Voting in future elections could put $50 back in your pocket.
Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann announced plans yesterday for “12 steps to a cleaner government,” which proposed a $50 tax credit to those who vote in provincial elections.
Swann said the 40 per cent voter turnout in the last election was “unacceptable.”
“I like to give incentives for people to do the right thing,” said Swann.
He estimated that if the tax credit were given to one million voters in an election year, it would cost the government around $12.5 million per year.
“This is an important investment in democracy and if it gets people out to the polls … I say it’s worth it,” he explained.
Mount Royal policy studies instructor Duane Bratt said the tax credit idea has potential.
“I think we need to look at a number of different ways of increasing voter turnout, and this is a creative one,” said Bratt. “This would be something that would be a good trial balloon in one province.”
Along with the tax credit, the “Clean Government Initiative” proposed fixed elections dates, banning all corporate donations and limiting the power of the premier’s office.
