EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today responded to Premier Klein's announcement of a cabinet increased from 20 to 24 members. Alberta now has the largest cabinet in Western Canada - even larger than British Columbia's NDP cabinet of 21, and larger than Manitoba's 16 and Saskatchewan's 18 Ministers.

"Increasing the size of cabinet is symbolic of increasing the size of government. It sends the wrong signal," said CTF Alberta director John Carpay. "Albertans want to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and this won't happen if government grows. In survey after survey, Albertans have indicated they prefer tax cuts over bigger government," added Carpay.

"There will be no debt free future for Alberta unless government controls its spending. This enlarged cabinet will have more voices to advocate for more spending," continued Carpay.

"Increased cabinet representation for Edmonton is appropriate, but this can be done without increasing the size of cabinet."

"The large size of the Government Caucus (74 M.L.A.s) does not justify a larger cabinet. Instead, M.L.A.s should be given a greater role, with less power concentrated in the hands of cabinet."