managing public funds.

We look forward to your response.

With best regards,

John McCallum
MP for Markham-Unionville

Garth Turner
MP for Halton

John McKay
MP for Scarborough-Guildwood

Massimo Pacetti
MP for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel

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Another Conservative non-answer









Related:
Liberal Finance Committee Members call on Auditor General to Examine Government’s Claims of Income Trust Tax Leakage

Plan to attend one of Garth Turner's Town Hall Meetings

Garth Turner wants to hear your views on Income Trusts and other issues important to you. Here is your chance to meet an MP who will listen to you.



Woodstock:

Sunday, February 17th, 2 to 4 pm
Quality Inn, Woodstock
Take 401 to exit 232


Oakville:

Tuesday, February 19th, 7:00 pm
Oakville Town Hall, Oakville Room
1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville

Milton:

Wednesday, February 20th, 7:00 pm
Milton Sports Centre, Meeting Room 4
605 Santa Maria Blvd., Milton


Burlington:

Thursday, February 21st, 7:00 pm
Burlington Library, Tansley Woods Branch
1996 Itabashi Way, Burlington

More information contact Esther Shaye at (905)693-0166

Garth Turner interviews John McCallum, Liberal Finance Critic on the Liberal 'Income Trusts' Plan.

An interview with Hon. John McCallum Liberal Finance Critic. Hon. Garth Turner and Mr. McCallum discuss the impact of Income Trusts, and the Conservative Government's Mini Budget. Source: MPtv - October 31st Webcast



Related:
Finance Committee Report on Income Trusts
Conservative Government's Decision on Income Trusts Wrong: Standing Committee on Finance

Garth Turner speaks on Income Trusts, tax and interest rate pressures on Canadian families in the House of Commons - October 25/07

Meet Ralph Goodale and Garth Turner

Meet Hon. Ralph Goodale, P.C., MP for Wascana on Thursday evening, November 22nd, 2007 during a fundraising cocktail party at the home of our Member of Parliament, Garth Turner.

As Opposition House Leader, former Finance Minister and lifelong Liberal, Mr. Goodale is the kind of politician Canadians want to meet. This rare opportunity to host Ralph right here in our own riding is an honour indeed and will give us the chance to build that all important warchest.

Tickets will sell for $50.00 each. This will translate to an approximate tax credit of $37.50 meaning the actual cost to you will be $12.50. We have chosen to keep both our ticket sales and overhead low, so we can give as many folks as possible the chance to have an evening with Ralph and Garth.

Don’t miss this opportunity to spend some time chatting with two of Canada’s most dynamic parliamentarians.

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007 at 7:00 PM

263 Boland Crescent,
Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0

$50.00 – credit card or cheques
To purchase tickets or for more information contact:

haltonfund@gmail.com or call - 905-48-GARTH

Garth Turner returns to Ontario and invites you to a Town Hall Meeting in Owen Sound

Garth Turner to host Owen Sound Town Hall meeting

MP wants voter input on federal issues – Income trusts, economy, real estate, Afghanistan, the environment

Voters, taxpayers and constituents in the Owen Sound region will get a rare chance on Thursday September27th to send a message directly to Parliament when outspoken MP Garth Turner hosts a public Town Hall meeting locally. While residents are free to raise any topic they wish, the Conservative government’s decisions to tax income trusts, and raise personal income tax – breaking specific promises by Prime Minister Stephen Harper – are likely to spark a hot debate.

The income trust move is believed to have cost more than two million investors, most of them seniors, more than $20 billion in lost retirement savings. That is the greatest private loss ever to result directly from one government action, and came as a shock to voters after Mr. Harper promised repeatedly in the last election campaign that he would never impose such a tax.

Turner says many homeowners and investors are also concerned abut the real estate meltdown in the United States, and the potential for that to affect people here. He will address those concerns in a presentation, “What every Homeowner and Investors must know.”

MP Turner, ousted by Stephen Harper last fall for his opposition to several Conservative positions, has been a champion of jilted investors, and will bring an action plan to the meeting for those anxious to know what their alternatives are. Turner joined the federal Liberal caucus in February, after sitting as an Independent member of Parliament for four months, for the west GTA riding of Halton.

“I have heard from many people in Ottawa, and across the country, very unhappy that their Conservative MPs, like Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound’s Larry Miller, have refused to call such a meeting,” Turner says. “They seem only too happy to hide in Ottawa these days where Mr. Harper has rewarded severely muzzled his caucus and taken actions which seriously call into question his stated goal of having an open and accountable government.”

Turner says Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Harper need to explain to Ottawa residents not only why income trusts were taxed, but also why so many Canadian companies have been purchased as a result recently by foreign firms. Garth Turner, a noted personal finance author before going to Parliament, says he is also concerned by the government’s move to raise income tax and bring in an inflationary budget with record spending which has increased loan and mortgage rates later this year. He said that is endangering the economy, as the United States falls into recession.

