While
Conservative MP Rob Nicholson won�t be voting against
the federal government�s 2005 budget, he is concerned
about the tax relief Canadians will not see.
�I�m
happy to see tax reductions,� he said, �but I
would like to have seen more.�
His main beef as a representative of a
region where the wine industry is an important part of the
economy is that the Liberals brushed off any increase in the
excise tax for wine, saying instead that recommendations to
reduce excise duties on Canadian wine will remain under consideration.
�I find that disappointing,�
said Nicholson. Excise taxes don�t bring in that much
revenue, but reducing them �would have brought a big
boost to the wine industry.�
He also hoped for an overhaul of tax programs
for farmers, but there is little in the budget in the way
of aid for the agriculture industry, and what there is helps
cattle and grain farmers, he said.
�I don�t see anything that
is geared toward our area. I would like to have seen more
income support.�
He is pleased, however, to see a commitment
toward improving border security without impeding the flow
of people and goods, with an additional $433 million over
five years and an investment in the military.
These are steps in the right direction
he said. �I just hope it�s enough.�
But while there are concerns about
what is lacking in the budget, he added, �we won�t
be defeating the government over this.