Support a Robin Hood Tax: Rally October 29

Rallies, sit-ins, and occupations will be held in cities across the United States and Canada this Saturday in support of fair taxes.

In Vancouver, members of the labour movement will show our support by joining Occupy Vancouver events at 12:00 noon at the Vancouver Art Gallery with a march at 1:00 p.m. 

What is a Robin Hood Tax? The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny tax (0.05%) that would be levied on all financial market transactions in order to raise resources for fighting poverty and climate change at home and abroad. It would cover financial transactions traded through stock exchanges, futures exchanges or any other facility established for the purpose of trading ("exchange trading") by financial market actors.

What would a Robin Hood Tax do? 

• Raise billions of dollars for fighting poverty and climate change at home and abroad
• Make sure banks and the financial sector pay their fair share of the economic recovery
• Help curb destabilizing financial speculation

What Does this Mean for Canada?

Between December 1998 and March 1999, Canadians rallied in support of a Private Member's Motion in the House of Commons, which stated, "that in the opinion of the House, the government should enact a tax on financial transactions in concert with the international community." As a result of widespread public support, the motion passed by a resounding margin of 164-83 on March 23, 1999. Canada became the first country in the world to declare its intention to work towards the adoption of a tax to control international currency speculation.

Unfortunately, the current government is showing no leadership on the issue. Stephen Harper and Jim Flaherty have both as yet rejected the idea of the tax.

• Rally: With Occupy Vancouver in SUpport of a Robin Hood Tax
• Date: Saturday Oct. 29, 12 noon. March at 1 p.m.
• Where: Vancouver Art Gallery

Visit the NUPGE website for more information about the Robin Hood Tax campaign.