‘Average’ family in federal budget isn’t realistic: critics
Posted February 20, 2014 7:17 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – Are you like the Conservatives’ fictional family? According to critics, probably not.
Some say the increasing income of a fictional family in the latest federal budget doesn’t reflect real life.
The Conservatives used so-called “average” families — two parents and two kids — as examples in 2012 and 2013, as well as this year.
In this latest budget, the Conservatives said — because of their policies — 2014’s made-up parents, “Blake and Laurie” brought in $120,000 and had $3,400 in tax savings.
The fake family in 2012 brought in $100,000 and had annual tax savings of just over $3,000.
That family also enjoyed tax breaks for arts and fitness lessons for their kids.
Critics claim looking at the families’ salaries reveals significant hikes that are much higher than inflation, something that is not reflected in the experiences of many “real” Canadians.
