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Global poll shows 63 per cent support financial transactions tax (Robin Hood Tax) with support highest in France, Germany, U.K., Canada and the U.S.
Brussels (20 June 2012) - A 13 country global poll conducted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) finds support for a financial transactions tax - often called the Robin Hood Tax - at 63 per cent.
France had the strongest support with 88 per cent in favour of the tax, followed by 82 per cent in Germany, 76 per cent in the U.K., 74 per cent in Canada and 63 per cent in the U.S.
The report notes that while "Canadians and Americans may be unfamiliar with the notion of the financial transactions tax, but it does not mean they don’t like it. After a short explanation of the tax, they react very positively. Almost two-thirds of the American respondents favor the tax – only 37 per cent opposes it. The Canadian respondents are even more enthusiastic: 74 per cent favors the tax; just 26 per cent opposes it."
Unions will deliver the polling to world leaders at the G20 summit in Los Cabos. In a bid to push the FTT back onto the G20 agenda, French President Francois Hollande plans to raise the issue with fellow world leaders at the first G20 since his election.
"Four years on from the crisis, global unemployment is climbing to 210 million, incomes are going down and the majority of people can’t save any money. The FTT would put 480 million Euros back into the global economy and curb financial speculation," said Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary.
There is growing anger and resentment that international banks and large corporations haven’t paid enough to fix the global financial crisis. Seventy-eight per cent of the public think international banks should pay more, and 77 per cent think large corporations should pay more.
James Clancy, National President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is not surprised by the poll results.
"Canadians have always known a good idea when they see it," said Clancy. "The Robin Hood Tax best exemplifies our tradition of expressing our collective values and visions for a just world together into progressive policies."
"Let's hope the Harper government catches up to the Canadian public."
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