Over the past year, I have heard from many constituents of Bow River concerned about rural crime.
I believe that this is a very serious matter. The crime affecting isolated rural homes and farms in our riding is not just a local phenomenon. As recently reported by CTV’s Laura Payton, the RCMP is facing a serious nation-wide staffing shortage, and it is limiting officers’ ability to respond to rural calls in a timely manner. If you have not done so already, I would urge you to read the article* – it is an eye-opening account, which demonstrates that the concerns of our riding’s rural residents are part of a larger problem taking place across Canada.
Having spoken with many of you that have been impacted by rural crime, as well as RCMP officials, I am convinced that action must be taken, and soon, to address this issue. In many cases, the RCMP is stretched too thin over vast rural areas, and need additional support to increase their efficacy in remote locations. I will continue to communicate with the relevant authorities to resolve this issue.
Another matter that may affect many residents of our region is the Liberals’ proposed private corporation tax changes, which are intended to close tax loopholes. The government is targeting three supposed loopholes: ‘income sprinkling’ (which is the practise of shifting income to family members), converting a corporation’s regular income to capital gains, and retaining passive investment in a private corporation.
While much of the controversy over these changes has focussed on their impact on medical professionals, as reported recently in the National Post** they also have the potential to place a new tax burden on businesses in our riding. Some of the supposed loopholes are used by farmers to deal with cyclical changes in yields and income. If your farm is incorporated, please consider speaking with an accountant about these proposed tax changes, as they may affect you directly.
The consultation period on the tax changes ends October 2, 2017. If you have any input on these measures, please email them to fin.consultation.fin@canada.ca.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any input on these subjects. I can be reached in Ottawa at 613-992-0761 or martin.shields@parl.gc.ca. My Brooks office can be reached at 403-793-6775 or martin.shields.c1@parl.gc.ca. Strathmore office 403-361-2980 or martin.shelds.c1b@parl.gc.ca
* The link to the CTV article is: www.ctvnews.ca/politics/rcmp-shortages-leave-mounties-in-crisis-officers-say-1.3542190
** National Post article: http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/after-the-fall-harvest-canadian-farmers-could-face-huge-tax-hit-from-new-rules/wcm/649d1ee4-330c-4157-bbc3-9cdb8f45d262
