Harper Government's Low-Tax Plan Benefits Canadian Families

Mississauga, Ontario, February 18, 2013... Today, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, joined by Brad Butt, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, announced that Canadian families receive substantial tax savings and increased child benefits as a result of the actions taken by the Harper Government since 2006.

“Our Government is committed to supporting hard-working Canadian families by keeping taxes low,” said Minister Shea. “We understand that reducing their taxes allows them to keep more of their hard-earned money and meet the financial challenges of raising a family.”

As a direct result of the Harper Government’s strong record of providing tax relief to Canadians, the average family of four now receives more than $3,100 in extra tax savings, including $960 from the two‑percentage‑point reduction in the goods and services tax (GST).

“With tax-filing season already started, our Government wants to make sure Canadian families take advantage of all the tax credits they are eligible for and keep their hard-earned dollars,” said MP Butt. “Families across Canada can count on our commitment to support measures that will help reduce the cost of everyday living.”

Minister Shea and MP Butt joined many hard-working Canadian families at the Vianney Academy of Learning’s second annual Family Day Skate, where they took the opportunity to highlight the many tax‑saving measures that are available to Canadian families and to encourage all Canadians to claim the tax credits they are entitled to when filing their taxes this year.

In addition to the tax credits introduced, the Harper Government has reduced the GST rate by two percentage points, increased the amount of income that all Canadians can earn before paying federal income tax, and reduced the lowest personal income tax rate to 15% from 16%.

For more information on these and other credits, go to www.cra.gc.ca/taxsavings. For step-by-step help with filing a return, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.

Related documents:

• Tax credits, deductions and savings available for Canadians in 2012
• Calculation of total tax relief in 2012 for a two-income couple with two children

Canada Revenue Agency

This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.