Carney’s answer to corporate tax dodging? Government should “spend less”

For the third time in this election, Liberal Leader Mark Carney had a chance to condemn the use of tax havens.

Not only did he refuse to say he’ll crack down – he promised to make spending cuts instead.

Abigail Bimman, CTV:On tax havens in relation to Brookfield, you have said that you “know how the world works.” Should Canadians infer from that that you wouldn't condemn use of tax havens?

Mark Carney: What’s important is that we have an effective tax system, and that companies - every company - follows the rules of those tax – to uh, to not just the letter but the spirit of those regulations. And we need to continue to refine our tax system to ensure that companies are paying their fair share of tax. And my government will also ensure that the federal government is spending only those dollars that are necessary. So, one of the core elements of our strategy is to spend less as a federal government so that Canada can invest more. (Video)

In his time at Brookfield Asset Management, Carney helped the company avoid $5.3 billion in taxes.

NDP Candidate Niki Ashton:

“You can't make this up - Mark Carney just had another chance to say he'll crack down on tax havens. He refused (again) and just said government should ‘spend less.’ He'll let Brookfield off the hook and pay for it with cuts to healthcare.”