Flaherty noncommittal on income splitting, says it must wait until surplus

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. – Finance Minister Jim Flaherty isn’t saying what could become of his government’s promise to introduce income splitting, or other campaign promises that have yet to be realized.

Flaherty has sowed doubt about the future of the Conservatives’ promise in 2011 to allow income splitting since he questioned the wisdom of such a policy earlier this week.

He wouldn’t say during an event in North Vancouver why the government appears to be reconsidering the promise.

Nor is he answering questions about other promises that were contingent on a balanced budget, such as expanding a fitness tax credit and doubling the tax-free savings account contribution limit.

Flaherty says the government expects a healthy surplus next year, which will allow it to make choices.

Still, he’s not revealing anything about just what those choices might be, instead repeating his government’s line that it wants to reduce taxes for families.