Pre Budget Submission 2003

REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federations (CTF) will meet with Finance Minister Eric Cline today to present recommendations for the upcoming provincial budget.

The theme of this year's pre-budget submission is "Saskatchewan: Moving from have-not to go-to." The recommendations are aimed at lifting the burden of government off the Saskatchewan economy and ultimately drawing people back to Saskatchewan in the pursuit of jobs and prosperity. Census data continues to show that people are leaving Saskatchewan by the thousands each year.

"The last 50 years clearly shows what doesn't work - high taxes, big government, and government intervention in the economy," said CTF Saskatchewan Director David MacLean. "It's time we launched a whole new approach toward economic development - one where government does less instead of more, where we focus on making Saskatchewan a better place to work and do business. Our leaders need to have the courage to make real changes."

"We need to follow the example of other jurisdictions who have undertaken similar reforms like Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, or else risk further erosion of our tax base," added MacLean.

The CTF pre-budget recommendations are supported by the results of a recent supporter survey. In that survey, 66 per cent of respondents indicated that based on their experience over the last few years, they felt pessimistic about the future of the province.

"Most of the people of Saskatchewan are way ahead of the politicians in recognizing the need for change," said MacLean. "It's time our leaders got ahead of the curve, and made changes aimed at bringing people to Saskatchewan."