SUPPORT A SKILLED TRADES MOBILITY TAX DEDUCTION
To join the campaign, please visit The Millwright Regional Council of Ontario and fill out the form to send a letter that will be directed to members of parliament and representative government officials.
Tell the Federal Government to follow through on their campaign commitment and implement a skilled trades labour mobility tax deduction for out-of-pocket expenses when travelling for work.
As of the 2021 election, all three major federal parties have said they support tax fairness and a tax deduction to help Canada’s skilled trades workers. So let’s not waste time.
With the 44th Parliament now in session, write to your Member of Parliament asking them to support the implementation of legislation to make this change now.
THE ISSUE
Skilled trade UBC Millwrights have always had to travel for work. However, sometimes the costs associated with having to travel for work make it impossible to go.
Unlike many careers, jobs in the construction and maintenance industry are cyclical meaning projects are built in different locations at different times, requiring professional skilled UBC Millwrights to travel away from home. When traveling, the costs of gas, accommodation and food – while supporting your family back home – can prove too expensive to go to work. Costs associated with traveling to where the work is, when not covered by an employer, should be tax deductible, and right now, they’re not.
ADDRESSING UNFAIRNESS IN THE INCOME TAX ACT
Salespeople, professionals, and Canadians in other industries can receive a tax deduction for the cost of their travel, meals, and accommodations. The same option is denied to skilled trades workers who work on jobsites that are in different regions than their primary residence.
Introducing a tax deduction for skilled trades workers out-of-pocket expenses when travelling for work is about tax fairness.
LESSENING FINANCIAL BURDENS ON WORKER
While some project budgets allow for workers travel costs to be paid for – many do not and, instead, require workers to pay out-of-pocket, often costing them thousands of dollars. With families to support, temporary relocation costs can prove too burdensome for workers.
Supports for labour mobility, like a tax deduction, would remove the financial barrier for skilled trades workers to temporarily relocate or travel for work.
SAVINGS FOR THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
Increased labour mobility would take workers off of programs like EI, and instead, contribute to the Canadian economy through tax revenues from their employment.
A financial projection estimates that a skilled trades workforce mobility tax deduction would save the Federal Government an estimated $347 million dollars.
WHAT WORKERS WANT
75% of skilled trades workers agree that a tax deduction will give them access to a greater number of job opportunities according to CBTU.
70% of Building Trades workers have had to pay out of pocket work-related travel expenses according to CBTU.
75% of workers say work shortages are common where they live according to CBTU.
To put more Canadians to work, the time is now for the Government of Canada to stand up for our skilled trades workers and follow through on its election commitment. It’s time to implement a skilled trades workforce mobility tax deduction.
