Boy: “Dad, can you lend me your credit card?”

Dad: “Why do you want my credit card, son?”

Boy: “I want to buy you a Christmas present.”

There are undoubtedly some knowing mothers and fathers smiling at this statement, but the smiles disappear when you think that our federal government is trying to do exactly this with its latest financial gimmick. This silly tax rebate is designed to give people $250 of their own money, as long as they earned a good wage in 2023. If you lost your job and didn’t have any income in 2023, you do not get the $250. If you have a disability and are receiving government assistance but no working wage, you do not get the money.

However, if you were one of the fortunate people who earned up to $150,000 in 2023, you are going to receive $250. That is going to save you on your Christmas tree, as long as you don’t go to the tree lot before Dec. 15. It will save you the GST on that model airplane that you want to buy for Christmas, but not on the glue you will need to put it together. You will save........

© Calgary Herald