Most Canadians would prefer to see better public services, and would even be willing to pay more taxes to improve health and education services, clean up the environment and reduce child poverty. There is a growing consensus that the Harris government's decision to lay off water inspectors, close public testing labs, and download and privatize responsibility for water quality contributed to the deaths of many townspeople. But they were not the first casulties of public sector cutbacks. Seniors die each flu season when they can't get into hospitals. Others die of summer smog made worse by cuts to public transit.
Homeless people die each winter for lack of social services and public housing.
Taxes help reduce inequality Those of us concerned about the growing gap between rich and poor must point out the relationship between inequality and taxation.