Today, I introduced Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (home security measures) in the House of Commons. This Bill will help make home security more affordable for Canadians by creating a Home Security Tax Credit.
If passed, this non-refundable tax credit would be applied to the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of a security system installed in an individual’s home. This would include any structure that is separate from an individual’s home, such as a garage or barn. The maximum dollar amount eligible for tax credit application is $5,000 per year.
Like many constituencies in rural Canada, the Prince Albert riding is being ravaged by increasing crime rates. Through the town halls I have hosted and attended, and from the many discussions I have held with my constituents, it is clear that rural Canadians are calling for action on this file. This Bill is part of a suite of legislation aimed at addressing rural crime which members of the Conservative Party’s Rural Crime Caucus plan to introduce during this parliamentary session. It is an important step to address the issue of rural crime and help all Canadians feel safer in their homes.
During the last Parliament, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security recognized that crime in rural areas is a growing concern, and that rural crime rates in both Eastern and Western Canada are increasing.
In May of last year, Statistics Canada reported there were 6,210 Criminal Code violations per 100,000 people nationally in rural areas in 2017. In Saskatchewan, the rate was 13,829 per 100,000 people – over double the national average. In the Prairie provinces in 2017, rates in rural areas were 36% to 42% higher than in urban areas.
You can view and/or download a copy of my Bill by clicking here.