Ch-ch-changes

July 1st wasn't just any Canada Day this year. July 1st brought a change to the GST (1% less tax); the start of Harper's promised $100 per month toward childcare; and Canada and the US agreed on the final wording to the Softwood Lumber Agreement as reached in April.

On a green note, the federal government is also offering a tax break for transit pass users, effective July 1st. (If you buy a monthly pass in Victoria, save the pass itself and also the receipt in order to claim your refund; you need proof that you paid for it, so unless it has your name on it, you need a receipt.)

In BC, the Teacher's Union (BCTF) reached a settlement at the 11th hour -- they'll see 16% (in wages, and benefits improvements) over 5 years, plus a signing bonus, but workload was not addressed. In theory, this means no strikes or walkouts for 5 years, but this is BC.

In a more frivolous arena, Victoria's Shaw Cable has added another movie channel (Encore Avenue 2 -- on channel 29) to the analog lineup, banishing CNBC to the outer reaches of digital cable.


tags: federal finances, taxes, cable, unions