Little for most Canadians in federal budget

Pierre Trudeau once stated, “The essential ingredient of politics is timing.”

Just before any election some of our tax money becomes available to be returned to us in the form of so-called tax relief. The long-term consequences of service cutbacks and an increased national debt are not mentioned.

A March 30 Globe and Mail article states that according to BMO Nesbitt Burns, about 75 per cent of this so-called tax relief will be taken back by the provinces.

Some money that could give us tax relief is squandered on self-promoting government ads, bungled military purchases, and the cost of corruption.

An Oct. 31, 2013 Fraser Institute report states mismanagement and waste by all federal governments over the past 25 years has cost Canadian taxpayers $158 to $197 billion.

The cost of incompetence, corruption and partisanship is far greater than any so-called tax relief just before an election. GRAEME GARDINER Sidney

Re: Canadians with higher incomes the big winners with this budget, economists say, April 21

After years of making the middle class pay for the financial mistakes of others, most of us were hoping for some fairness in this year’s budget. Instead we see the wealthy get more, while the rest of us gnaw on a few crumbs of federal largesse.

Income splitting, the near doubling of annual contributions to tax-free savings accounts, and other changes benefit the wealthiest 15 per cent.

The Conservatives have shown which side they are on and it’s not average people who work for a living. LORENE OIKAWA Surrey