Campaign promises on health care highlight tension over fiscal priorities and retirement planning risks
As the federal election campaign enters its final week, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has claimed that the Liberals would impose a tax on Canadians' home equity if re-elected, according to CityNews.
Speaking to the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) in Toronto, Poilievre stated, "We will never allow a tax on home equity. Period. Full stop. Not going to happen."
He further alleged that the Liberals would need to "go out and... tax your home equity" to fund their platform, which he described as "crippling" for seniors.
Currently, Canadians are exempt from paying capital gains tax on the sale of their primary residences.
The Liberal platform, released Saturday, does not include a proposal to tax home equity.
Liberal spokesperson Mohammad Hussain responded, "This is entirely false. This is another desperate attack from the Conservatives. They do this every election."
Poilievre's stance resonates with older Canadians who rely on home equity for retirement planning. CARP has previously expressed concerns that a home equity tax would erode the savings seniors depend on to fund their retirement.
The organization noted that such a tax could create additional financial stress for retirees on fixed incomes.
In the broader context, health care spending remains a significant portion of provincial budgets in Canada, ranging from 34.5 percent in Quebec to 44.6 percent in Nova Scotia as of 2015.
Any increases in health care spending could impact a government's fiscal balance and the resources available for other programs, including pensions.
Poilievre also pledged to maintain core benefits for seniors, including keeping the retirement age at 65.
He stated that a Conservative government would not change Old Age Security eligibility or the Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) withdrawal policy.
Meanwhile, Liberal Leader Mark Carney, campaigning in Charlottetown, focused on health care, encouraging Canadian health-care professionals practising in the US to return.
He committed to a $4bn investment in hospitals and clinics and said a Liberal government would support training more family doctors and nurse practitioners, as well as recognizing foreign credentials.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, campaigning in Nanaimo, BC, pledged to cover "essential medicines" by year's end through an expanded pharmacare plan.
He criticised Poilievre for voting against pharmacare and dental care legislation and challenged Carney for not expanding coverage beyond the initial stage for diabetes medication and birth control.
Singh also stressed defending public health care against privatization, stating, "We want to fight back and defend a public and universal health care for all."
On Monday, officials with Canada's election interference task force SITE revealed a transnational repression campaign targeting Conservative candidate Joe Tay.
The operation involved online platforms like Facebook, WeChat, TikTok, RedNote and Douyin, with content targeting Tay, who is critical of the Chinese government.
SITE previously warned of a similar campaign focusing on Carney.
Leaders also marked the death of Pope Francis. Carney quoted the pope's call to "reintegrate human values into our economic lives."
Singh recalled being present for the pope's 2022 apology in Alberta.
Poilievre said Francis had inspired "millions of Catholics and non-Catholics."
Monday marked the final day of advance polls. Canadians can vote at Elections Canada offices until 6 pm Tuesday or apply to vote by mail. Election day is April 28.
