Canadian Taxpayers Federation

MLAs Exit with Millions in Pensions

With just ten months until the next provincial election, the lifeboats are starting to fill up as MLAs of both political persuasions look to leave the ship of state. That means one thing: millions of dollars in pension payouts, primarily funded by taxpayers.

Oda to Receive $701K Pension Payout

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) estimates that outgoing International Development Minister Bev Oda’s annual Parliamentary pension will instantly start at $52,183, adding up to $701,464 by the time she reaches the age of 80.

CTF Slams $23 million Payday for the MP Pension Plan

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is reminding Canadians that Canada’s Members of Parliament will celebrate another big financial win June 30, with the quarterly deposit of another $23 million taxpayer dollars into the Parliamentary pension plan.

Taxpayers Brace For Another Carbon Tax Hike

• CTF estimates British Columbians will pay $1.8 billion in taxes at the gas pump this year
• CTF will recommend killing the carbon tax during the provincial government review

VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is reminding drivers to fill their gas tanks before July 1st as the provincial government prepares to increase its carbon tax again.

How Was $224 Million Spent on Dam Negotiations?

• Costs for negotiating Keeyask, Wuskwatim, Conawapa & Bipole III now hit $224 million - up from $160 million

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released Freedom of Information documents today showing the cost of negotiating dams in northern Manitoba has now skyrocketed to $220 million ($223.6 million including Bipole III); up from $160 million in 2009.

Auditor General’s Audit of Parliament Only Scratches the Surface

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) said today’s Auditor General’s report into the administration of the House of Commons and the Senate failed to give Canadian taxpayers the information they’ve been demanding about the spending habits of Canada’s MP’s and Senators.

Enough is Enough

The amount of money you have for groceries, your mortgage payment and putting clothes on your kids is under attack. Again.

TransLink TVs Take Taxpayers for Half a Million Bucks

• FOI documents reveal TransLink spent $523,444 on 13 TVs at five SkyTrain locations in 2009

VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has obtained documents using the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) showing TransLink paid $523,444 to put 13 TV screens at five SkyTrain stations in 2009 ($40,265 per TV).

EI Reform Critics, Harper Government Both Turn Their Backs on Working Canadians

Anybody who gets a paycheque in Canada has looked at the top and bottom lines once or twice, comparing the money they earn to the money they get to keep after the government is done with them. After a while, they stop looking, because it’s just too painful. It’s a shame: if Canadians kept looking at their cheque stubs, they would soon demand an end to Canada’s rotten-to-the-core Employment Insurance (EI) program.

Local Watchdogs Needed Too

As the provincial government reduced school tax bills across the province over the past few years, it seems someone has been stealing part of those savings from taxpayers – municipal governments.

CTF to MLAs: Reject Gold-Plated Pension

• Regular Albertans will have to have over $822,000 in savings to match the pension of a three-term backbench MLA

EDMONTON, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Alberta’s 87 MLAs to reject Justice Major’s proposed gold-plated, defined-benefit pension plan, in favour of formalizing the current, dollar-for-dollar, matching MLA pension plan.

Why “Ticketgate” Matters

Whether you agree or disagree with politicians receiving “free” Jets tickets courtesy of government crown corporations and businesses, “ticketgate” is more than free tickets; it’s about accountability.

New EI rules strike a blow for working Canadian taxpayers against habitual pogey collectors

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) applauded new regulations proposed today for Employment Insurance eligibility.

Outrageous B.C. Gas Taxes Keep Economy in Neutral

If the federal and B.C. governments are as hungry to spark job creation as their expensive TV commercials and overseas trips make it appear, they should cut the taxes on gas.

CTF releases new data on gas taxes, tax-on-tax

• Families pay $82 a year in “tax-on-tax,” $1.7 billion nationally

OTTAWA, ON: On its 14th annual Gas Tax Honesty Day, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released new data on gas taxes with several major findings.

CTF releases new data on gas taxes, tax-on-tax

Families pay $82 a year in “tax-on-tax,” $1.7 billion nationally OTTAWA, ON: On its 14th annual Gas Tax Honesty Day, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released new data on gas taxes with several major findings.

Unelected Metro Vancouver Should Get Back to Basics

What was once a simple sewer, water and garbage disposal utility has become a bureaucratic, democratically-unaccountable spending machine. It’s time to move the Metro Vancouver Regional District back to basics.

CTF Welcomes Private-Public Pay Debate

• B.C. Liberals to consider policies around public-private wage inequity

VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) applauded Premier Christy Clark today for announcing that private-public pay equity will be up for debate at this fall's B.C. Liberal convention.

Tada! MLCC Jets Ticket List Released

WINNIPEG, MB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released a freedom of information response today with details on the disbursement of Winnipeg Jets tickets by the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC.) During a debate yesterday in the Legislature, the Minister responsible for the MLCC indicated staff was still busy pulling the details together.

Unplug the MP Pension Money Machine

If you could put a loonie into a machine and get $23.30 out every time, would you ever stop?