March Challenge - Day 21: First Campaign Promise Fizzles

So the Conservatives were the first to lay down a campaign promise today, one that really isn't important to me, but important for any family with two parents - income splitting.

For couples with kids under the age of 18, they can split up to $50,000 in income, allowing 1.8 million families a savings of approximately $1,300 a year. This $2 billion dollar tax cut that impacts about 20% of the population (if not less) comes with two big ifs...

(1) The Conservatives win a majority.

(2) The Conservatives can balance the budget.

While the first point is a possibility (with 12 seats away from a majority, gains in Quebec and Ontario can make all the difference), the second is a laughable condition. With it's own predictions during last year's budget that they won't be able to eliminate the deficit well until after 2015, they'll be well on their way to planning another election before this tax cut can kick in.

For a tax cut that is both unrealistic and doesn't help those single-income families that could use a tax cut the most, you get an F on your first campaign promise.