CHARLTON RE-INTRODUCES BILL IN SUPPORT OF MOBILE TRADE WORKERS

Mountain MP calls on Finance Minister to address labour shortage in economic update

OTTAWA – In difficult economic times, it is incumbent upon legislators to do everything we can to help Canadians secure work. That is the message Hamilton Mountain MP Chris Charlton brought to Parliament as she re-introduced her bill to help reduce the costs faced by tradespersons who travel to temporary job away from their primary residences.

“Canada’s tradespersons should not be forced to decline distant employment opportunities. Like long-haul truck drivers, they should be able to write off their travel expenses,” said Ms. Charlton. “In these uncertain economic times, we need to make it easier for people to work.”

Charlton’s bill, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (travel and accommodation deduction for tradespersons) would allow accredited tradespersons and indentured apprentices to deduct from their income taxes the travel and accommodation expenses that result from working at a job site more then 80 km away from their primary residence.

“Our current reality disadvantages the building and construction trades and discourages labour mobility that is valuable to the economy,” said Ms. Charlton. “It has never made sense for tradespersons to be out of work in one area of the country while another region suffers from temporary skilled labour shortages simply because the cost of travelling is too high.”

Charlton, who received strong support from the Building Trades in Hamilton during the fall election, is optimistic that this bill will receive the support of parliament and the government.

“I have spoken to the Minister of Finance about this bill, and he has assured me that it would be considered as part of the budgetary process,” said Charlton. “I hope it will be reflected in the economic update that the Minister is delivering on Thursday. I am hopeful that in seeking ways to address the current economic crisis, all members of this House will put partisanship aside, and work with me to ensure that this bill receives the speedy passage it deserves.”