CHRONICLE HERALD: Provincial Liberals welcome small-business tax cuts
"NDP MLA and business critic Claudia Chender said it makes sense that the federal government is offering up a tax cut in response to the negative reaction it received on the changes, especially after such little consultation. She also said backing away from the lifetime capital gains exemption makes sense considering the unintended consequences on family businesses. Chender said she’s heard from constituents who under the changes that were proposed initially would have been in a situation where it made more financial sense to sell a lobster business to a stranger than pass it on to a family member.
Chender added, however, that the federal government is targeting the wrong groups if it wants to improve tax fairness overall. Chender said the government ought to look at ending tax breaks for private-sector executives on their stock option benefits, for example.
'I think it’s relatively clear, even with these changes, that none of these tax changes that come under the guise of tax fairness seem to be having much of a dent on the top income earners and the loopholes they enjoy.'"