Thursday February 9, 2012
A new tax credit beginning with your 2011 Canadian income taxes is the Children's Arts Tax Credit. It is basically a companion tax credit to the Children's Fitness Tax Credit which began in 2007.
Parents can claim a non-refundable income tax credit of $500 for registration and membership fees for each child under 16 (under 18 if the child is disabled) enrolled in an eligible program. Don't let the use of the workd "arts" mislead you here. If covers a lot more than just art or music programs.
Read More...Tuesday January 31, 2012
As the Conservative government moved to push through its legislation on new Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs), the Prime Minister certainly had a lot of people talking about pension plans, even if not much about PRPPs. What really got folks stirred up were comments Mr. Harper made last week in a speech in Davos, Switzerland of all places, where he pointed out that "major transformations" would have to be made to Canada's retirement income system.
He wasn't clear then, and he hasn't been much more clear since about just what changes he has in mind. With a budget coming up in late February or March, it isn't just idle speculation either. Many Canadians are concerned enough about how they are going to afford retirement, since most don't have an MP pension to fall back on. MP pensions are a big issue right now too, with both the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the C.D. Howe Institute publishing reports about how much MP pensions are costing Canadian taxpayers. It's a good thing the issue of pensions is out in the open though. For a rundown of just what's at stake with government pensions in Canada, see Reforming Canada's Pension System.
Photo: Pool / Getty Images
More on Canadian Government Pensions
RRSPs - the Great Canadian Tax Break
Canadian Government Pensions
Tuesday January 31, 2012
There always seem to be enough MPs, but by the time the next federal election rolls around in 1915 Canadians will be electing more. The
Fair Representation Act passed in December is
increasing seats in the Canadian House of Commons by 30, bringing the total from 308 to 338. It's an attempt the federal government undergoes after every decennial (10-year) census to readjust the representation of provinces in the House of Commons to the percentage of their population in Canada. It's not an exact science, and there is always some over-representation and under-representation but it is an effort to have Canadian elections based on the principle of representation by population.
Under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act independent Electoral Boundary Commissions are also being set up to adjust the boundaries of federal ridings. According to Elections Canada, in the last two federal redistribution processes about 90 percent of Canadian federal ridings had changes, some big, some small.
Photo: Entrance to the House of Commons
DC Productions / Getty Images
More on Canadian Federal Elections
Date of Next Election
Federal Ridings in Canada
Canadian Federal Elections
Photo: Entrance to the House of Commons
DC Productions / Getty Images
Thursday January 26, 2012
Just before Data Privacy Day on Saturday, January 28, 2012, Jennifer Stoddart, Canada's Privacy Commissioner has released a new package of teaching tools called "Protecting Your Online Rep" for Grade 7 to Grade 12 students, their parents and their teachers. The tools are designed to help young Internet users understand and identify the privacy risks associated with their online activities, and how to protect their personal information online.
The package includes a video which speaks to kids directly. It can be viewed online or downloaded and used in discussions about privacy issues with your kids. A tip sheet includes 12 tips for parents to help them advise their children on how to limit the risks to their personal information but still be able to enjoy their time online. There are also slides, speaking notes and discussion topics for educators and community leaders to use for speaking about online privacy.
The package is available at the youth site of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
More on Privacy in Canada
Privacy in Canada
Role of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
