Canada in tights as global support ramps up for Robin
Decked out in tights, a band of merry men and women have taken the Robin Hood cause to the streets of Canada, as the number of global supporters for the ‘tiny tax that could’ continues to build.
A national campaign was launched Tuesday in Ottawa, reports cnews, with advocates saying the Canadian government could collect $700 million a year by introducing the tax.
“Revenue from this tiny tax would come from one of the most profitable and under-taxed sectors of our economy: the banks and stockbrokers, who — let’s be frank — can certainly afford it,” said Mark Fried, policy coordinator for Oxfam Canada. “We pay our taxes so all Canadians can have quality public services. Why shouldn’t the big banks chip in their share?”
The Robin Hood Tax proposal has taken on momentum around the world, particularly in the UK and Europe.
In France it is supported by President Nicolas Sarkozy, in Germany by Chancellor Angela Merkel. In Britain it is now officially supported by the Liberal Democrats party, polling closely against the Conservatives in the upcoming election, and has gained the support of a bevy of celebrities, from Bill Nighy to Sienna Miller.
It has over 44,000 supporters on the Robin Hood UK website, and been voted for as a ‘good idea’ close to 90,000 times.
For more on global news and the Robin Hood Tax, look out for our new Global News website section, coming soon.
