The Canadian Press Posted:Dec 29, 2011 12:41 PM PT
B.C.'s finance minister is defending the province's long-standing decision to raise health premiums starting on Sunday. MSP premiums are set to increase by about six per cent starting January 1st, marking the third year in a row that the fees have increased. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has attacked the increase, holding it up as an example of unfair tax hikes for British Columbians, but B.C's finance minister is defending it. In a written statement, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon says the increases are needed to pay for rising health care costs, and he maintains that B.C. has one of the lowest tax burdens in the country.------
On December 31, 2009, B.C. families paid $108 a month in MSP tax. That increased to $114 on January 1, 2010, and again to $121 on January 1, 2011. On January 1st. 2012 a family with children will see their monthly Medical Services Premium (MSP) tax bill go from $121 to $128, an increase of $84 a year.
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From January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011 monthly rates are $60.50 for one person, $109.00 for a family of two and $121.00 for a family of three or more. Effective January 1, 2012, monthly rates are $64.00 for one person, $116.00 for a family of two and $128.00 for a family of three or more.
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