Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to table this petition on behalf of people living in Port Alberni, in my riding. They highlight and want to draw the House of Commons' attention to these facts: that wealth inequality in Canada is rising, with more Canadians struggling to afford the basics of life while corporate profits continue to break records; that austerity measures often exacerbate inequality; that the federal government is implementing austerity measures, including a massive cut of $25 billion to publicly funded jobs and programs that Canadians rely on; that the federal government has cut and plans on further cutting taxes on the wealthy; and that climate change is worsening, causing Canadians a projected $25 billion in losses each year.
The petitioners highlight that a wealth tax could, as per the Centre for Policy Alternatives, generate more than $32 billion in its first year alone. They are calling on the government to reverse the sweeping cuts to Canadian jobs and services and to put forward a bill to fund good-paying jobs, public services and the transition to a sustainable economy by making corporations and the wealthiest Canadians pay their fair share.