Both civic politicians and weary taxpayers got a boost of support recently from Premier Stelmach when he said he favoured the idea of Alberta municipalities having to hold a public referendum on new civic taxes this fall.

This declaration was in response to a request by the mayors of Edmonton and Calgary, as well as the two presidents of the associations representing urban and rural municipalities. The four representatives have asked Premier Stelmach's government to give municipalities the right to levy a new amusement tax, a new hotel tax, a new land-transfer tax, and a new vehicle registration tax.

All told, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) calculates these new taxes could cost the average Alberta family of four an additional $911 per year.

For taxpayers, Premier Stelmach's declaration is clearly an indication he believes taxpayers should have the final say.

For civic politicians, Premier Stelmach's declaration is the opening many of them have been looking for.

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier has been waging (and winning) a public relations battle on the need for greater and diversified municipal revenue sources (read: more of your money) for the better part of his six years at the helm. Yet, he's always been limited by having to go cap-in-hand to his provincial overlords to beg for more funding, more taxes and more power. Premier Stelmach has just given Bronconnier, Mandel and other tax-hungry local politicians a new path to the dollars they seek - right through their own taxpayers.

However, these politicians' hesitancy to put the taxation powers to the voters is concerning. Aren't they absolutely positive their citizens will overwhelmingly support these new taxes They must believe this. Otherwise they have been mis-representing their constituents' wishes.

Regardless, Premier Stelmach's apparent fondness for direct democracy should be celebrated and encouraged.

It's also an impressive turnaround for him.

During the Alberta PC party leadership race, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation questioned the prospective leadership candidates to find out where they stood on various tax, spending and direct democracy issues.

At the time, Mr. Stelmach was non-committal on the suggestion citizens be allowed to vote to recall their politicians. He also rejected the notion of allowing citizens to initiate referendums through successful petition drives. And, incredibly, he dismissed the idea of expanding the provincial Taxpayer Protection Act to require citizens to approve, in a referendum, any tax increase or new provincial tax.

The CTF has long argued taxpayers need a much louder voice and more protection from over-bearing governments than just once every three or four years at the ballot box. Direct democracy tools like citizen-initiated referendums and politician recall would not only make governments more responsive to the needs of their citizens, but would empower citizens to become more engaged in the governing process.

The CTF has also lobbied for years to see the current Taxpayer Protection Act in Alberta expanded. Currently, it only requires a province-wide vote be held if the government attempts to introduce a general provincial sales tax. But, if the government introduces any other new tax (like an inheritance tax) or expands a current tax (like doubling the income tax), taxpayers don't get a vote.

Premier Stelmach is right to put faith in the citizens of Alberta by suggesting they be the ones to decide whether these new municipal taxes are introduced. But now he should apply the same logic to his own government, by requiring voters give approval to any new provincial tax or increase to an existing tax.

Albertans are ready for the responsibility, Mr. Premier. In fact, they are waiting for it.