REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has launched a province-wide advertising campaign and petition drive aimed at preventing a tax increase in the upcoming provincial budget.

Radio ads are running across Saskatchewan and an extensive outdoor billboard campaign will begin in days. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness among Saskatchewan taxpayers that the province is planning to raises taxes, and encouraging them to speak out. Taxpayers are encouraged to sign a petition calling on the government to balance the budget over four years without raising taxes or implementing new ones.

"We're calling on all Saskatchewan taxpayers, regardless of who they voted for in the election, to speak out against tax increases and demand that the government address the province's growing debt," said CTF Saskatchewan Director David MacLean. "We've just come through an election campaign, and nowhere did the NDP say they would raise taxes. The government does not have a mandate to increase taxes."

"By not addressing government spending and growing debt, the province is mortgaging future generations, whose numbers are in slow but steady decline," added MacLean. "The province's finances are like a house of cards."

"The province must act on the deficit and spending," said MacLean. "The people must speak out and tell the government, loud and clear, that tax increases are unacceptable and that they must address government spending. This campaign gives people the opportunity to do exactly that."

The government has a spending problem

Since 1997, government spending has increased by 43 per cent - which is twice as fast as revenue growth during the same period.
Per capita spending since 1998 has increased by 15.8 per cent after inflation, while the population of Saskatchewan has decreased.
Since 2001, the province's debt has increased by $1.5 billion or 19 per cent.
12 cents of each tax dollar collected goes to interest payments on the accumulated deficit.
Had government spending been tied to inflation since 1997, we would currently be enjoying an $938 million surplus, or a rainy day fund worth $5.4 billion - even after you factor in increases in health spending.
REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has launched a province-wide advertising campaign and petition drive aimed at preventing a tax increase in the upcoming provincial budget.

Radio ads are running across Saskatchewan and an extensive outdoor billboard campaign will begin in days. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness among Saskatchewan taxpayers that the province is planning to raises taxes, and encouraging them to speak out. Taxpayers are encouraged to sign a petition calling on the government to balance the budget over four years without raising taxes or implementing new ones.

"We're calling on all Saskatchewan taxpayers, regardless of who they voted for in the election, to speak out against tax increases and demand that the government address the province's growing debt," said CTF Saskatchewan Director David MacLean. "We've just come through an election campaign, and nowhere did the NDP say they would raise taxes. The government does not have a mandate to increase taxes."

"By not addressing government spending and growing debt, the province is mortgaging future generations, whose numbers are in slow but steady decline," added MacLean. "The province's finances are like a house of cards."

"The province must act on the deficit and spending," said MacLean. "The people must speak out and tell the government, loud and clear, that tax increases are unacceptable and that they must address government spending. This campaign gives people the opportunity to do exactly that."

The government has a spending problem

Since 1997, government spending has increased by 43 per cent - which is twice as fast as revenue growth during the same period.

Per capita spending since 1998 has increased by 15.8 per cent after inflation, while the population of Saskatchewan has decreased.

Since 2001, the province's debt has increased by $1.5 billion or 19 per cent.
12 cents of each tax dollar collected goes to interest payments on the accumulated deficit.

Had government spending been tied to inflation since 1997, we would currently be enjoying an $938 million surplus, or a rainy day fund worth $5.4 billion - even after you factor in increases in health spending.