Canadian Taxpayers Federation

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.

Saskatchewan Attracting Manitobans in Record Numbers

In late May a man called into a Brandon, Manitoba radio station and described how he regularly saw lots of Manitoba license plates in parking lots in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Attracting Manitobans in Droves

In late May a man called into a Brandon, Manitoba radio station and described how he regularly saw lots of Manitoba license plates in parking lots in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

Wall Needs To Lead On Equalization

Canadians believe in the old adage “give a hand-up, not a hand-out.”

CTF Disgusted With Gutting of Bill C-461

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) expressed disgust with the federal government’s gutting of MP Brent Rathgeber’s Bill C-461 yesterday during a meeting of the House of Commons committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics.

CTF Challenges Premiers Wynne, Clark, Wall and Redford to Saddle Up and Run the Equalization Gang Ou

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) issued open letters today to the premiers of Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, urging them to stand up for their provinces in the current round of Equalization negotiations as the existing agreement approaches an end in 2014.

If He’s Worried, You Should Be Too

For 12 years Graham Lane was the NDP government’s top person when it came to watching over Manitoba Hydro rates.

CTF Urges Harper Government to Sponsor Pension Cancellation for Crooked Politicians Bill and Pass it

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) applauded the introduction today of a Private Members Bill by MP John Williamson, (Conservative – New Brunswick Southwest). The bill, entitled The Protecting Taxpayers and Revoking Pensions of Convicted Politicians Act, would take away the Parliamentary pension from any MP or senator convicted of a serious crime, including stealing from taxpayers.

Senate Expense Scandal: Accountability Shouldn’t Be Just an Act

Senator Mike Duffy certainly isn’t the first Ottawa politician to get some unwanted scrutiny from RCMP investigators. But unless politicians of all political stripes get serious about accountability soon, it’s certain that Duffy won’t be the last either.

Stop Metrolinx Dead in its Tracks

Conveniently released just one week after the province’s $11.9 billion deficit budget was supported, Ontario taxpayers received the grim news that this government will in fact hike taxes in Ontario.

Government Is Too Expensive

What happens if you can’t afford the government?

Ethics Committee Should Be Ethical and Not Gut C-461

OTTAWA, ON: Given the current scandals in the Senate relating to ethics and accountability, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is urging MPs on the Commons Ethics Committee to reject pressure from the Harper government to gut a private member’s bill that would mandate salary disclosure for federal employees and political appointees.

Senate Scandal Requires Accountability Act 2.0

• Make online expense reporting mandatory for Senators and MPs and follow Alberta’s example
• Eliminate pension entitlements for Senators and MPs convicted of stealing from taxpayers with fraudulent expense claims

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to introduce an Accountability Act 2.0, to put an end to expense fraud by Senators and restore the confidence of Canadians in Parliament.

CTF Calls for end to the $1.6 Billion Gas Tax-on-Tax

• $80 million in tax-on-tax collected from Albertans this year
• Alberta families pay $787 in gas taxes every year

CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held its 15th annual Gas Tax Honesty Day today as it called on the federal government to end the practice of charging tax-on-tax for gasoline and diesel.