Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago we launched a pay stub campaign to have Canadians tell parliament about how much they are paying in federal tax.
We have received over 200 pay stubs from Canadians who are outraged. One was from Adam Grabowski from Hamiota, Manitoba, a teacher with 12 years experience, who said, “My last pay stub in October showed that I grossed $4,412. Federal income tax takes $1,130 and for approximately 10 months of the year I lose $110 to employment insurance and $140 to the CPP”. He is afraid that he will not collect the CPP and he cannot claim employment insurance. He said, “Even before I get a chance to pay into other things that are supposed to help take care of my family, I have to give almost $1,400 to the federal government. Because of the debt we have, my wife and I have decided that only the kids will get gifts this year for Christmas. We will not be buying for ourselves or our extended family. So much for merry. There is no money for it”.
He goes on to say that either his wife will have to leave the kids and go to work or they will have to sell their house—