OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held its third annual Ted Weatherill (the Teddies) awards ceremony at a black-tie news conference on Parliament Hill this morning. CTF Federal Director, Walter Robinson acted as Master of Ceremonies.

The Teddies are named after Ted Weatherill, a former senior public servant who was terminated in 1999 for "expenses incurred by him-incompatible with his position as Chairman of the Canada Labour Relations Board," according to the Office of the Minister of Labour.

The Teddies are awarded annually to a public office holder, civil servant, department or agency, that most exemplifies government waste, overspending, over-taxation, excessive regulation, lack of accountability, or any combination of the five.

"While Canadians enjoy watching the Oscar or the Grammy awards, the Teddies are not a pleasant experience for taxpayers," stated Robinson. "Even in a surplus environment nationally and in the majority of our provinces, this year's nominees and winners exhibited the requisite qualities of waste, mismanagement and contempt for the fruits of hard working taxpayers."

"Sadly and once again, a good year for the Teddies means it was a bad year for taxpayers," added Robinson. "On the fiscal side, each tax dollar wasted represents a lost opportunity for further tax relief or debt reduction. And on the expenditure side, each wasted dollar represents money that could have been better allocated."

Federal Nominees:

Best Collaboration on an R-Rated Film: Health Canada and Human Resources Development Canada for their combined support of a youth conference held at Georgian College in Barrie in February that included a session on safe sado-masochistic sex.


Best Waste of Money in a Documentary: The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for its contribution of $50,000 towards a three-year study of the history of erotic entertainment in Vancouver from 1945 to 1980.


Best Check and Imbalance in Government Cheques: Public Works and Government Services (PWGSC) for spending over $680,000 for a new federal cheque design that included a one-time commemorative Y2K symbol.


Best Sound Effects in a Sequel (Pig Squealing): All but three current Canadian Alliance MPs elected in 1993 that opted backed into the MP pension plan.


Best Film Adaptation of a Keystone Cops Routine: Health Canada for continuing to fund the Sagkeeng First Nations Addiction Treatment Centre north of Winnipeg even after anonymous tip that 30 staff members took a Caribbean cruise at taxpayer expense. Also for ignoring a 1997 audit showing that staff members used tax dollars to take trips to Australia, Las Vegas and Hawaii. '

Federal Award Winner:

"And the federal Teddy goes to - hands down, no contest - the majority of Canadian Alliance MPs from the class of 1993 for abandoning their once laudable and principled stand against the gold-plated MP pension plan and opting back in quicker than an Olympic sprinter on steroids," said Robinson as he unveiled the first 2001 Teddy, a beautiful golden sow.



Provincial/Municipal Nominees:

Best Screenplay for Arrogance and a Total Disconnect with Taxpayers: The Mike Harris government in Ontario found itself on the Titanic for even daring to contemplate a 42.2% pay raise for MPPs last November after an earlier report recommending a 32.6% pay hike was roundly criticized.


Best Example of Future Cinematography: The City of Ottawa and the Ontario Arts Council jointly funded a 10-week program to give union members better skills for use on the picket line. A local theatre professional and the Ottawa Labour Council are using their $11,000 ($9,000 from the Arts Council, $2,000 from the City of Ottawa) to develop "Action Through Theatre", a program to train union members to organize skits, build puppet and clown characters so they can communicate better and get more publicity. All together now - hey hey, ho ho, this stupid spending has got to go!


Best Use of Slot Machine Profits to Accumulate Frequent Flyer Points: According to the Provincial Auditor, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) misspent over $1.7 million including $360,000 in unauthorized credit card and debit advances in one year to its former CEO. First-class flights (even on the Concorde) for SIGA board members, families, and friends included far-flung destinations such as Australia, Barcelona, Spain, London, Switzerland, and Mexico City.


Most Creative Use of Food for Political Expression: The Quebec government gave a grant of $112,440 to "a symposium of comic activists and self-styled pastry terrorists" which ran from April 1st to April 9th last year.


Outstanding Special Effects in a Crash Scene (Driving a Bus the Wrong Way in Traffic): TransLink, the agency responsible for road and transit construction in greater Vancouver, tried to impose a $100 million, $75 per vehicle property tax, on all greater Vancouver motorists. CTF opposition to this "wrong way, do not enter" scheme included an 18,000 signature petition and simple yet effective alternatives to finance needed road and infrastructure improvements. The provincial government capitulated and eliminated the tax.

Provincial Award Winner:

"And the provincial/municipal Teddy goes to SIGA and its former CEO for squandering $1.7 million of public money. It seems Mr. Lerat and some of his colleagues brought a whole new meaning to winning a casino jackpot," added Robinson.



Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

A Lifetime Achievement Teddy was bestowed in-absentia to former British Columbia Premier Glen Clark for his "leadership" role in helping to run B.C.'s economy into the ground over the past decade.

"As Finance Minister, Mr. Clark raised income taxes, surtaxes, user fees, crown corporation fees, property taxes, automobile taxes, liquor taxes, cigarette taxes, estate taxes, medicare taxes, corporate capital taxes, general business taxes, small business taxes, resource taxes, sales taxes and fuel taxes by a whopping $1.5 billion over two budgets," noted Robinson as he gasped for air.

"Mr. Clark managed to add at least $6 billion to the provincial debt while he was the Finance Minister, and by the time he left the Office of Premier, had been part of a government that doubled the BC debt from $17 billion to almost $34 billion," added Robinson.

"Frankly, I don't have the time or the strong stomach needed to detail all of Mr. Clark's boondoggle legacy. Unfortunately, the citizens of BC will suffer for years to come because of Mr. Clark's abhorrent stewardship of British Columbia's fiscal and economic affairs. His $1.7 million pension may well be a bargain for BC Taxpayers to keep him from the reigns of power," concluded Robinson.