The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is questioning the Alberta government’s decision to provide wage top-ups for essential businesses’ employees amid lockdowns that have devastated local small and medium-sized enterprises..The wage top-ups are expected to cost taxpayers $465 million, including $118 million in funding from the Alberta government. The rest is federal money. Up to $170 million is eligible for private-sector employees..Essential workers in the health-care, social services, education and private sectors who deliver critical services to Albertans or support food and medical supply chains are eligible for the benefit..“We’re thankful for the hard work and important services these Albertans are providing, but businesses should be paying the wage top-ups, not struggling taxpayers,” said Franco Terrazzano, the CTF’s Alberta Director..About 380,000 Alberta public and private sector workers, including 36,000 in education, will receive $1,200.00 each as part of the Critical Worker Benefit. The benefit applies to those who worked a minimum of 300 hours from October 12, 2020, to January 31, 2021..Rather than increasing spending to provide support to select businesses, the CTF calls for tax relief that supports all struggling businesses..“Many of these businesses have been able to stay open throughout much of the pandemic, and struggling Albertans shouldn’t be forced to pay higher taxes to cover this payout,” said Terrazzano..Premier Jason Kenney praised frontline workers for their continued sacrifice and hard work during the Wednesday announcement..The wage top-ups recognize their good work, said the premier, which trusts this support will help them continue to protect lives and livelihoods during the pandemic..“It’s one thing to help struggling restaurants and gyms keep their lights on through government-imposed lockdowns, but this announcement is covering the costs of many businesses who have been able to stay open,” said Terrazzano..“The Alberta government was on the right track to help job creators by lowering the business tax rate, and it should expand that help by cutting the small business tax,” he said..The Critical Workers Benefit breakdown includes:.$195 million in the health-care sector, supporting more than 161,000 workers.Up to $55 million toward the social services sector, supporting more than 45,000 workers.Up to $45 million toward the education sector, supporting more than 36,000 workers.Up to $170 million toward the private sector, supporting more than 140,000 workers..Dhaliwal is the Western Standard’s Edmonton based correspondent
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is questioning the Alberta government’s decision to provide wage top-ups for essential businesses’ employees amid lockdowns that have devastated local small and medium-sized enterprises..The wage top-ups are expected to cost taxpayers $465 million, including $118 million in funding from the Alberta government. The rest is federal money. Up to $170 million is eligible for private-sector employees..Essential workers in the health-care, social services, education and private sectors who deliver critical services to Albertans or support food and medical supply chains are eligible for the benefit..“We’re thankful for the hard work and important services these Albertans are providing, but businesses should be paying the wage top-ups, not struggling taxpayers,” said Franco Terrazzano, the CTF’s Alberta Director..About 380,000 Alberta public and private sector workers, including 36,000 in education, will receive $1,200.00 each as part of the Critical Worker Benefit. The benefit applies to those who worked a minimum of 300 hours from October 12, 2020, to January 31, 2021..Rather than increasing spending to provide support to select businesses, the CTF calls for tax relief that supports all struggling businesses..“Many of these businesses have been able to stay open throughout much of the pandemic, and struggling Albertans shouldn’t be forced to pay higher taxes to cover this payout,” said Terrazzano..Premier Jason Kenney praised frontline workers for their continued sacrifice and hard work during the Wednesday announcement..The wage top-ups recognize their good work, said the premier, which trusts this support will help them continue to protect lives and livelihoods during the pandemic..“It’s one thing to help struggling restaurants and gyms keep their lights on through government-imposed lockdowns, but this announcement is covering the costs of many businesses who have been able to stay open,” said Terrazzano..“The Alberta government was on the right track to help job creators by lowering the business tax rate, and it should expand that help by cutting the small business tax,” he said..The Critical Workers Benefit breakdown includes:.$195 million in the health-care sector, supporting more than 161,000 workers.Up to $55 million toward the social services sector, supporting more than 45,000 workers.Up to $45 million toward the education sector, supporting more than 36,000 workers.Up to $170 million toward the private sector, supporting more than 140,000 workers..Dhaliwal is the Western Standard’s Edmonton based correspondent
