REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) marks a significant year of achievement in Ontario. "When we hired John Williamson as the Ontario director and opened our Toronto office a year ago, expectations were high because we believed our message of responsible government and fair taxation would resonate with Ontario's taxpayers," said CTF Chief Executive Officer Ken Azzopardi. "Today, we note with great satisfaction that under John's management, the CTF has become Ontario's most effective and visible organization calling for lower taxes, less waste and truly accountable government."

The Ontario office has assumed a leading role by raising the concerns of Ontario's taxpayers and holding the provincial government accountable. In the past twelve months, the CTF presented its pre-budget recommendations to the Minister of Finance, successfully campaigned against a proposed 25 per cent pay raise for all MPPs, met with the Integrity Commissioner to discuss pay levels for Ontario's lawmakers, and released a report on municipal spending levels.

"Thanks to John's hard work, professionalism, and even-handedness our message has been heard," said Azzopardi. During the Ontario election campaign, the CTF's Ontario division secured the signatures of Liberal Premier-designate Dalton McGuinty and Conservative leader Ernie Eves on a pledge in which they committed to not run deficits or raise taxes without first holding a province-wide referendum.

"It is a credit to John's success that the CTF's voice stood out in the provincial election and that our role was acknowledge by the province's most senior political parties when their respective leaders signed our Taxpayer Protection Promise," noted Azzopardi.

The CTF is Canada's foremost taxpayer advocacy organization with over 65,000 supporters nationwide. It was established in 1990 when the Association of Saskatchewan Taxpayers and the Resolution One Association of Alberta joined forces to create a national taxpayers organization. In addition to its Regina headquarters and Toronto office, the CTF also maintains offices in Victoria, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa. The CTF is a federally incorporated non-profit and non-partisan organization.

For more information, contact CTF National Communications Director
Troy Lanigan at 1-800-699-2282