OTTAWA — A motion increasing the proportion of capital gains that are taxed in Canada easily passed the House of Commons Tuesday, as the governing Liberals and Conservatives traded barbs about whether it will harm the middle class or make the country's wealthy pay more. The NDP, Bloc Québécois and Greens voted with the Liberals in favour of the motion while the Conservatives voted against, moving it past the finish line with the tax adjustment now set to take effect June 25. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland looked extremely pleased as she gathered her belongings in the House of Commons after the vote.
The measure was a key part of her recent federal budget and she introduced it as a stand-alone motion Monday in a challenge to the Conservatives to vote against "generational fairness." "We are stepping up for Canadians, the Conservatives are stepping up for the rich," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shouted in question period. "Mr.
Speaker, if it did not have real world impacts on Canadians, it would almost be amusing to watch the Conservative leader tie himself in knots to try and justify voting in favour of advantages for the wealthy Canadians when they sell really profitable investments." Not so, responded Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who insists the wealthy will find ways to move their money out of Canada to avoid paying the tax, which will negatively affect farmers, small businesses, doctors and homebuilders. "Why is it that every time prime minister mention.
