Canada election 2015: Trudeau promises tax benefit for teachers

Liberal Leader JustinTrudeau's proposal fora schoolsupplies tax benefit for teachers goes "above and beyond" a broader employment benefitcreated by the Conservativesnearly a decade ago, his press secretary told CBC News.

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Trudeau, a formerteacher, promised a tax credit onup to $1,000 spent on out-of-pocket expenses starting this coming school year during acampaign stop at a school supplies producer in Newmarket, Ont. on Wednesday morning. The credit would beworth 15 per cent or up to $150.

"I know very well as a teacher that sometimes you have out-of-pocket expenses to help enhance the activities in your classroomeverything from gold star stickers to timestable posters. Unfortunately, those expenses aren't recognized by our federal tax system," he said.

The Conservative campaigncalledTrudeau'sproposal redundant, claiming educatorscan already claim those costs undertheCanada employment amount, introduced by the Conservatives in 2006.

The employmentbenefit"providesrecognition for work-related expenses such as home computers, uniforms and supplies," with 15 per cent back onup to $1,127, according to theCanada Revenue Agency.

Trudeau's press secretaryZitaAstravastold CBC News in an emailthat the benefit to teachers would go"above and beyond the employment credit that any employee in any field already receives."

The employment credit does not require receipts while the benefit proposed by Trudeau would require receipts.

Harper touts many Conservative tax credits

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper initially said the teacher benefit was "worth considering" when asked about itduring his own campaign stop in Lancaster, Ont.,shortly afterTrudeau'sannouncement.

Harper also said thatTrudeau appeared to be trying to "ape" the many Conservative tax credits that the Liberal Party has opposed in the past.

"It's an interesting switch for the Liberal Party," he said. "We brought in tax credits for students, for their bus passes, for their textbooks. We've brought in various plans to improve educational savings for Canadian parents all things, which Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party have opposed."

Harper announced his plan to introduce a tax creditfor people who belong to service clubs, such as the RoyalCanadian Legion, at a campaign event on Sunday.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcairalso proposeda tax credit Wednesday that aims to bolster the sagging manufacturing sector by giving a break to businesses that invest in"innovation." He said it would save manufacturers $40 millionannually bydefraying costs ofmachinery, equipment and propertyto assist research and development in the manufacturing sector.