• Do NOT pass Go, Do NOT go to the Television studio on Budget Day
• CTF welcomes Eves Government's decision to restore Education Tax Credit. But reiterates its profound opposition to "budget" infomercial.

Toronto: Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Ontario Director, John Williamson, reacted to news today that the Ontario government will increased the Equity in Education Tax Credit.

In the 2002 Budget, the Finance Minister delayed the government's legislated schedule to increase the education tax credit and to reduce personal and corporate income taxes. "As far as the education tax credit is concerned, it's as if last year's budget never happened," Mr. Williamson said this morning. "For the past six months the CTF has been calling on the government to reverse its broken tax relief promises. It is taking positive steps today to restore the education tax credit, but it also needs to restore the income tax relief schedule and give all of Ontario's taxpayers a break."

Premier Ernie Eves announced today that the credit will rise from 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the first $7,000 per child for tuition fees at independent schools in Ontario. For the 2003 taxation year, the maximum tax credit for parents that choose to educate their children outside of the public system will jump from $700 to $1,400.

"The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is in complete agreement with the decision to increase the independent school tax credit. The education tax credit encourages choice and competition, and puts parents - rather than government bureaucrats - in control of their children's schooling," said Williamson. "The education tax credit is good public policy because it provides a shot in the arm to independent schools capable of offering a positive alternative to the public system, a system that more often than not appears to be run for the benefit of unions rather than kids."

In other news, today marks day nine since Premier Eves announced his rash plan to "table" the upcoming "budget" in a television studio in front of a handpicked group rather than in the provincial legislature. "Premier Eves does not receive a get out of jail card today for repairing one part of a broken promise. He has thumbed his nose at Parliament and the growing controversy over his decision to bypass the legislature and the opposition will dog him, and his party, long after his silly budget infomercial day has passed. There remains only one place to table a budget: That is before the people's elected representatives in the legislative assembly at Queen's Park," concluded Williamson.