From Avi Lewis:
'More than 50 years ago, my grandfather and NDP Leader David Lewis coined the term 'corporate welfare bums' to turn a common right-wing talking point on its head.
The real "freeloaders," he reminded us, aren't the poor or vulnerable – they're the big corporations at the top, hoarding wealth and power with the eager help of their friends in government.
These days, we've gone from corporate welfare to straight-up corporate kleptocracy. The current Liberal government is giving away billions of dollars to profitable corporate giants through subsidies and tax breaks with few strings attached.
If David were still alive, he'd say we're overdue for a reckoning. We've got to pry apart the hands of government and big business – and get them out of our pockets.
Today, I'm proud to announce our 'Tax Plan for the 99%' – a bold plan to tax the ultra-rich, end corporate handouts, break up monopolies, and improve our social safety net.
A super-majority of Canadians back the idea of tax fairness. Nearly 90% support a wealth tax, and 80% believe that the rich should be taxed more.
Big popular solutions like this are how we excite people across the political spectrum, fight inequality – and win.
Our 'Tax Plan for the 99%' will:
Tax the ultra-rich – Implement a wealth tax on the top 1%, starting at 1% and rising to 3% on the largest fortunes, to generate as much as $40 billion a year. Create a new tax bracket for the top income earners. Treat capital gains the same as employment income. Tax wealth inheritance over $5 million.
End corporate handouts and break up monopolies – End all fossil fuel subsidies. Keep costly consultants out of the public service. No more blank cheques for corporations that take our money and move production out of Canada.
Crack down on the corporate hoarding class – Tax excess corporate profits. Crack down on tax havens. Adequately fund the CRA to go after tax cheats. Reinstate the Digital Services Tax.
Raise the floor for all of us – End poverty within five years through major increases to income supports for people with disabilities, seniors, families with children, and low-income adults. Establish a national framework for a guaranteed liveable basic income.
The fountains of wealth that are being generated in this country are not trickling down to working people. It's all stuck at the top.
We need political leaders with the courage and the will to finally go after that wealth, and to redistribute it to improve life for everyone.
Join us to build a government for the many, not the money.'
Read the full plan here: https://lewisforleader.ca/ideas/tax-policy