Attendance at the Owen Sound meeting is free, and all are welcome to attend.

BRUCE GREY SIMCOE

Owen Sound, Ontario

Thursday, September 27th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Owen Sound Legion – 1450 2nd Avenue West

A social ‘meet-&-greet’ event will precede the meeting, in the same location.

For more information contact:
Esther Shaye
(905) 693-0166
esther@garth.ca

Western Town Halls - Garth Turner's 'Lost Tory Tour'

Courtesy of: The Turner Report

More than a dozen public Town Hall meetings in ten Western Canadian cities have been called to let voters speak, and to hear MP Garth Turner. The meetings form the central part of "The Lost Tory Tour" Turner is on during the first two weeks of September, and will take place in Winnipeg, LaBroquerie, Regina, Kelowna, Vancouver, Surrey, Abbotsford, Victoria, Duncan, Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Edmonton.

All of the events have been organized by local residents, and will take place at no cost to taxpayers. Garth Turner is scheduled to speak on the topic of "What every investor and homeowner should know," and will deal with the current economic and financial reality faced by Canadian families.

Town Halls will take place in some locations where voters have had little, if any, opportunity to interact directly with an MP. "Given some of the recent decisions of the federal government," Turner says, "such as raising income tax, reversing course on income trusts, vastly increasing government spending or letting mortgage rates rise, it's only responsible to let folks speak directly to a member of the House of Commons."

Turner, elected as a Conservative in January of 2006, was expelled from the Stephen Harper caucus last October. After sitting as an independent MP for four months, he joined the federal Liberal caucus in February, 2007. Turner has been described as a lifelong Conservative, having been twice elected as an MP, and having served as a cabinet minister and run for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party of Canada. In addition, he's been a best-selling personal finance author, broadcaster, columnist and lecturer.

"The fact these meetings are even taking place is significant," Turner says. "I would not be on this trip if I'd not been invited by people living in these communities. By and large, they have responded to my digital democracy initiative, and asked me through my blog to come and meet them, and their neighbours, in person. It is a great honour to do so

"It's also interesting to note a tour like this would never take place," Turner said, "were I still a member of Mr. Harper's caucus. Stephane Dion believes, as I do, that an MP's place is among the people, not being cloistered and controlled in Ottawa."

Schedule of confirmed Town Hall meetings, September 4-13, 2007.

For more information contact:
Esther Shaye
(905) 693-0166
esther@garth.ca

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LaBroquerie, Manitoba, Sept 4 at 3 pm

LaBroquerie Hotel

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Winnipeg, Sept 4 at 7 pm

Crescent Wood Centre
1170 Corydon Ave.

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Regina, Sept 5 at 7 pm

Travel Lodge
4177 Albert Street

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Duncan, Sept 6 at 5 pm

Warmland Café
The corner of Station and Craig St.

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Victoria, Sept 6 at 7 pm

Monterey Centre
1442 Monterey Ave.

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Surrey, Sept. 7 at 7:30 pm

Strawberry Hill Hall,
12152, 75 Avenue

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Vancouver, Sept 8 at 10 am

Holiday Inn
700 Old Lillooet Rd.

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Abbotsford, Sept 9 at 2 pm

Matsqui Auditorium
32315 South Fraser Way

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Kelowna, Sept 10 at 2 pm

Holiday Park Resort
415 Commonwealth Rd.

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Kelowna, Sept 10 at 7 pm

Mission Activity Centre
4398 Hobson Rd.

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Edmonton, Sept 11 at 2 pm

Stanley Milner Library
7 Sir W. Churchill SW

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Edmonton, Sept 11 at 7 pm

Old Timer’s Cabin
9430 Scona Rd.

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Red Deer, Sept 12 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Dino’s Family Restaurant
4617 Gaetz Avenue

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Calgary, Sept 12 at 2:30 pm

Engineered Air Theatre
205 8th Ave.E.

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Calgary, Sept 12 at 7 pm

Ross Glen Hall, Mt. Royal Col.
4845 Mt. Royal Gate SW

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Lethbridge, Sept 13 at 7 pm

Royal Cdn Legion
324 Mayor Magrath Dr.S.


For more information contact:
Esther Shaye
(905) 693-0166
esther@garth.ca

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Lost Tory Tour BACKGROUNDER

Who is sponsoring this tour?

MP Turner is traveling to communities in response to local invitations, from local Liberal MPs, candidates, or readers of his blog. There is no sponsoring or umbrella group.

Is the Liberal Party behind this?

No, but the office of the party president and the leader have assisted with some details, such as coordinating local meeting notices.

How have events such as Town Halls been organized?

All events, including public meetings, stakeholder group meetings, speeches, mainstreeting and a motorcycle run, have been organized by local citizens and community groups.

Who is paying for this?

MP Turner and his wife Dorothy are using flights allocated in his existing office budget. Local volunteers are providing ground transportation. Most hotel rooms have been donated. Other costs will be paid personally by Turner. The goal is zero public cost.

