Tax credit and Duffy questions for Harper in Rockland
Service-club members would benefit by 15% to 29%, based upon donations
Stephen Harper announced tax relief for service-club members at a campaign stop in Clarence-Rockland on Sunday, an appearance that saw the Conservative leader affirm his support for his embattled chief of staff, Ray Novak.
Harper made the promise to a crowd of Conservative supporters at the River Rock Inn that included Glengarry-Prescott-Russell incumbent Pierre Lemieux, and Royal Galipeau, who is seeking re-election in the newly redrawn riding of Orléans.
“Service club members identify needs in their communities, and then, instead of waiting for government, they take action to meet those needs,” said Harper. “They launch programs that support our children. I myself was a member of the Leaside Lions Hockey team. They care for the homeless and less fortunate.”
The new measure, which would have a 15 to 29 per cent value depending on the individuals’ overall donation, would fall under the annual Charitable Donations Tax Credit, and apply to groups such as the Royal Canadian Legion, Knights of Columbus, Rotary clubs, Kiwanis and Optimists.
The calm crowd became irritated, however, when reporters’ questions turned to the Mike Duffy trial.
Harper was asked whether Novak — who was in the room — knew about the deal that involved former PMO staffer Nigel Wright paying for Duffy’s Senate expense claims, and whether Novak told him.
Harper reiterated what he had been telling the press since his campaign began, that he “would not comment on testimony before the courts.” He added that “Mr. Novak has been very clear with me.
“The fact of the matter is this, in my view there are two people responsible — Mr. Duffy who is the only one on trial,” said Harper. “He took money. In my judgment he should not have taken it, he should have paid it back. He did not do that, instead Mr. Wright did that for him, $90,000 to pay back the taxpayers. But he did so without my knowledge and without my agreement. These were his actions, he was the boss and he was fully responsible for it.”
He then changed tack, and zeroed in on the precarious global economy with falling oil prices and the turmoil in Chinese markets. He suggested the economic instability in Europe is part of the global problem that affects Canada, but does not stem from Canada.
“What does this mean for Canada? It mean what we have been saying all along, that we are in a global economy that remains extremely challenged and very risky and unstable,” Harper told the crowd. “None of these problems originate in this country. Canadians understand that.”