Singh Challenges Trudeau on Super-Wealth Tax

This morning, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called out Justin Trudeau for rejecting a wealth tax on multimillionaires with fortunes over $20 million:

“We know that Mr. Trudeau is not willing to tax the richest Canadians. We put it to him, and people have asked him, would he be willing to put in place our wealth tax on the super wealthy? He hasn’t said yes.

“No other party is willing to say we’re going to make sure that the richest Canadians, those who have fortunes of over $20 million, pay their fair share. Everyone else, Canadians, hardworking families, middle-class families, they’re paying their fair share. They don’t need to pay any more of the burden.

“We’re not going to raise taxes on middle-class and working-class families. But we’re asking the richest to pay their fair share. Mr. Trudeau is not willing to do that.”

After Trudeau was dubbed “Robin Hood” in the last election, his 2019 platform lets the top 1% completely off the hook while offering nothing for Canadians struggling with rising costs like housing and prescription drugs.

Canada’s 87 richest families hold as much wealth as 12 million Canadians.

Singh has made implementing a super-wealth tax on fortunes over $20 million an urgent priority in the next Parliament. The PBO estimates it will raise $5.6 billion in its first year to spend on priorities like pharmacare and dental care.