TORONTO – Canadians fear that the looming deficit will be paid off through spending cuts and tax increases on lower and middle-income households, with a majority believing these measures would have a negative impact on their lives. When asked what measures they would prefer, Canadians overwhelmingly chose raising taxes on large corporations and the wealthy as well as closing tax loopholes.

A poll conducted by Abacus Research on behalf of the Broadbent Institute and Professional Institute for the Public Service of Canada surveyed 1,500 Canadians shows that 70% want to see the federal government build an economy and society that is more fair and equitable than it was before the pandemic.

“Canadians are coming into this election with clear eyes about the future they want,” said Katrina Miller, Program Director of the Broadbent Institute, “a federal government that invests in needed programs and services, paid for by those who can afford it most.”

A vast majority of Canadians want a post-pandemic recovery plan that doesn’t cut funding to key programs and services, implements a wealth tax, reduces out-of-pocket health costs and builds affordable housing. The sentiment holds across political party allegiances.

"A federal election will allow Canadians to choose exactly the type of post-pandemic recovery they want. They are looking for solutions that reduce inequality, protect public services and help with the affordability crisis," said Abacus Data CEO David Coletto. "There is very little appetite for cuts and broad support for tools that force the wealthiest to pay for the recovery."

REPORT: David Coletto, Abacus Data. To Reduce the Deficit, Canadians Want Increased Taxes on the Wealthy and Large Corporations.

RESEARCH: Abacus Data for the Broadbent Institute and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada. What Canadians Think About the Federal Deficit and the Post-pandemic Recovery.

Social progress is made in curious ways.

It’s probably not a huge surprise that when a government tries to make taxation fairer, richer Canadians – who’ve been benefitting from a torqued system -- scream bloody murder.

In his opening, Ed urged us to think of the best defense as being a good offense.

I want to tell you I was thinking about that advice a couple of weeks ago on federal budget day.

I lost a bet with my colleagues that day because I was certain that the government would close at least one egregious tax loophole.

Progressive tax reform to promote both greater distributional fairness and increased fiscal capacity to fund social programs and public services should be squarely on the agenda for the 2017 federal budget. Indeed, with faltering growth, the federal Liberals will be hard-pressed to meet their commitments to new investments,while still ensuring a promised decline in the federal debt to GDP ratio, if they do not significantly increase revenues.