Kevin Gaudet

Artists Versus Arteaucrats

Prominent arts lobbyists have been making great efforts to paint the picture of a Conservative government having 'gutted the arts'. Many sing from the same plaintive song-sheet suggesting that the Canadian artistic community is suffering and starved for funds. Like many interest groups seeking more money, they play the same broken record trying to evoke images of starving artists and a heartless government. The facts, however, paint a different picture.

‘Fair Deal’ for Ontario Means ‘Raw Deal’ for Taxpayers

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has tried to inject himself into the federal election by demanding a so-called 'fair deal for Ontario' from all federal party leaders - 'raw deal' is more like it. These demands are merely a smoke-screen for self-imposed troubles in Ontario. They are nothing more than a bald-faced revenue grab.

CTF Files Complaint Against MP Minna Over $25,000 Pamphlet

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has filed a complaint with Elections Canada against Maria Minna, MP for Beaches-East York over a pamphlet issued in her riding during the election writ period that apparently used Parliamentary resources costing taxpayers $25,000. CTF Ontario Director, Kevin Gaudet, said "the pamphlet amounts to election advertising and its cost should not be borne by the taxpayers of Canada".

Cracking the Books: A Lesson on Government Spending

At the same time as kids are preparing to open their school books, the government of Ontario just closed its books for the last fiscal year 2007-2008. A review of the these books - the Public Accounts of Ontario - should worry taxpayers, as they reveal the McGuinty government has much to learn about managing public money. They subscribe to the school of 'if you send it, we will spend it'. Instead, a better lesson plan they should follow should be 'a penny saved is a penny earned'. If the government would get its spending under control it would have ample room for tax relief and debt reduction.

Ontario’s Carbon Policy Swamp

Following the trail of government efforts to mitigate so-called 'climate change' is like chasing a will-o-the-wisp. In both cases the pursuit of elusive greenhouse gases leads one to get lost in the swampy bog. Ontario is tying to reduce emissions with a myriad of tangled and conflicting programs and taxes: a federal carbon tax; the Western Climate Initiative (including a carbon trading program); and a low carbon fuel standard are only the top of the long list. These programs will do little to curb greenhouse gas emissions, do much to harm the economy - and all play on eco-guilt by appearing to be 'green'.

‘Green Shift’ Impact Analysis For Ontario Power Plants

Costs of $1.5 billion per year for 111 power plants 'Tax cuts of $811 million shared by 365,649 Ontario businesses

Kick Out Ontario’s Health Tax Crutch

When is a review not a review and when is a tax not a tax? Apparently, when it involves the so-called review of the so-called Ontario Health Care Premium. Despite Premier McGuinty and Finance Minister Duncan having stated that "the tax is here to stay," the government is, nevertheless, required by law to "review" it anyway. With an ailing economy, one would hope common sense might change their minds so they use the review as an opportunity to act on much needed tax relief.

Pan Am Games Bid - Gold Medal for Waste

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today expressed its disappointment that taxpayers may pay up to $1.8 billion for the 2015 Pan Am Games. CTF Ontario Director Kevin Gaudet said, "Premier McGuinty, Finance Minister Flaherty, and Mayor Miller deserve gold medals for waste with this decision. Funding a sporting event when the economy is in trouble and taxes are too high just feeds government over-spending."

Eliminate Health Tax: Crutch for Higher Spending Health Tax Revenue up 65% in five years

TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called on the McGuinty government to eliminate the health tax. The CTF was presenting to the Standing Committee on Finance who are undertaking their mandatory review of the health tax. CTF Ontario Director Kevin Gaudet said, "The health tax is merely a crutch propping up the government's high spending habits. It should be eliminated."

NDP Leadership: Accountability Starts at Home

Ontario NDP supporters have a right to know who is funding each candidate's leadership campaign prior to casting a ballot for them at their upcoming leadership convention. Current rules and guidelines from Elections Ontario don't guarantee that will occur, but it should. Given this failing, candidates themselves should step up and publicly disclose the information early enough for voters to properly consider the information. Transparency breeds accountability, as the NDP often argues.

Ontario Doctors Selling Health Insurance

Further evidence of the 'free' public health care myth arrived in the mail box with a letter from a family doctor listing the fees for his services and the option to purchase an insurance plan for what he calls 'the most common uninsured services'. He is selling at competitive rates no less!

Electronics Tax Will Electrocutes Ontario Wallets

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today expressed disappointment over the announcement of a new electronics tax to take effect in Ontario. CTF Ontario Director, Kevin Gaudet, said, "this new tax will be a shock to the wallets of unsuspecting consumers when prices go up next Spring."

It’s The Economy, Stupid

Where's James Carville when you need him? The 'Ragin' Cajun' who played a key part in Bill Clinton's campaigns for President gave Clinton a mindful poke in the ribs when he started to drift off-course and lose sight of what was important to voters.

Cap-And-Trade: A Broken Tax Promise

Ontario and Quebec businesses and consumers are already feeling the pain from rising fuel and energy prices. Yet, Premiers Charest and McGuinty want to make things worse by unleashing a new variation on a carbon tax through a carbon trading emission scheme called cap-and-trade.

Feds and Province Must Review All Corporate Welfare Grants and Loans

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to the GM announcement of layoffs at its Oshawa plant calling on the Ontario provincial and federal government to conduct thorough public reviews of corporate grants, loans and other financial assistance programs.

New Electronics Tax Won’t Help Recycling

The McGuinty government has been trying to sneak through another new tax under the noses of unsuspecting Ontario consumers. The government ordered Waste Diversion Ontario to create a plan to deal with electronics waste starting with computers, printers, monitors and fax machines. The plan creates a new unelected and unaccountable organization - Ontario Electronic Stewardship - to set the new tax rates to be imposed on manufacturers and assemblers. When the companies mark up the tax and pass it along starting early in 2009, consumers will be on the hook for over $104 million in new costs for a tax that will do little to increase recycling.

CTF Calls on McGuinty Government to Come Clean on Carbon Taxes

TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today is calling on the McGuinty government to clarify its position on imposing new carbon taxes in Ontario. It is widely reported that Premier McGuinty and Ontario Environment Minister, John Gerretsen favour a cap-and-trade system as a 'first choice'. CTF Ontario, Kevin Gaudet, said, "cap-and-trade is a carbon tax, just under another name. When and how does he plan to unleash this new tax on Ontarions? What happened to his campaign promise not to impose new taxes?"

Neither Dalton Nor David McGuinty Should Push Another Carbon Tax

With gas prices soaring and Stephane Dion suggesting a new federal carbon tax, it is time for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to make it clear where he stands on this issue. The last thing Ontario needs is another tax. Especially one that follows the new fad of protecting 'Mother Earth' when, in practice, carbon taxes do anything but.

Electronics Recycling Tax Grab Between $105 and $210 million Per Year

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released its submission to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, opposing the planned program for e-waste recycling. CTF Ontario Director, Kevin Gaudet said "this program is a hidden tax grab that breaks Mr. McGuinty's promise not to raise taxes".

Just Water, Tires and Cell Phones Under the Bridge

Fibber McGuinty is at it again. The Premier already has plans to break his recycled campaign promise not to raise taxes.