OTTAWA: Representatives of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held simultaneous news conferences in front of billboards erected in six Canadian cities today in launching a national CUT TAXES NOW! campaign.

"Taxes in this country are too high and climbing. They are killing jobs, eroding family incomes and making saving for the future impossible. They are striping the poorest Canadians of opportunity and sending our best and brightest to live and work outside the country," said CTF federal director Walter Robinson. "The time has come to chart a new course." Earlier this month the CTF appealed to the House of Commons Finance Committee for $10-billion in tax relief in 1999 federal budget:

• 10% across-the-board personal income tax cut which would move the tax brackets from 17%, 26% and 29% to 15%, 24% and 27% respectively;
• Immediate re-indexation of the income tax system to inflation thereby ending Paul Martin's stealth tax called bracket creep;
• Removal of the remaining 3% and 5% federal surtaxes.

In their submission the CTF also highlights several deficit prevention measures and repeated their call for a Taxpayer Protection Amendment to the Constitution. The complete submission is available on the CTF's web site at www.taxpayer.com.

The CTF's CUT TAXES NOW! campaign includes:

• Billboard advertising in nine Canadian cities (see list below);
• A national petition drive;
• Lobbying federal politicians;
• On-line support through the CTF website (www.taxpayer.com);
• Speaking and media presentations;
• Distribution of CUT TAXES NOW! brief

"Our campaign is a call to arms. But our efforts are meaningless unless Canadian taxpayers who have sacrificed, again and again join us, stand up and tell Paul Martin ENOUGH," said Robinson. "Lower taxes will stimulate growth, unearth the underground economy, create more jobs and ultimately generate more money for Mr. Martin and his government to dedicate to debt reduction and program priorities."