EDMONTON, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released responses from all six PC Party leadership candidates to ten key questions posed by the CTF.
The CTF makes clear that the survey and grades are not an endorsement of any candidate or party, but a tool for the public to show where candidates -- and the next premier -- stand on CTF priority issues. Grading is only provided as a quick reference.
“We were very pleased to see unequivocal commitments from Mr. Mar, Dr. Morton and Ms. Redford to balance the budget by 2013 without tax hikes,” said Scott Hennig, CTF-Alberta director. “Further, all candidates committed in some manner to saving resource revenues into the future, which will help to protect taxpayers over the long run.”
Dr. Morton also committed to a spending cap, and to address a CTF pet-peeve -- to formally move funds into the Debt Retirement Account to ensure repayment of the up to $3.3 billion the Stelmach government has either borrowed or committed to borrow for capital projects.
“We were also pleased to see no candidate was willing to provide provincial funds for new NHL arenas. This is no more than corporate welfare and it’s encouraging the next premier understands this,” continued Hennig.
On the MLA pay and expenses side, the CTF expects to see significant improvements once the new premier is in place. Every candidate committed to some form of MLA pay review by an outside body and only Mr. Horner and Mr. Orman balked at finally making MLA expenses public by putting itemized expense receipts online like the City of Toronto.
“The CTF blew the whistle on the MLA pay hikes following the 2008 election and it’s been a continued sore point for the past three years for many Albertans,” continued Hennig. “All of the candidates acknowledge this and have committed to address the issue.”
“Currently, Albertans have no way of knowing how MLAs spend taxpayer dollars in their offices. If Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Mar, Dr. Morton or Ms. Redford end up as the next premier, this is going to change. All four have committed to make MLA expenses public and online,” continued Hennig. “The CTF is pleased we were able to garner this meaningful commitment.”
The CTF was, however, disappointed that candidates seemed reluctant to make meaningful commitments on public sector pension reform, MLA recall or allowing private health insurance for medically necessary procedures.
“Public sector pension liabilities are ballooning in Alberta and the next premier cannot ignore this elephant in the room,” concluded Hennig.
Complete copies of A Fiscally Conservative Premier? including full written responses from the six leadership candidates can be found online at: Link.
A similar survey of Alberta Liberal leadership candidates will be released shortly.
