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House Hansard - 250

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 9, 2023 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 250 - Nov/9/23
Mr. Taylor Bachrach (Skeena—Bulkley Valley, NDP)
  • Nov/9/23 2:14:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the living wage reflects what people need to earn to afford the basic necessities of life. In the village of Daajing Giids on Haida Gwaii, working parents need to each earn $26.25 per hour to afford those necessities. That is the second highest of any B.C. community, and we know many families are struggling to make ends meet. Why is life is so expensive on Haida Gwaii? It is so remote, and the main access is a seven-hour ferry ride to the mainland, and that is seven hours in good weather. The northern residents tax deduction was designed to help residents of remote communities with affordability. For over a decade, Haida Gwaii residents have been asking the federal government to provide them with the full deduction. It is a simple change to the Income Tax Act, yet it is one that would make such a big difference for families on Haida Gwaii. I urge the minister and the parliamentary secretary for finance to make this change at the soonest opportunity.
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