Calgary: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released its 1998 Calgary Voter's Guide. All 51 candidates running for mayoralty and aldermanic positions were given a five-question "yes" or "no" survey which dealt with property taxes, privatization and contracting out, business subsidies and direct democracy.

31 candidates responded with either answers to the survey or their own written responses. 23 candidates said "yes" to the question "Do you promise not to increase property taxes until a full privatization and contracting-out study is completed by a public/private task force " That compares to only nine candidates in Edmonton who said 'yes' to a similar question.

"As a non-partisan organization, the Federation does not endorse any particular candidate," said CTF Alberta director Mark Milke. "But we do seek to provide citizens with the candidate's views on issues related to taxation, spending, and direct democracy."

Milke noted that the property tax question is particularly important this year because of the switch to MVA (MVA). "Some homeowners will already see a tax increase simply because their property values shoot up higher than the average across the city. Another tax increase could slip in through the back door if the switch to MVA is not made revenue neutral for the city as a whole," said Milke. "In addition, the 23 candidates who committed to a public/private privatization and contracting out study before personally allowing for a tax increase have shown that they want the city to examine the 'expense' side of the city ledger before going back to the public for more tax dollars."

23 candidates who said 'yes' to the Property Tax "Cap": (incumbent names in bold type)

Mayoralty candidates:

Floyd Dale Allen
Douglas Allan Service
Ron Wise

Aldermanic candidates:

Ward 1
Jason Seitanidis
Ward 4
David Chambers
Ed. R Peebles

Ward 5
Byron A. Francis
Ray Jones

Ward 6
Craig Burrows
James Istvanffy

Ward 7
Gus A.J.Barron

Ward 8
Luba Arko
Jonathan Lord

Ward 10
Kevin John Montgomery
Bastiaan Quist

Ward 12
Gareth Evans
Richard William McIver
Tim Rollans

Ward 13
Diane Colley-Urquhart
Patti Grier

Ward 14
Blaine Chomawka
Andrew Neufeld
Randy Millard Reynolds