As the April 28 B.C. federal election approaches, Black Press Media has given Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies an opportunity to respond to questions around policy and matters affecting voters.
Question 1: Several parties have announced tax cuts if elected. Please explain what is being proposed by your party, and how someone earning $40,000 or less would benefit compared to someone earning $130,000 or more annually.
Mel Arnold, Conservative Party of Canada
A Conservative government will cut income taxes for average Canadians by 15%, saving families up to $1,800/year, or $900 for the average worker earning $40,000, and cut 4.15% or less for someone earning $130,000 or more.
This income tax cut is part of the broader Conservative Bring It Home Tax Cut on work, investment, energy and home building that will create jobs for Canadians and help build Canada’s economic fortress against American threats.
Seniors and trades workers can also count on tax relief. A Conservative government will allow seniors to claim an additional $10,000 of earnings tax free with a new maximum of $34,000 annually while travelling trades workers will be able to claim the full cost of food, transport and accommodation required to go from one job to another.
While the Liberals have temporarily suspended a portion of the federal carbon tax to trick Canadians into thinking tax relief has been delivered, they actually plan to re-implement it at the industrial level to compound the tax and make consumers pay more. A new Conservative government will legislate an end to the entire carbon tax law, including the federal backstop that requires provinces to impose an industrial carbon tax.
Michael Henry, People's Party of Canada
The People’s Party of Canada believes that all Canadians deserve to keep more of what they earn-regardless of income level. Our tax plan simplifies the system and ensures fairness across the board.
We propose replacing the current multi-tier tax system with just two income tax rates:
• 15% on income up to $100,000;
• 25% on income over $100,000.
For someone earning $40,000, this means a lower tax rate and less tax complexity. They’ll pay fewer dollars in tax than they do now and face fewer deductions and bureaucratic hoops. Someone earning $130,000 will pay 15% on the first $100,000 and 25% on the rest. They’ll still pay more in total, but they’ll keep more of their hard-earned money compared to the current system, which punishes success.
Unlike other parties, we also propose eliminating the capital gains tax, encouraging investment and entrepreneurship.
Our plan is simple, fair, and helps working Canadians at every level-without growing government or hiding tax hikes elsewhere.
Phaedra Idzan, New Democratic Party
Our plan puts money directly into the pockets of working and middle-class Canadians. For someone earning $40,000 or less:
• No federal income tax if you earn $19,500 or less;
• Save $505/year if you earn between $19,500 and $177,882 (phasing out above $177,882);
• GST removed on essentials like groceries, diapers, heating, and cell/internet bills, saving families ~$448/year;
• For someone earning $130,000+;
• Same $505/year tax cut applies to incomes up to $177,882, but no benefit for earnings above $235,632;
• Reverse capital gains tax cuts for the ultra-rich (top 0.13%); ensuring millionaires pay their fair share.
Owen Madden, Green Party of Canada
I believe tax policy should put people first, not just benefit the wealthiest. The Green Party isn’t focused on flashy tax cuts that primarily help high earners – we want to make life more affordable for everyday people.
For someone earning $40,000 or less, we would eliminate the GST on essential goods and ensure income supports – like a Guaranteed Livable Income – so no one falls through the cracks. Our priority is to make housing, food, and healthcare more accessible, rather than offering tax breaks that mainly benefit those who don’t need them.
For those earning $130,000 or more, we believe in a fair tax system where the wealthiest contribute their share. That means closing corporate tax loopholes, ensuring multinational companies pay fair taxes, and reinvesting in public services that benefit everyone – like affordable childcare, better transit, and healthcare access.
This isn’t about short-term tax cuts; it’s about creating a system where people at all income levels can thrive.
Ken Robertson, Liberal Party of Canada
We will make life cost less for the middle class by cutting the marginal tax rate on the lowest tax bracket by one percentage point. This tax cut will save two-income families up to $825 a year.
Under Mark Carney, the government has already cancelled the “carbon tax,” and we are now saving an average 18 cents/litre on the price of gas. Another way a Liberal government will make life more affordable for the middle class is eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on homes at or under $1 million. This will save Canadians up to $50,000 on the purchase of their first home.
As well, we are expanding dental coverage to Canadians aged 18-64 to provide access to around 4.5 million Canadians.
