Although the leaders’ debate was dominated by depressing, expensive social problems, some of the tax talk sounded encouraging.

Attention returned Wednesday to differences between two major tax-cut promises from the B.C. NDP and the Conservative Party of B.C.

They both look promising, but that’s all they are at this point: promises. A similar NDP rebate plan from seven years ago for renters lay dormant for years and arrived in a watered-down version.

B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau stands alone in opposing tax cuts, saying during the debate that generations of politicians promise them when the revenue should be used to solve problems systematically.

Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad opened the bidding earlier in the campaign with a promise to make up to $3,000 a month in rent or mortgage payments tax-deductible.

Reducing taxable income to that extent would save middle-income earners about $1,600 a year in taxes, he said, although it would take a year to start implementing and require several years before it takes full effect.

The full impact of the tax can’t be determined until the party’s........

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