P.E.I. government dodges tax questions

The P.E.I. government was peppered with questions about taxes Wednesday, but Finance Minister Allen Roach said it was just the Opposition trying to find out what is in the upcoming provincial budget.

Roach wouldn't bite when Stratford-Kinlock MLA James Aylward asked if he would raise the basic personal tax exemption.

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But he did respond when Aylward asked if it is fair that Islanders beginpaying taxes on any income earned above$7,708, but in New Brunswick that thresholdis not reached until$9,758.

"We can compare ourselves to New Brunswick, but I'd prefer the present situation that this province is in with respect to our taxes and our expenditures, what we provide, and what our budget looks like in the past number of years," Roach said.

When Belfast-Murray River MLA Darlene Compton asked Roach if, given the increases in taxes, licences and fees, it is fair to ask Islanders to pay even more, Roach accused the Opposition of trying to "crawl into the budget before the budget is even released."

"I understand why they're trying to do that," he said. "But there's a budget process that's in place, and I think it's only fair that we respect the system and respect the way that that process is supposed to come through the House, and that's to be delivered to this Legislature in the proper format."

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