WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today reacted to The Fraser Institute's calculations that this year's "Tax Freedom Day" for Manitoba occurred on Sunday, June 27th.

"In an average work day, Manitoba taxpayers spend the morning working for government, and the afternoon paying for their family's bills," said Victor Vrsnik, CTF Manitoba Director. "Manitoba taxpayers will pay 48.4% of their income to all levels of government."

The Institute calculates Tax Freedom Day as the day of the year when Canadians finally start working for their families. As the Institute notes, "all money earned prior to this day is required to pay the taxes imposed by the three levels of government - federal, provincial, and municipal."

"It's ironic that Tax Freedom Day for Canada will fall on July 1st, Canada Day. When taxpayers are celebrating our national holiday, they can raise their glasses in relief knowing that they are finally working for themselves," said Vrsnik.

Despite modest federal and provincial income tax relief in the last provincial budget round, Manitoba taxpayers are no better off than last year when Tax Freedom Day fell on June 27th as well. In 1992, Tax Freedom Day for Manitoba occurred on June 1st, and in 1985 it fell on May 5th.

"Meanwhile the province will net an extra $ 166 million personal income tax windfall over last year," said Vrsnik. "From income taxes to sales taxes to payroll taxes to property taxes to gas taxes to user fees right through to bracket creep, Manitobans are pummeled with taxes. And we continue to pay more in taxes but get less in services. It's this issue of value that is driving Canadian tax rage."

The CTF continues to advocate for broad based tax relief as the best means to spur economic growth, job creation, and allow Canadians to plan for their futures by investing and reducing record levels of personal debt.