Dear editor,
Re: Tom Fletcher column Time to take MSP off life support (Feb. 25)
Tom I would really like it if some day you just reported what happened at the legislature instead of putting the twisted Black Press spin on the news.
I really love it you when try to make out that civil servants are stealing tax-payers’ money. As far as employer paid MSP premiums this is something that a private company has decided to pay on behalf of the employee, no one is forcing them to pay the tax.
As far as the civil servant is concerned there has never been an option to pay the MSP premiums yourself. You are permitted to opt out only if you can prove that another member of your family is already paying the premium for you.
The “company” MSP premium paid on your behalf is being made out to be free. All moneys paid out by the employer on behalf of an employee are a taxable benefit and considered income and is calculated as part of your wage. We all pay taxes on a “benefits package” paid out on your behalf by an employer. Do you really think that the CRA would let us have free money?
Just stick to reporting the news and stop trying to make the news and please stop misleading the public. If you don’t check your facts first before you print them, then maybe you are deliberately trying to spin the news.
The MSP premiums system needs a major overhaul and be tied to the income tax system like all the other nine provinces do. But that would make it look like we are paying a higher income tax and the BC Liberal government would not like that.
I am a retired civil servant and still have my MSP premiums deducted off my pension.
Larry Church
Courtenay
