WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is giving mixed reviews to today’s Throne Speech by highlighting a couple of its more noteworthy commitments.
“Thumbs up to the Wall government for continuing with promised education tax relief, a plan to tackle red tape and a new commissioner to help protect whistleblowers,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “But a big thumbs down for not even mentioning the province's significant deficit.”
The Good:
Promised education tax relief will continue
Hiring a new whistleblower commissioner
Red tape reduction initiative
Require ID when voting in provincial elections
The Bad:
No mention of the deficit
Home safety audits (how have taxpayers survived for centuries without them?)
New provincial parks (again, remember the deficit)
More funding for athletes (again, remember the deficit)
"Hopefully, come budget time, there will be no deficit to speak of, but it's going to take some restraint and heavy lifting to get there," concluded Craig.