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Question 2: Farmers are having difficulty accessing affordable inputs that are largely produced in the U.S., like fertilizer, and are fearful they will be unable to sell products south of the border at a profitable price. If elected, how would you advocate for farmers in our region who are being impacted by both sides of the trade war?
Mel Arnold, Conservative Party of Canada
Advocating for farmers starts with listening to farmers and I appreciate the strong relationships I have built with local agricultural producers since being first elected in 2015. Farmers have told me that increasing transportation expenses, overreaching regulatory burdens, and higher interest rates caused by the Liberals inflationary spending have made it difficult for farmers to survive.
Canada’s trade with U.S. markets and supply chains has been destabilized, and we must expand domestic trade. Canada’s provincial and federal governments need to finally take down interprovincial trade barriers and allow Canadians to buy Canadian products.
However, even when we maximize local and domestic purchases there are goods that we must import through international trade with partners where Canada has opportunities to grow. From 2006 to 2015, the Conservative government concluded free trade agreements with 38 countries and market access such as these hold opportunities for Canadian producers to diversify trade and reduce dependence on the U.S.
I will continue to connect with farmers, fight for free trade across Canada, and advocate for diversification of Canada’s international trade. A new Conservative government will put Canada First and take back control of our economy from the Americans for a change.
Michael Henry, People's Party of Canada
Farmers are the backbone of our economy and food security, but they’ve been crushed by unfair regulations, globalist trade deals and input costs driven up by foreign control. The People’s Party of Canada believes in putting Canadian producers first.
If elected, I would advocate for removing federal carbon taxes on fuel, fertilizer and transportation-an immediate way to reduce input costs and restore margin for farmers. We’d also reduce inter-provincial trade barriers so farmers can sell more easily across Canada, not just rely on U.S. markets.
On trade, we would renegotiate unfair trade agreements that harm Canadian agriculture. Our farmers should never be collateral damage in global political games. We’ll stand up to the U.S. when needed, but we’ll also defend open, bilateral trade that respects Canadian sovereignty and ensures reciprocity-if they block us, we respond in kind.
Finally, we’ll cut red tape and foreign influence in our food supply policies, and return to a system that puts Canadian food, grown by Canadians first.
Phaedra Idzan, New Democratic Party
According to the Globe and Mail, most Canadian agricultural exports will not be tariffed by the US. Nevertheless, in these economically uncertain times, we’ll fight to protect farmers by:
• Using retaliatory tariff revenue to directly support affected workers and farmers, not tax cuts for the wealthy;
• Investing in domestic input production to reduce reliance on U.S. imports like fertilizer; and
• Prioritizing fair trade agreements that protect Canadian farmers’ access to U.S. markets while shielding them from unfair pricing.
Owen Madden, Green Party of Canada
As a farmer, I know firsthand how trade disputes and rising costs hurt our agricultural communities. Our farmers work hard to feed us, and they deserve better than being caught in the middle of political trade wars.
If elected, I will push for direct financial relief to help farmers afford essential inputs like fertilizer while expanding programs that support regenerative agriculture—so we’re not as dependent on foreign suppliers. Investing in local food infrastructure will also give farmers more options to sell their products within Canada, protecting them from global instability.
I will fight for fairer trade policies that prioritize our farmers rather than leaving them vulnerable to international disputes. And I’ll push for better access to low-interest loans and grants that help farmers adapt and succeed in an unpredictable market.
Agriculture should be about food security and sustainability, not political games. I will stand up for our farmers to ensure they have the stability and support they need to keep producing food for our communities.
Ken Robertson, Liberal Party of Canada
A Mark Carney-led government will protect Canada’s commitment to supply management and supply-managed sectors such as dairy, poultry, and eggs.
We will permanently double revenue protection for farmers under the AgriStability Program, from $3 million to $6 million per farm, in the case of significant revenue drops caused by the impacts of tariffs, extreme weather events, and other external shocks.
We will build more domestic processing capacity, including food processing capacity in rural and remote areas, with a new $200 million Domestic Food Processing Fund.
A Liberal government will increase support for farmers, ranchers, and producers to access new markets for their food products with an additional $30 million in the AgriMarketing Program. As well, we will increase help for farmers and ranchers to buy new, more efficient farm equipment with a $30 million top up to the Agriculture Clean Technology Program.
We will also double the loan guarantee limit, from $500,000 to $1 million, of the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act program and expand terms by 5-10 years.
