Mountain New Democrat MP Chris Charlton is optimistic the Harper government will adopt her proposal to amend the Income Tax Act to allow accredited tradespeople and apprentices to deduct the cost of travel and accommodation from their income taxes if the work site is more than 80 kilometres from home.

In Nov. 2006, Ms. Charlton introduced a private member's bill (C-390) that would allow for those deductions.

While the bill remains at the second reading stage, Ms. Charlton received an encouraging response from Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in the House of Commons May 6 when she asked the minister when the government would act on the legislation.

"As a government we have been a strong advocate of encouraging involvement in the trades," Mr. Flaherty said. "In fact, we have introduced a series of tax measures, including the tradesperson's tool deduction and the apprenticeship job creation tax credit, and we will consider all such constructive proposals like the one (Ms. Charlton) brings forth as part of the budget development process."

Ms. Charlton called Mr. Flaherty's response great news.

"I was pleasantly surprised to get some positive feedback," said Ms. Charlton, who noted the building trades have been lobbying for the tax changes for 30 years.

"If (the Conservatives ) want to pursue this as a government initiative I'd be fine with that," Ms. Charlton said. "This bill shouldn't be lost because of partisan politics."

Ms. Charlton said the bill will enable the large pool of building trades workers in Hamilton to work on projects in other communities in other parts of the country without having to shoulder the cost of transportation and lodging.

The Mountain MP believes the tax changes will actually bring more money into government coffers as it will mean fewer employment insurance payouts and more income taxes collected from trades people who are working.

"In comparison the income deduction is negligible," said Ms. Charlton, who believes the business community will also support the move.

She said travelling sales people and long-haul truckers currently enjoy similar tax breaks.

The Mountain MP is hopeful the government will act on the issue as part of the economic update that is usually announced each fall or as part of the budget process next spring.