Canadian Taxpayers Federation

CTF: Reduce Spending, Reform Health Care

REGINA: This morning, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) presented its annual pre-budget submission in a meeting with Finance Minster, Hon. Rod Gantefoer. The report, “Sailing Through Rough Waters,” calls for a continued reduction in school taxes, restraining spending and facilitating a greater role for the private sector in health care.

Investigate Dam Negotiation Costs

That of course is the tab picked up by Manitoba Hydro for Aboriginal bands’ legal, consulting and “community costs” for the Wuskwatim, Keeyask and Conawapa dams.

Property Tax Controversy

The Saskatchewan government is contemplating a delay in fulfilling two changes promised in last year's budget, both of which will impact property taxes. One, the promise to shift education funding away from property taxes and onto provincial coffers, the second, to increase municipal revenue sharing. The former should be implemented immediately; the latter should be put on hold.

Roadblock to Copenhagen

Last week, radical global warming activists held an eight hour sit-in at federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice's Calgary constituency office. Another group of radicals camped out at the office of Conservative Minister Rona Ambrose.

Canada’s Deficit Action Plan: Zero in Three

TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has released a detailed plan to balance the federal budget. It is entitled Canada’s Deficit Action Plan: Zero in Three. CTF Federal Director, Kevin Gaudet, will be meeting with federal Finance Minister Flaherty as part of federal pre-budget consultation when he will present the plan to the Minister.

The Climategate Cover-up

The B.C. government unleashed a tax and spend program because of data showing we are heading down the road to global warming Armageddon. But a break-in in the UK uncovered emails that revealed the data may have been doctored and the doctors involved tried to cover it up.

1% budget cut isn’t going to cut it

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) reacted today to the Alberta government’s release of their 2nd quarter fiscal update.

“Beggar’s Checklist”: A New Tool for Provincial and Federal Politicians

WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) provided today a new tool for provincial and federal politicians to use when approached by cap-in-hand municipal politicians – “The Beggar’s Checklist.” The checklist includes ten initiatives that municipalities should have to complete prior to approaching another level of government for more funding or taxing powers.

A Tale of Two Domed Cities

Lee Harding, CTF Saskatchewan Director Just because Fargo built a dome, should Regina build one too? Supporters of a domed stadium and authors of the province’s stadium concept review say “yes”. However, taxpayers should think twice about the expensive proposition.

Lucrative Library Reform

Two thumbs up to the City of Winnipeg’s administration for looking at how it can both reduce the cost of our city’s public library system and improve services. While the city has identified one major initiative – automating select internal services - there are several others worth exploring.

Federal Debt Climbs Past Half Trillion

OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held a press conference on Parliament Hill today to raise the alarm that the federal debt will climb past a half trillion dollars - $500,000,000,000.00 on Sunday, November 22nd, at 10:56:53 p.m. The size and speed of growth of the federal debt may be seen at [url=http://www.debtclock.ca]http://www.debtclock.ca[/url].

Corporate Welfare Name Change?

REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the provincial government to scrap plans to implement its new corporate welfare program, Innovation Saskatchewan. The program would allocate $25 million each year towards Saskatchewan companies making commercial enterprises from new technologies.

Groups call on Premier to bring BC Ferries back under FOI act

VANCOUVER: The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA), the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) sent a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell today calling for the return of BC Ferries to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Native Tax Exemptions Hurting Small Business

REGINA : The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the provincial government to eliminate race-based tax exemptions, in light of new figures obtained through Freedom of Information.

Municipal high rollers feed while communities die

Although some environmentalists might think it's a good idea that industry in the province shut down, mill employees and the families they support might think otherwise. Pulp and paper mills in B.C. are battling tax-gouging municipalities to stay alive.

Tax exemptions not from treaties

By Lee Harding, CTF Sask Director As the province marks one year of treaty education in schools, children and adults alike must reconsider not only what was, but what was not, in those treaties.

City of Calgary makes right Expo decision

EDMONTON : The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) applauded the City of Calgary today for pulling out of the race to host Expo 2017.

Free Vote Needed to End Wasteful Long-Gun Registry

By Kevin Gaudet, Federal Director One would think scrapping an extremely wasteful program like the gun registry would be easy. Of course, as it turns out, things don’t work that way in Ottawa. What started out as one piece of legislation that would end the registry, grew to three and is now back to one. In early November a vote is expected in Parliament on MP Candice Hoeppner’s Private Member’s Bill C-391, which would end the wasteful long-gun registry. As has been the tradition with Private Members’ Bills, all MPs should be allowed to vote freely on this bill.

Too Many Holes in BiPole 3 Plan

Pick up the phone or pull out your cheque book – it’s your choice. Unless enough Manitobans urge the provincial government to reconsider its BiPole 3 decision, we’re going to pay dearly for the mistake for decades to come.

CTF Releases Results of Municipal Candidate Survey

REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released results of a six question municipal candidate survey conducted in advance of the October 28 civic election in Regina. Unfortunately, virtually all incumbents hid behind an oath of office to avoid answering the CTF’s questions.