
Originally Posted by
Dave
I suppose if you feel the Alberta 10% personal tax rate on 122,000 is too high you can move to a neighbouring province and pay:
- In Saskatchewan, 13% plus PST or
- In BC 14.7% plus PST
These are the provinces governed by supposedly more conservative taxpayer friendly governments. The myth of high taxes in Alberta compared to other provinces is just that - a total myth.
I really have to stop getting on C2E after dinner...
I'm afraid I don't think you get it Dave, decrease the available disposable income and you change the (what's left) of the economy and that comes right down to the minimum wage level.
My wife works retail in a National company, little over minimum wage but she enjoys it. This week they laid off 17% of their staff. Why? Their staffing is based on a percentage of gross sales. The rise in the minimum wage and the drop in sales means people lose their jobs.
Direct effect of government policy.
I frequent quite a number of autobody and auto repair businesses, all are laying people off right now. Why? People cannot afford to repair their cars so mechanics lose their jobs.
Even in the autobody sector which should be rock'n in the middle of collision season is laying off at the shops I go into. Why? The crap economy has caused the value of late model vehicles to drop significantly, which means most are being written off so there is no work for the body repair folks. No work, no jobs.
Lower disposable income, no repaints, updates or custom work. No work, no jobs.
Direct effect of government policy.
That is just what I am seeing first hand and let me tell you it hurts to see guys I've know for years getting laid off.
Decrease the disposable income it changes the dynamic and trickles all the way down.
Now combine that with the increases the cost of doing business (minimum wage increase, carbon tax and others noted like the education property tax increase) and businesses that have struggled not to lay off experienced long term staff now have no choice in order to try and hang on.
Moa is also right that it extends into many other industries right down to coffee shops.
Cut off the head (those that had significant disposable income) and kill the Golden Goose.
IMO
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