Canadian Taxpayers Federation

CTF Releases Fiscal Flood Plan Report

• Sustainability Fund to be entirely depleted before year-end
• CTF recommends mandatory flood insurance & ‘hard-cap’ on flood aid

CALGARY, AB: Today the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released its recommendations for rebuilding from the 2013 floods in a report titled, ‘Responsibly Rebuilding Alberta.’ In the report, the CTF estimates the fiscal changes to the province resulting from the flood and makes a series of recommendations for flood aid, and how the province should pay for rebuilding.

Another Unfair Situation For Taxpayers

They say that life isn’t fair.

Taxpayers Shouldn’t Subsidize Mobile Phone Competition

This commentary was first published in the Tuesday, August 20th edition of the Vancouver Sun. It’s not hard to understand why the Canadian government would want more companies selling mobile phones in Canada.

TransLink Brass and Police Raking in the Cash

• 58 Transit Police officers made more than $100,000

VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called on TransLink to roll back executive and management salaries as the first step toward cutting costs in order to avoid massive tax hikes. TransLink released its 2012 salary disclosure documents this week.

Hospital Cafeterias Losing Millions

• BAD: Government-run hospital cafeterias in Manitoba lost $4.5 million from 2010-12
• GOOD: Victoria General Hospital partnered with a private business and turned $186,851 loss into $25,593 gain; other RHAs should do same and look at partnerships

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released analysis today showing most government-run hospital cafeterias are losing money selling chocolate bars, muffins, sandwiches, juice and other snacks. According to Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained by the CTF, government-run hospitals lost $2.3 million in 2011-12 and $2.2 million in 2010-11.

Potash Unpredictability Proves Need For Prudence

Imagine if your spouse worked in sales, had a really good year and brought home a $10,000 bonus.

Politicking In The Classroom Not Acceptable

Teaching social studies and political material in a high school has got to be a delicate job.

If Canadians Vote to Abolish the Senate, Politicians Must Listen

This commentary was first published in the Monday, July 29th edition of the Toronto Star. We've nearly been trampled in recent days by a veritable herd of Canadian academics, falling over one another to remind us that the Canadian Senate cannot be abolished.

Calls for National Referendum on Abolishing the Senate

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper and all Parliamentarians to let Canadian voters decide the fate of the Senate in a national referendum during the next election.

Alberta needs to reboot budget to deal with flooding

The following commentary was published in the July 17th edition of the Calgary Herald & Edmonton Journal On June 20, tens of thousands of households and businesses had to throw their plans for the current year out the window. Nearly every single family and business affected by the flood has been forced to change their vacation plans, their budgets and savings plans for the current year, and potentially for many years to come.

Five Ways to Stop the Next Senate Expense Scandal from Happening

Now that the RCMP are investigating, it’s pretty much guaranteed that the Senate expense scandal will have a devastating impact on the people involved. But it’s Canada that has suffered the worst damage in this scandal. Thankfully it’s repairable.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation Releases Municipal Report Card

• Worst Grade: Oshawa, Kingston & Guelph
• Best Grade: St. Catherine's & Kitchener

TORONTO, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released a report card on municipal spending. The report card graded the 20 largest municipalities in Ontario based on an number of spending and taxation indicators, including spending on highly-paid staff and property taxes.

Try Testing Your Local Politician

Looking for a bit of fun? Try calling up your provincial or federal politician’s office and ask if you can pop by and go through their expenses.

Let’s Rebuild Responsibly

The following commentary was published in the June 27th edition of Calgary Sun With the floodwaters receding and families picking through the ruins of their homes, Alberta’s government has pledged at least $1 billion in disaster relief. It will come as a surprise to everyone if the final bill isn’t a lot higher than that.

Tax Cuts, Not Credits, the Fairest Way to Go

It’s bad enough that many municipalities are hiking property taxes this year, but the provincial government’s decision to kill a light industry tax credit is piling on B.C.’s job creators – and highlighting why such tax credits are bad policy in the first place.

So Much for the Wage Freeze

Remember Budget 2013?

More Evidence Hydro Can’t Ignore

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released an audit letter today showing serious concerns with expenses being racked up at the Tataskweyak Cree Nation related to Manitoba Hydro projects. The expenses are part of $224 million racked up by all northern reserves that Hydro has paid for, but refuses to release a single receipt.

Time to Link Provincial and Municipal Election Dates

Think of it as an electoral echo. While many British Columbians are just getting over the election hangover from May’s blockbuster BC Liberal comeback win, 13 municipalities are about to head into by-election mode.

WCB Has Some Explaining To Do

What would your boss say if you were responsible for a project at work and it went $13 million over budget?

All Quiet on the Western Front: Redford Capitulates on Equalization

The following commentary was published in the June 19th edition of Calgary Sun & Edmonton Sun In war, when one side is clearly beat, they will sometimes put up a token fight before surrendering: A small battle to show that you don’t enjoy being beaten and perhaps to encourage a degree respect from the victors.