OTTAWA– Liberal Finance critic Scott Brison met with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty last night and gave notice of a private members’ motion on income inequality in Canada.

“Canadians are worried about the growing gap between rich and poor and its negative effect on our society,” said Mr. Brison. “We must work to reverse this trend and defend the Canadian value of equality of opportunity.”

Mr. Brison’s private members’ motion M-315 directs the House of Commons Finance Committee to conduct an in-depth study on income inequality in Canada.

“Left unchecked, growing income gaps can weaken our social fabric,” said Mr. Brison. “This motion provides parliamentarians with the opportunity to constructively work together on one of the biggest challenges facing Canada.”

Motion M-315 is expected to come up for debate in April 2012.

Background:

The full text of motion M-315 is as follows:

That the Standing Committee on Finance be instructed to undertake a study on income inequality in Canada and that this study include, but not be limited to, (i) a review of Canada’s federal and provincial systems of personal income taxation and income supports, (ii) an examination of best practices that reduce income inequality and improve GDP per capita, (iii) the identification of any significant gaps in the federal system of taxation and income support that contribute to income inequality, as well as any significant disincentives to paid work in the formal economy that may exist as part of a “welfare trap”, (iv) recommendations on how best to improve the equality of opportunity and prosperity for all Canadians; and that the Committee report its findings to the House within one year of the adoption of this motion.