Social and economic disparities are growing – a trend that is simply unacceptable in a 21st century democracy. Indeed, it is a trend that threatens the very idea of democracy itself, as those with the most wealth are most able to influence, if not control, political decision-making to protect and strengthen their own interests. The wealthiest citizens, who can most easily afford to pay a fair share of our nation’s public service costs, enjoy a tax system skewed in their favour, while the great majority of citizens are increasingly punished by the underfunding and curtailment of critical public services.

Vision

We believe that Canada in the 21st century should be a society in which economic disparities are decreasing, common needs are met by investing in high-quality public services, economic policies are designed to protect our environment, and the will of the people drives our political process.

Mission

The mission of Canadians for Tax Fairness is to build a national campaign to promote fair taxation. We support the development and implementation of a tax system, based on ability to pay, to fund the comprehensive, high-quality network of public services and programs required to meet our social, economic and environmental needs in the 21st century. Canadians for Tax Fairness will work together with other groups and individuals who share our goals.

Our Principles

We will campaign for a fair tax system that:

• puts the needs of Canadians first
• means progressive taxation, where those who have more contribute more
• puts an end to tax loopholes for the wealthiest
• means ending the race to the bottom on corporate tax rates because corporations also have a responsibility to society
• opposes the use of offshore tax havens and banking hideaways
• includes the use of goods and services taxes to encourage sustainable social and environmental practices by taxing the "bads" more than the "goods"
• includes the introduction of new sources of public revenue, such as a financial transaction tax

Our Objectives

Canadians for Tax Fairness will:

• develop and promote progressive tax policies that are rooted in Canadian values, and that strengthen our capacity to provide public services and protect our environment.
• create a grassroots counter-force to anti-tax crusaders by organizing national campaign activities and mobilizing volunteers.
• actively lobby all levels of government for the related legislation, regulations and policies.
• create an online clearinghouse for popular education tools and support materials.
• create public communications opportunities for progressive economists and other experts through a proactive media relations program.

2011 Annual Report

Board of Directors

The following people have volunteered to serve on the Board:

• Peter Bleyer - consultant, former Executive Director, Council of Canadians, and past President, Canadian Council on Social Development
• Neil Brooks - tax law professor, co-author The Trouble With Billionaires
• Shannon Daub (Secretary) - Communications Director, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC Office
• Murray Dobbin (President) - writer, political commentator, columnist with The Tyee and rabble.ca
• John Doherty - interim executive director for NGOs, former Board Chair, Greenpeace Canada
• Diana Gibson - Research Director, Parkland Institute
• Joe Gunn - Executive Director, Citizens for Public Justice
• Rob Howarth - Executive Director, Toronto Neighbourhood Centres, fair tax workshop innovator
• Murray Klippenstein - social justice lawyer, former President, Canadian Environmental Defence Fund
• David Langille (Treasurer) - Executive Producer, Poor No More, former Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice
• Linda McQuaig - journalist, co-author The Trouble With Billionaires
• Toby Sanger, Senior Economist, CUPE
• Mike Luff, Coordinator of Research and Communications, National Union of Public and General Employees

National Advisory Council

• Dr. Karen Hamilton, General Secretary, Canadian Council of Churches 
• Dr. Alex Himelfarb, former Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary of Cabinet for three Prime Ministers
• Peter C. Newman, journalist and author
  
•  Douglas Peters, former Secretary of State (Finance) and former TD Bank Chief Economist
• Clayton Ruby, CM, QC, lawyer, editor Canadian Rights Reporter
• Ed Broadbent, former Leader of NDP

Technical Advisory Committee

• Andrew Jackson, Chief Economist, Canadian Labour Congress; 
• Marc Lee, Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC Office;
• David Macdonald, Coordinator, Alternative Federal Budget, CCPA; 
• Hugh Mackenzie, economic consultant, Chair and President, Atkinson Foundation; 
• Jim Stanford, author Economics for Everyone, economist, CAW; 
• Erin Weir, Chair, Progressive Economics Forum; 
• Armine Yalnizyan, Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives;
• Richard Shillington, statistician, social and economic policy consultant;
• Andrew McNeill, National Union of Public and General Employees.

Annual Report for 2011