Thread by @paulgknox

Mona Fortier on @TheCurrentCBC tells @lauralynchcbc the middle class is families who are able to do what they want as activities, such as having children enrolled in hockey programs. The Minister for Middle Class Prosperity struggles to define the middle class. #cdnpoli

No surprise there. It’s the most arbitrary category in public policy.

Everyone who has a job or a family will tell you they’re middle-class. The median household income may be ~$70,000, but self-identifying MC Canadian households will range from $40,000 to $500,000. #cdnpoli

Income-tax relief as short-term economic policy usually amounts to less than $500 per person. Anything’s welcome. But even if income-tested and capped, that amount will compensate for increases in non-discretionary expenses, at best.

It’s unlikely to create more prosperity.

Permanent universal mechanisms are much more likely than ephemeral tax cuts to generate prosperity year after year for the poor, wage workers, tradespeople, salaried professionals, contract workers and those running small or medium-sized businesses.

These prosperity mechanisms include:

- expansion of universal health care to include not only prescription drugs but also physical therapy and other paramedical treatment.

- affordability in post-secondary education

- 100% inter-provincial labour mobility

- affordability of housing, with an emphasis on rental.

- child care on the Quebec model so it’s easier for single and low-income parents to work, earn and save

- transportation affordability so Canadians can move more easily around their cities, provinces and country.

Watch for movement on these fronts to see whether medium- and long-term prosperity for the 95% is really on the national political agenda.

#cdnpoli #cdnmedia #cdnpse #cdnecon

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