• Albertans already called for tax cuts, in 1998 and again in 2000
  
• 79% of Albertans want the right to initiate and vote in referendums
  
• 83% of Albertans want taxpayer protection legislation

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today responded to the release of the Alberta Government's province-wide mail-in survey. Approximately 290,000 responses were received by mail and e-mail, with respondents listing health care, education, environment and tax cuts as top priorities.

In province-wide mail-in surveys in 1998 and again in 2000, Albertans ranked tax cuts ahead of spending increases. Since 1998, Premier Klein has increased spending on government programs by 65%, while Alberta's population grew by only 12%. Program spending in 1998 was $14.3 billion, but stands at $23.7 billion in 2004. Although personal income tax was reduced in 2001, Premier Klein increased taxes by $541 million in the 2002 budget.

"The questions on this survey were so vague that any politician can interpret the responses any which way, so the results are rather meaningless," stated CTF-Alberta director John Carpay.

"Premier Klein should have asked Albertans specific questions, like whether they support a private health care system to co-exist alongside the public one," stated Carpay.

"Albertans still don't have the right to initiate and vote in referendums on subjects of their choosing. A 2001 Environics poll revealed that 79% of Albertans want citizens initiative legislation," continued Carpay.

"Albertans still don't have taxpayer protection legislation. And this in spite of a 2002 JMCK poll showing that 83% of Albertans believe that proposed new taxes and proposed tax increases should be put to a referendum for taxpayer approval," said Carpay.

"Premier Klein has not listened to what Albertans told him in surveys in 1998 and 2000, when Albertans ranked tax cuts higher than spending increases. He continues to ignore the 79% of Albertans who want citizens' initiative legislation. He continues to ignore the 83% of Albertans who want taxpayer protection legislation," concluded Carpay.