To Get Back to Black, B.C. Must Go Back to Basics
CTF delivers pre-budget recommendations to B.C. Government

SURREY, BC: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today presented a plan to get British Columbia out of deficit to the Legislative Assembly’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

“Tough times demand tough choices, and even more importantly, tough leaders,” said Jordan Bateman, B.C.  director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “The loss of the HST, along with the global economic downturn, a lack of discipline in provincial spending and ballooning health care costs, has left B.C. taxpayers drowning in a sea of red ink.”

But savvy spending cuts can get B.C. back on track. “This deficit can be eliminated, and not by raising taxes—which is merely the result of a government too lazy or undisciplined to make the tough choices for the province,” said Bateman. “The provincial financial house has fallen into disrepair and must be restored using the resources already in place. This deficit is a spending problem, not a revenue problem.”

The CTF recommended a range of measures for inclusion in the 2012-13 provincial budget:

SPENDING REFORM
•    Cut budgeted spending by 1.1 per cent
•    Hold the line on public sector wages and benefits
•    Slow the increase in health care spending
•    Eliminate the Pacific Carbon Trust
•    Convert the B.C. Air Ambulance Service to a not-for-profit model
•    Eliminate the Innovative Clean Energy Fund
•    Introduce legislation mandating debt reduction
•    Fully disclose MLA expenses

TAXATION REFORM
•    Eliminate the Medical Services Premium tax
•    Do not renew the carbon tax legislation
•    Simplify the B.C. tax code
•    Rein in municipalities and regional districts

CROWN CORPORATION REFORM
•    Don’t back down on the B.C. Hydro review recommendations
•    Bring B.C. Ferries’ Board and CEO back to reality
•    Open ICBC to competition
•    Sell all B.C. Liquor Stores

“The first step is to cut spending and get B.C. out of deficit,” said Bateman. “Then the Province should cut taxes, leaving more money in taxpayers’ pockets to power the B.C. economy. Bold changes are desperately needed to restore B.C. to the economic powerhouse we long to be.”

Full PDF copies of the CTF’s 2012-13 budget submission can be found below.