Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held a press conference today to update its campaign to hold the Liberal government accountable for its broken promises.

"Since being elected just one year ago, Dalton McGuinty has broken almost all his major election promises, including his promise not to raise taxes or run deficits," said CTF Ontario Director Tasha Kheiriddin. "Ontario taxpayers are sick and tired of his excuses. They want their voice to be heard at Queen's Park, and the CTF will continue to fight on their behalf."

The CTF's ongoing campaign comprises three elements: the CTF Taxpayer Protection Pledge petition, the If Life Were Like That- internet advertisement, and the CTF lawsuit against Premier McGuinty and Finance Minister Greg Sorbara.


CTF Taxpayer Protection Pledge Petition


To date, the CTF has collected 209,045 signatures on its Taxpayer Pledge petition, which calls on Premier McGuinty to repeal those taxes, including the onerous health tax, enacted without referendum, and not impose them again without consultation. These signatures were delivered today to the premier's office at Queen's Park.

"We hope that the sheer volume - almost 42,000 pages - of signatures impresses on this government just how many people are fed up with their broken promises and higher taxes. When this many people are taking it upon themselves to collect signatures, and go on the web and add their names, the government should sit up and listen," said Kheiriddin.


First Job - If Life Were Like That-Internet Advertisement


Taxpayer outrage over the Liberal's May 18 budget has also taken some very creative forms. One of these is an internet advertisement which premiered today on the CTF website.

Entitled, "First Job - (If Life Were Like That-)", the advertisement is a tongue-in-cheek take on Mr. McGuinty's campaign to become premier. It was produced independently by [email protected] who donated it to the CTF for broadcast over the web.

"This ad shows just how far ordinary taxpayers will go to express their disappointment with Premier McGuinty's government," remarked Kheiriddin. "It captures the sense of frustration people are feeling in this province - albeit in a humorous way."


CTF Lawsuit

On May 31, 2004 the CTF filed suit against Premier Dalton McGuinty and Finance Minister Greg Sorbara. The case was originally to be heard June 21, but at the request of counsel for Messrs. McGuinty and Sorbara, a postponement was made to November 15. A full day has been reserved to hear the merits of the case.

"The CTF is committed to fighting for taxpayers against a government that is clearly taking them for granted. All these actions - the petition, the advertisement and the lawsuit - would not be necessary if Premier McGuinty had only kept his word to the people of Ontario," concluded Kheiriddin. "Unfortunately he hasn't changed his tune over the summer. The health tax is still with us, and runaway spending continues unabated. And so, the fight continues."

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Media contact: Ontario director Tasha Kheiriddin at 416-203-0030 / 416-725-0501.