OTTAWA - As our MPs return to Ottawa to resume Parliament, the National Citizens Coalition is calling on our federal government to carry through on its promises to reduce spending immediately.
"The number one priority simply must remain the economy," says Peter Coleman, President and CEO of the National Citizens Coalition. "We still have a long way to go before our federal government climbs out of its deficit - and taxpayers are tired of delays."
In recent weeks, there have been numerous calls from opposition MPs and special interest groups for billions of dollars in new spending, threatening to derail Canada's economic recovery.
"This government must deliver a clear blueprint to return to surplus with meaningful spending reductions," continues Coleman. "They have pledged to bring our economy out of the red one year ahead of schedule, and now is time to show Canadians if they are serious."
The federal Conservatives must not forget that they were elected on their promises to balance the budget.
"This government has pledged to find more than $4-billion each year in efficiencies and reduced spending," says Stephen Taylor, Director of the NCC. "If they hope to do this, they will have to make some real structural changes instead of just nominal spending freezes - and they will need to make them quickly."
With this year's deficit likely to tip the scales at $31-billion, there is no more time for delays.
"Canadian taxpayers want to see urgent action to reduce the size of the federal government. We must shrink the size of our bureaucracy and eliminate unnecessary or redundant government departments," says Coleman. "Spending freezes are never enough - it is time for the difficult decisions to be made."
The National Citizens Coalition is Canada's largest organization that stands for individual rights and small government.
