Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Political Parties: Steal This Platform

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released a provincial election platform today; a document with taxpayer friendly initiatives for political parties to consider as they finish working on their upcoming provincial election platforms. The taxpayer-friendly platform includes policy ideas on tax relief, spending, justice matters, environmental policy, accountability measures, health care, and the debt.

He’s Just Not That Into Your Spending Approach

You don’t sign up for every credit card that gets offered to you. You don’t max out every card that you currently own. And you certainly don’t respond to a pay cut by going on a shopping spree. You spend your money wisely...well, for the most part.

Part III: Taxpayer Friendly Platform

In two previous columns, we examined policy ideas the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) floated as part of our “taxpayer friendly platform.” The ideas were offered up to provincial political parties for consideration as they work on their own platforms for the upcoming fall provincial election.

Salute to Super Civil Servants

Over the years, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has come into contact with many conscientious civil servants that care deeply about how public funds are spent. In fact, many have blown the whistle on government waste and have helped save taxpayers thousands of dollars. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge some of those fine men and women and dispel the stereotype that ‘civil servants are all overpaid and reckless with public funds.’ A couple years ago, a civil servant notified the CTF of a “spa day” that took place at a government funded child and family services agency in Manitoba. The event was completely over the top – make-up lessons, tarot card readings, manicures and pedicures for staff - all on the public dime.

Part II: Taxpayer Friendly Platform

Last week, we explored some tax reduction options we floated to political parties for consideration in their platforms for the upcoming provincial election. The ideas were part of a “taxpayer friendly election platform” released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. We noted a couple examples last week that showed how reducing tax rates can spur economic growth and lead to higher tax revenues for the government.

“Bureaucrat Olympics” Symptom of a Larger Problem

Have you ever wondered if bureaucrats who work for the federal government are better at shooting rubber bands into a basket than their provincial counterparts? Or if municipal bureaucrats are better than both at picking up paper clips with chopsticks? Well, now we might have such answers because on June 14th at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, bureaucrats from the federal, provincial and municipal government competed in what was called “The Tri-Level Challenge.” The brand new, four hour event featured games, a free lunch for the first 350 bureaucrats who attended, prizes, a comedian, live band and other “surprises.” And yes, this event was on top of all the fun office activities that government divisions already hold at the local level.

Minister Clement…Need A Place To Start Cutting?

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) encouraged new Federal Treasury Board Minister Tony Clement today to start the waste cutting by scrapping a new federal initiative – the “Bureaucrat Olympics.”

Even Better Than The Real Subsidy

The Irish rock band U2 got its start by rolling up its sleeves and raising funds privately to get their band going.

Budget Provides Modest Restraint, Delivers on Ending Political Welfare

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) reacted with tepid support towards today’s budget, commending the federal government for its modest plan to balance the budget, move to eliminate political welfare and for making the Gas Tax Transfer permanent.

Puzzling Economics In Teachers’ Union Negotiations

If you walked into your boss’s office and stated “I want the same pay raise that Johnny Depp received for his new Pirates movie,” what would your boss say?

Sick Leave Opportunity

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released data today on sick time used up by Saskatchewan government employees. According to a freedom of information response, the average government employee took 10.4 sick days in 2009-10, up from 10.0 days in 2008-09.

HST Cut Enough to Reject the PST

VANCOUVER, BC: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today applauded the B.C. government’s announcement of a staged reduction in the provincial harmonized sales tax (HST) rate from 12 per cent to 10 per cent by July 1, 2014. “We’ve been calling for a two-point cut in the HST for nearly two years now – since the HST was introduced,” said Gregory Thomas, BC Director. “But better late than never.”

To fix the HST, Premier Clark should follow Stephen Harper, not Gordon Campbell and not Kim Campbell

Premier Christy Clark says she is going to fix the harmonized sales tax (HST) for B.C. families and she says she is going to fix it before the end of May. We can’t wait. And we’re hopeful, if not optimistic, that she won’t screw it up.

Taxpayer Friendly NHL Return

When an NHL team returns to Winnipeg (yes, that’s a confident “when” not an “if”) many will wonder if a team will be able to survive this time. In fact, some have already speculated as to what financial assistance government (i.e. taxpayers) could provide to help a team stay afloat. While giving tax dollars to private, for-profit businesses is inappropriate, there are some taxpayer-friendly things the government could do to support an NHL return.

Sayonara Subsidized Christmas Shopping

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released documents today which show the provincial government’s Vital Statistics Branch allowed employees to go Christmas shopping on the clock in 2010, even though the department knew it was “extremely behind.”

Teachers Union Entitlements Are Unaffordable

Did your salary go up by 12 per cent this year? If it didn’t, how on earth can you afford the 12 per cent pay increase the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation is demanding? Clearly, the union’s demand is unreasonable.

CTF Calls on Leaders to Cooperate on Gold-Plated MP Pension Plan Reform

OTTAWA, ON: Responding to public outrage over $111.5 million in pension and severance benefits for MPs defeated and retiring after Monday’s election, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has written Prime Minister Harper and Opposition Leader Leader Layton, calling on them to reform the gold-plated MP pension plan.

Time to Re-evaluate MP Pensions

So how deep are your pockets when it comes to giving goodbye payments and pensions for Members of Parliament (MPs) who lost their seats or decided not to run again?

MPs Cash in on $116 million in Pension & Severance Bonanza

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released its calculations of estimated pension and severance payments paid to the 113 MPs who were either defeated or did not seek re-election in the May 2, 2011 general election. Defeated and retiring MPs will collect $4.9 million in pension payments in their first year, reaching a cumulative total of $1115 million by age 80. In addition, another $4.3 million in severance cheques will be issued to former MPs. The pension and severance calculations for individual MPs are available HERE.

Inconvenient Truth on Tax Changes

No doubt your tax dollars will be used in the coming months to pay for government ads to promote the recent provincial budget. When you see the ads, here’s what you need to keep in mind about the personal income tax changes the ads will no doubt trumpet.