Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Just say NO to the bonds

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is encouraging Albertans to boycott the sale of Alberta Capital Bonds.

Throne Speech Shows no Commitment to Spending Cuts

• Hints of a spending freeze -- no reduction in the burden of government
• Balancing budget will depend on health care reform
• Renewed commitment to corporate welfare
• Municipal property tax grab to end

Fight City Hall and Win

Taxpayers are starting to do more than just raise their eyebrows at governments' debt-fuelled spending sprees. The specter of ever-rising property taxes has motivated citizens at the municipal level to band together to let government know its account is overdrawn. A handful of model citizens in British Columbia have shown that when people get involved, skyrocketing debt can be avoided and property taxes can be controlled.

GST Hike Like Another Tiger Woods Girlfriend: Bad Idea

Kudos to Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy for having let the tax-hike genie out the bottle. Recently, he went on national TV and speculated that Canadians would accept a hike in the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Mr. Kennedy deserves credit for putting this policy proposal in the window. It is only through such open and honest debate that such a poor idea can be thoroughly and resoundingly debunked and rejected.

Senate Appointments: Stick a Fork in the House of Pork

TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to the appointment of five new senators by calling for Senate reform. CTF Federal Director, Kevin Gaudet, said “Now, with control of the Senate, this is the time for the Prime Minister to stick a fork in the House of Pork. It is time to make senators elected and accountable.”

Unshackling Bureaucratic Potential

The Wall government recently disclosed that they have asked every department to cut their budgets by 10 per cent in order to balance the budget this year. That’s a good start to reaching an important target, but implementing something called “managed competition” could help them achieve the same goal.

Eliminate the Property Transfer Tax

Taxpayers in British Columbia are outraged about the harmonized sales tax (HST), and rightly so. It will add a new tax to many items previously exempt from the provincial sales tax (PST), such as restaurant meals and new homes. The HST does, however, have some theoretical benefits. It simplifies the tax system and makes the province a more competitive place for business investment.

CTF releases 2010-11 Alberta pre-budget recommendations

EDMONTON: In its 2010-11 pre-budget submission to the Alberta government, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the provincial government to take serious action now rather than dither and promise balanced budgets in the future.

Harper Should Make Senate Reform a Confidence Vote

Few politicians are thought to have Senate reform in their blood like Prime Minister Harper. Having campaigned for it beginning in the late 1980s and winning two general elections with it as a significant part of his platform, it is time for the Prime Minister to invest the political capital necessary to reform Canada’s upper house of Parliament.

Sick Time Fire to Put Out

Allowing Fire Paramedic Employees to store up unused sick days and cash out 11 months worth has become too costly for taxpayers

Boycott the Bonds

In September 2009, the Alberta government started to do something it hasn’t done in many, many years – borrow money. Over the past few months the money has been borrowed through public bond offerings.

HST on Parking Tax - Hosed Again

People have lots reasons to be upset about the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). For starters, it means the price of many goods and services will be 7 per cent higher. Of course, the government assures us this will only be at first.

Reject the Green Job Myth

VANCOUVER: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) submitted its recommendations to the four Green Energy Advisory Task Forces today, calling for the rejection of green corporate welfare and a renewal of the past commitment to competitive electricity rates.

2009 taxes unplugged

There were lots of stories in the news in 2009 about government spending and taxation, but of all the stories, none has more serious long-term consequences than the return to deficit spending. The B.C. government has a spending addiction and is supporting its habit by a massive increase in the provincial debt. If spending is not brought under control, taxpayers will be left with a legacy of higher taxes.

Five-Point Deficit Action Plan

WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded to the release of the province's quarterly update today by calling for the implementation of a five-point deficit action plan.

Band Chief and Council Pay Higher Than Prime Minister

WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) called for improved transparency today after releasing documents provided to the CTF showing the Chief and Council of the Peguis Reserve (7,200 people) in northern Manitoba have been making more than the Prime Minister of Canada.

Property Tax Increase? Think Again

Is your municipality thinking about a property tax increase this year? Chances are they don’t have to. A new report by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation outlines ten initiatives that municipalities should pursue before taking more money from your pocket.

Lots of Taxpayer Abuse in 2009

Most disappointingly, the Harper government, encouraged (some say forced) by both the NDP and Liberals, broke their three month old election promise to run a balanced budget and are on pace to run a $56 billion deficit - the largest deficit in Canada’s history.

Green job moss covers black fungus

The B.C. government has created a Green Energy Advisory Task Force to review BC Hydro regulations and to look for ways to expand 'green' power projects to create jobs and keep electricity rates competitive.

MLA Pension Buyback a Blow to Taxpayers’ Purse

VANCOUVER: In 2007 the Campbell government re-instated gold-plated pensions for MLAs – the first government in Canada to do so. But they went one step further and gave current and former MLAs the opportunity to “buy back” gold-plated pension benefits.