Standing Committee on Finance

Comité permanent des finances

For immediate release

Ottawa, December 10, 2013 -

Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance released a report entitled Income Inequality in Canada: An Overview. The report contains 24 recommendations pertaining to equality of opportunity, First Nations, education, newcomers, the tax system, financial regulations, labour markets and government supports.

The study of income inequality in Canada by the Finance Committee was based on a motion (M-315) introduced by Mr. Scott Brison, Honourable Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants, and adopted in the House of Commons on June 13, 2012.

“The Committee decided to focus largely on the views related to the topics described in M-315 and to topics that have not recently been examined by other parliamentary committees,” stated Mr. Rajotte, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Leduc and Chair of the Committee. “I am pleased that our Committee’s study of income inequality in Canada, and the subsequent report and its recommendations, can join the larger dialogue on this important topic.”

“I would like to thank Mr. Brison for bringing this worthwhile topic to the attention of the House of Commons, as well as the witnesses who appeared before the Committee on this issue. They presented a wide range of opinions on potential explanations and implication of income inequality in Canada and on measures to reduce its impacts,” said Mr. Rajotte. “Their thoughts and recommendations were an integral part of our preparation of this report, which is available online for all Canadians to read and review.”

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance met with 16 organizations and 8 individuals prior to drafting the report.

The Committee’s report is available at: Income Inequality in Canada: An Overview