• CTF Supports Liberal Proposals to End Taxpayer Funded Partisan Advertising, A Referendum on Voting Reform, Fixed Terms of Government, and the Emancipation of MPPs at Queen's Park
   
• CTF Says Spirit of Democratic Charter Acknowledges Current Dysfunction in our Electoral System - Perpetuated by ALL Political Parties
   
• CTF Urges McGuinty to Temper Socialist "Anti-Money" Rhetoric

OTTAWA/CALGARY: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has responded to today's release of an ambitious set of proposals by Ontario Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty billed as a Democratic Charter. Mr. McGuinty promised to implement this charter if his party forms government after the next provincial election, expected in 2003.

"While we disagree with the necessity for some of the elements proposed today, we do support the
proposals to end taxpayer funded government advertising, hold a referendum on voting reform to replace our current faked-majority, first-past-the-post system, implement fixed terms of government and to emancipate MPPs from the slavery of excessive party discipline," stated CTF federal director Walter Robinson.

"All political parties in Ontario, and indeed Canada, have contributed - through decades of deception of voters- to the cynicism that we now collectively exhibit toward politicians and our democratic institutions," added Robinson. "Restoring faith and respect for MPPs, rebuilding a democratic ethos and reinvigorating a sense of ownership of public policy will not be an easy task, but those components of the Charter for which we've signaled support are positive steps.

On the voting reform, Robinson noted that Canada is only one of three democracies with a population of over eight-million to still utilize the first-past-the-post system where less than 40% of the popular vote allows parties to form government and exercise 100%, unchecked power.

"During an in-depth two-hour meeting this past March, I discussed several of these reform ideas with Mr. McGuinty on behalf of our supporters," said Robinson. "We would like to believe this dialogue partly contributed to some of the proposals that were tabled today. But Mr. McGuinty should re-think some his anti-money rhetoric that borders on socialist fervour. By limiting spending, he may in fact be limiting democratic participation instead of enhancing it."