Is the income trust lobby group CAITI involved?

It has no role in this tour, other than to inform its members of the time and location of public meetings.

Does MP Turner speak for leader Stephane Dion?

No. Turner presents his own independent point of view and his remarks have not been vetted by the leader or his office.

What qualifies Turner to make this tour?

He was invited to speak in each of the 12 communities.

What will he be speaking on?

‘What every investor and homeowner should know.’

This is a summary of the financial and economic track record of the Harper government, and its implications in our current volatile and uncertain environment.

Garth Turner Income Trust Town Hall Meetings coming up in August

Sunday August 19, 3 pm

Brookville
Nassagaweya Community Centre, Guelph Line

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Monday August 20, 7 pm

Burlington
Tansley Woods Library, Itabashi Way

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Tuesday August 21, 7 pm

Oakville
Oakville Civic Centre, Trafalgar Road

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Wednesday August 22, 7 pm

Political speech, Port Hope, Ontario

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Thursday August 23, 7 pm

Milton
Hugh Foster Hall, Brown Street

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Saturday August 25, 3 pm

Kilbride
Ella Foote Hall

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Garth Turner poses a question during Question Period June 20/07

Excerpt from The Turner Report:

When the House resumes, anything could happen. In the few months until then, many issues will smoke. Fire may follow. One I’ve been working on lately is income trusts, and I was happy – as the session ended – to get up in QP and pursue it. I received the usual response, which does nothing but fill me with resolve. This is a story which will not end as so many believed it would, just seventeen months ago.

Garth Turner to host Burlington public meeting

MP brings action to restore income trust losses

Voters, taxpayers and constituents of the Burlington federal riding will get a rare chance June 14th to send a message directly to Parliament when outspoken MP Garth Turner hosts a Town Hall meeting in Burlington. While residents are free to raise any topic they wish, the recent Conservative government decision to tax income trusts - breaking a specific promise by Prime Minister Stephen Harper - is likely to spark a hot debate.

The move is believed to have cost more than a million investors, most of them seniors, more than $25 billion in lost retirement savings. That is the greatest private loss ever to result directly from one government action, and came as a shock to voters after Mr. Harper promised repeatedly in the last election campaign that he would never impose such a tax.

MP Turner, ousted by Stephen Harper last fall for his opposition to several Conservative positions, has been a champion of jilted investors, and will bring an action plan to the meeting for those anxious to know what their alternatives are. Turner joined the federal Liberal caucus in February, after sitting as an Independent member of Parliament for four months, for the west GTA riding of Halton.

"I have heard from many people in Burlington very unhappy that their MP, Mike Wallace, has refused to call such a meeting," Turner says. "Mike seems only too happy to hide in Ottawa these days where Mr. Harper has rewarded him with a position on the finance committee. It's a shame how the trappings of power can make a good MP forget who sent him down there."

Turner says Mr. Wallace and Mr. Harper need to explain to area residents not only why income trusts were taxed, but also why so many Canadian companies have been purchased as a result recently by foreign firms. Garth Turner, a noted personal finance author before going to Parliament, says he is also concerned by the government's move to raise income tax and bring in an inflationary budget with record spending that could sell increase loan and mortgage rates later this year.

The Burlington meeting is being sponsored by the Canadian Association of Income Trust Investors, a non-partisan, national group representing the interests of individual citizens. It is open to everyone and is free of charge.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, June 14th, at the Burlington Seniors Centre, 2285 New Street. Start time is 7 pm. For more information, please contact Esther Shaye at (905) 693-0166.

Click for Map

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For a list of all town hall meetings planned click here

MPtv Interview with Hon. John McCallum Liberal Finance Critic - June 4/07

Related:

Is it over? - weblog.garth.ca

Garth Turner speaks on Income Trusts in the House of Commons - May 17/07

Garth Turner, MP for Halton, Ontario had the following introduction for this May 17 MPTv video:

Guzzler - Yesterday I was able to speak in the House about the unfairness of the Conservative Tax Fairness Plan - yes, the one that exludes 70% of seniors from income-splitting, taxes the bejesus out of income trust investors, and raises the basic tax rate for every single senior.

For some reason, the Tories go nuts when I rise in the Commons, heckling and shouting and trying to disrupt things. This time it was Dean del Mastro's turn, who took so great an exception to my statement that the actions of politicians have so turned people off it's no wonder we enjoy the same status as used car salesmen.

A member of the Finance Committee, and a full-time apologist for Jim Flaherty, Mr. del Mastro raised a point of order with the Speaker, which he ignored. However, Dean managed to get it on the public record that I had defamed car salesguys. Odd, I thought. But then I saw his car.

Turns out my colleague is a used car salesguy in Peterborough, Ontario. His taste in transportation may explain his progressive approach to the nation's finances. View this video of my short (my time was cut short by a special ministerial accountability session) but sweet speech.

Related:

Guzzler - weblog.garth.ca

Garth Turner Income Trust Press Conference Jan 29