Income-splitting conference in Ottawa

A groundswell of support for the social benefits that family income-splitting could bring has sprung up across Canada following a recent landmark Government of Canada decision to revolutionize the tax system by allowing taxpaying couples to share pension income.

Caregiver advocates, family law experts, economists, academics and politicians will unite in Ottawa Jan. 30 at an income-splitting conference organized by independent MP Garth Turner to explore the implications of extending incomesplitting to all Canadian families. This change could establish a monetary value for home work, give invaluable support to caregivers and significantly increase the financial security of families.

"A broad coalition of retired Canadians was successful at getting the government to act on pension-splitting," said Turner, a leading advocate of the change, "and now that the concept has been adopted, it only makes sense to extend it across society at large, with the huge benefits that will accrue. This new coalition shows, clearly, Canada is demanding it."

Canada has been accused of having the worst record of fiscal support for families with children of all G7 nations. Income-splitting could increase household cash flow encouraging many households to consider having children by lessening the financial burden, and bring Canada back in line with international standards.

Income-splitting will even out tax disparities between single and dualincome families, empower stay-at-home parents with a more secure future by allowing RRSP contributions, and give economic value to the work of unpaid caregivers.

"It's about time that the government recognizes the value that unpaid caregivers are to their communities," said Sara Landriault, leading advocate for caregivers. "We are only demanding the respect and legal recognition that most workers in Canada take for granted."

"More needs to be done to install fairness in Canada's tax system. Income-splitting is vital to recognize the social value that the family unit provides our society," Turner said, adding "and help repair the fiscal imbalance that really matters - between men and women."

The Jan. 30 conference will feature speakers from across the country, a political panel and open discussion. All MPs are invited. It runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 200 West Block.