Canadian Taxpayers Federation

CTF Releases Results of Saskatoon 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 Saskatoon. The questions concerned issues related to taxation powers and levels, capital projects with potentially high expenses, and recycling.

Too Many Holes in Bipole 3 Plan

WINNIPEG: A coalition of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s (CTF) Colin Craig, former United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee President Jim Collinson, Electrical Engineering Specialist John Roschuk and University of Manitoba Professor Emeritus Jim Graham released today an analysis on the recently proposed BiPole 3 routes. The coalition called the proposed routes “extremely costly and unnecessary.”

Another prescription for a sick health system

The test results are in and the patient is sick. Unfortunately for Saskatchewan taxpayers, the patient is Saskatchewan’s medical system. In the words of Tony Dagnone, the man who headed the province’s Patient First Review, the system is good but not good enough.

Minister hears property taxpayers’ woes

Families and businesses are concerned about the rising property tax grab and rightly so. While federal and provincial tax burdens have fallen, municipal tax burdens head skyward. This is because municipalities first decide how much they are going to spend, then calculate what the property tax bill needs to be to pay for that spending. This backwards system puts taxpayers at the mercy of local councils every year.

AG and Premier’s offices deny they have any documents on controversial Election Act provisions

VANCOUVER: – Is it possible that Attorney General Wally Oppal and Premier Gordon Campbell did not have any information related to one of the most repressive sections in the BC Election Act even though they were amending it?

It’s time to put a stop to TransLink’s tax grab

(This article first appeared in the Vancouver Sun, March 24, 2009.) TransLink, the government organization that runs Metro Vancouver's public transit system and roads, has once again displayed its insatiable appetite for other people's money. When TransLink's CEO Tom Prendergast proposed a litany of possible tax increases, overtaxed Lower Mainland residents were predictably outraged. It's time to drive the beast back into its lair and give nimbler competitors a chance to do what TransLink seems unable to do: move people from point A to B at a cost people are willing to pay.

Unions their own worst enemy

- Gwyn Morgan, Director, Manning Centre for Building Democracy As the world's best junior hockey players were taking on the reigning champions in Canada's capital, a far less noble battle is taking place in the streets of Ottawa.

CTF: School Taxes Must Drop

REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) calls for a reduction in school taxes in its annual pre-budget submission to the province of Saskatchewan.

What a difference six months make

“The only absolute for me is to run balanced budgets and budget conservatively” – Ed Stelmach, November 2006.

2009 Income Tax Changes

So how will income tax changes affect you this year? Here’s a low down of changes that took effect January 1, 2009.

Who’s on First?

Few people today realize that income tax was introduced in Canada in 1917 as a temporary war measure. The finance minister at the time, Sir Thomas White, called the bill the War Tax Upon Income Bill, reflecting the hope that this bill would be repealed once the war was over. Almost 100 years later, Canadians still pay income tax.

Meagre Tax Savings in ’09, but Tax-Free Savings Welcomed

Edmonton: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released projected income and payroll tax changes kicking in on January 1st, 2009.

Blinded by the Light

How many dollars does it take to screw-in a light bulb? According to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, since 2006, SaskPower has spent $2.3-million on campaigns to promote the use of compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).

Gift Gate

When Manitoba hosted the Western Premiers Conference in 2006, visiting politicians were given so many gifts, they had to be given bags to carry them all home. Although details are still coming forward, the event is shaping up to be yet another example of government extravagance and waste.

Domed Stadium $140 million and counting…

REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is urging the City of Regina and the provincial government to show caution and consult widely regarding any renovation or replacement of Mosaic Stadium.

Deficit Brinkmanship

The decision by Governor General Michaëlle Jean to suspend the House of Commons until January 26th may be the smartest decision to come out of Ottawa since the Senators picked up Dany Heatley.

Coalitions are fine, but they must have a mandate

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has sent an urgent call to action to its 60,000 supporters encouraging them to contact the Governor General’s office to demand she call an election if the current government is defeated next Monday.

Start saving or start paying

While it’s been known for many years that the province could not continue to spend royalty revenues to fund their day-to-day operations without eventually having to enforce deep spending cuts or massive tax hikes, we didn’t know how much or how soon.

Where is the Long-Term Vision?

The provincial government’s recent Throne Speech and economic update deserve both beefs and bouquets. Let’s start with the good news.

Longer doesn’t mean better

When an election is called, do you break into cold sweats? Have trouble eating? Just can’t seem to get out of bed on election day? No? Didn’t think so. Apparently you are not suffering from what some people refer to as “voter fatigue.”