SURREY:
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today presented a plan to get British Columbia out of deficit to the Legislative Assembly’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.
“Tough times demand tough choices, and even more importantly, tough leaders,” said Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “The loss of the HST, along with the global economic downturn, a lack of discipline in provincial spending and ballooning health care costs, has left B.C. taxpayers drowning in a sea of red ink.”
But savvy spending cuts can get B.C. back on track. “This deficit can be eliminated, and not by raising taxes—which is merely the result of a government too lazy or undisciplined to make the tough choices for the province,” said Bateman. “The provincial financial house has fallen into disrepair and must be restored using the resources already in place. This deficit is a spending problem, not a revenue problem.”
The CTF recommended a range of measures for inclusion in the 2012-13 provincial budget:
SPENDING REFORM
Cut budgeted spending by 1.1 per cent
Hold the line on public sector wages and benefits
Slow the increase in health care spending
Eliminate the Pacific Carbon Trust
Convert the B.C. Air Ambulance Service to a not-for-profit model
Eliminate the Innovative Clean Energy Fund
Introduce legislation mandating debt reduction
Fully disclose MLA expenses
TAXATION REFORM
Eliminate the Medical Services Premium tax
Do not renew the carbon tax legislation
Simplify the B.C. tax code
Rein in municipalities and regional districts
CROWN CORPORATION REFORM
Don’t back down on the B.C. Hydro review recommendations
Bring B.C. Ferries’ Board and CEO back to reality
Open ICBC to competition
Sell all B.C. Liquor Stores
“The first step is to cut spending and get B.C. out of deficit,” said Bateman. “Then the Province should cut taxes, leaving more money in taxpayers’ pockets to power the B.C. economy. Bold changes are desperately needed to restore B.C. to the economic powerhouse we long to be.”
Full copies of the CTF’s 2012-13 budget submission can be found here or via the CTF website .
