Edmonton candidates say NO to new taxes, YES to limiting tax increases, NO to taxpayer funding of a replacement Rexall Place, YES to reversing the 21% council pay hike and YES to pre-election disclosure of campaign contributions

CTF Candidate Survey Results - Edmonton

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released today the results of a five question survey sent to each Edmonton candidate running for civic office in the October 15th municipal election.

Of the candidates who responded, 72 per cent answered NO when asked if they support the request by the Minister's Council on Municipal Sustainability for six new civic taxing powers. 72 per cent also answered YES when asked if they support limiting annual property tax bill hikes to Edmonton's inflation rate (4 per cent currently).

"Clearly there are a lot of candidates in this election who understand Edmontonians have seen more than their fair share of tax hikes over the past couple of years," stated CTF-Alberta director Scott Hennig. "Tax hikes above the inflation rate put those Edmontonians on fixed incomes - like many seniors - in a position of having their disposable incomes eroded year after year."

62 per cent of candidates who responded indicated they would vote in favour of reversing the 21 per cent city council pay and perk hike (14 per cent opposed and 24 per cent undecided).

"The unwarranted 21 per cent council pay hike has touched a nerve with many Edmontonians and it should be no surprise so many candidates have identified this issue as one area where change is sorely needed," continued Hennig.

Candidates who responded to the CTF survey overwhelmingly opposed a tax-funded replacement for Rexall Place, with 93 per cent saying NO, and the other 7 per cent being undecided.

"Ask most taxpayers if they support using municipal tax dollars to hire more police officers or to pay for a fancy new professional sports arena, and you'll likely find the arena a low priority," continued Hennig.

62 per cent of the candidates who responded indicated they would be disclosing their campaign contributions before the October 15th vote.

"We've already seen a number of these candidates come through and disclose their donors, it's now up to the rest who have said YES to back their commitment up with action and show Edmontonians just who is funding their campaigns," concluded Hennig.

Complete candidate responses can be found HERE.