Cbc: Mint Chairman Jim Love Involved In Tax-Avoidance Scheme

I'm not surprised they are all crooks

Doesn't surprise me!

A political patronage appointment. A friend of Jim Flaherty.... Nothing new.

It's new when tax avoidance is sanctioned by the government. All of the allegations occured before his appointment to the Mint. I understand that people are disillusioned and rarely surprised that rich political appointments get special treatment, but that doesn't change the fact that we have a right to be outraged.

Tax avoidance is not illegal and most people employ whatever strategies they can to avoid paying tax - RSPs, trusts, income splitting, TFSAs as examples.

Despite the bluster by the opposition in the Commons, Mr. Love was not charged or convicted of anything illegal. Look into the real reason the Meighen family brought the CIVIL suit against Mr. Love. It had nothing to do with using existing tax law to avoid tax.

On the other hand, tax evasion is illegal. Anyone who has purchased a taxable coin from ebay without paying tax, had a taxable item shipped to family or friends in the States then reshipped to them in Canada, paid cash for a product or service without paying tax, bought something from the US or another province without paying taxes etc. etc.. You have committed tax evasion. Raise your hand if you've done none of those things.

You may say it's not the same. And you're right. He was dealing with millions and we might only be saving a couple of dollars here and there. Plus he was not doing anything overtly illegal, while anyone doing any of the above tax evasion was breaking tax laws. You cannot be a little pregnant and you can't do something a little bit illegal.