From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
A group of some of the world’s wealthiest individuals – including five Canadians – have signed onto an open letter calling on the richest among them to pay their fair share in taxes.
The letter campaign from the organizations Patriotic Millionaires, Millionaires for Humanity and Tax Me Now calls on every country to tax the rich as a means to restore society's trust in the face of an unjust international tax system.
"As millionaires, we know that the current tax system is not fair," the letter reads.
"Most of us can say that, while the world has gone through an immense amount of suffering in the last two years, we have actually seen our wealth rise during the pandemic – yet few if any of us can honestly say that we pay our fair share in taxes."
The letter is addressed to those attending the World Economic Forum's online Davos summit, which began on Monday.
The annual meeting of world leaders, normally held in Davos, Switzerland, is billed as an opportunity to address global issues.
The letter, however, charges that Davos doesn't deserve the world's trust.
"For all the countless hours spent talking about making the world a better place, the conference has produced little tangible value amidst a torrent of self-congratulations," it says.
"Until participants acknowledge the simple, effective solution staring them in the face – taxing the rich – the people of the world will continue to see their so-called dedication to fixing the world's problems as little more than a performance."
Signatories to the letter include Disney heiress Abigail Disney and American venture capitalist Nick Hanauer.
The Canadians who signed onto the letter include Margit Boronkay, author and workplace consultant Erica Pinsky, founder of the venture capital firm Renewal Funds and co-author of "The Clean Money Revolution: Re-Inventing Power, Purpose and Capitalism" Joel Solomon, Claire Trottier and Sylvie Trottier.
Claire Trottier is a microbiologist and immunologist from Montreal who serves on the board of the McGill University Health Centre Foundation, as well as the Trottier Family Foundation along with Sylvie Trottier.
The letter goes on to say while the bedrock of a strong democracy is a fair tax system, people have developed a "colossal" lack of trust in the elites who have been the "architects" of that system.
"History paints a pretty bleak picture of what the endgame of extremely unequal societies looks like. For all our well-being – rich and poor alike – it's time to confront inequality and choose to tax the rich. Show the people of the world that you deserve their trust," the letter says, before offering a stern warning.
"If you don't, then all the private talks won't change what's coming – it's taxes or pitchforks. Let's listen to history and choose wisely."
Reuters reports that a spokesperson for the World Economic Forum said paying a fair share of taxes was one of the forum's tenets. A wealth tax, as exists it in Switzerland where the organization is based, could be a good model to deploy elsewhere, the spokesperson said.
According to a study by Patriotic Millionaires, Oxfam and other non-profits, a progressive wealth tax starting at two per cent for those with more than US$5 million and rising to five per cent for billionaires could raise US$2.52 trillion, enough globally to lift 2.3 billion people out of poverty and guarantee health care and social protection for individuals living in lower income countries.
With files from Reuters
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
The stakes have been set for a bet between Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors on who will win Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
A P.E.I. lighthouse and a New Brunswick river are being honoured in a Canada Post series.
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.