TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff to clarify publicly and unambiguously whether, as Prime Minister, he would raise taxes to help deal with the growing federal deficit and debt. 

CTF Federal Director, Kevin Gaudet said, “Canadian familes already give 45% of their incomes to government each year, so they have the right to know whether Mr. Ignatief, if elected Prime Minister, would increase that burden.”

The Kitchener-Waterloo Record is reporting (at www.therecord.com) that yesterday at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast in Cambridge, Ontario, Mr. Ignatieff responded to an audience member question about reducing the federal debt by stating, “We will have to raise taxes.”  Subsequent to his interview Liberal staff are stating that Mr. Ignatieff has no plans and no desire to raise taxes.

Gaudet concluded, “Balancing the federal budget and reducing our federal debt must be accomplished through reduced spending, not through tax hikes. This was the Liberal approach in the 1990s.  Mr. Ignatieff should publicly, clearly, unambiguously, and quickly commit to this approach and disavow the possibility of tax hikes.”