CTF applauds Premier Stelmach for his commitment not to hike taxes during his term in office

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded today to comments made by Premier Ed Stelmach that: “As long as I'm premier of this province, there will be no tax increases."

The Premier’s statement follows months of speculation and outright suggestion by various provincial cabinet ministers that taxes were going to be hiked in Budget 2010.

“Taxpayers have rightfully been concerned that the Stelmach government was preparing to hike their taxes in Budget 2010,” said CTF-Alberta director Scott Hennig. “And we made it clear in our recent pre-budget meeting with the Treasury Board that CTF supporters were completely opposed to hiking taxes.”

“Premier Stelmach’s unequivocal promise to never raise taxes is very welcomed,” continued Hennig. “He’s made a big promise today and it’s excellent news for taxpayers.”

“The next step for Premier Stelmach is to firmly commit not to run up deficits and debts into the future, and to balance the budget through spending reductions,” said Hennig.

The CTF is also reminding Premier Stelmach of a promise made by his predecessor, Premier Klein, in 2001 that: "The only way taxes are going in this province is down.” That promise was broken a year later in Budget 2002, when he raised the health care premium tax.

“We hope this Premier, unlike his predecessor, keeps his word,” concluded Hennig.

Recent quotes from Alberta cabinet ministers on the potential for new and higher taxes:

• Iris Evans: “We’re not saying no to tax increases,” (April 9th, 2009 – Calgary Sun)
• Iris Evans: “we may have to increase taxes down the road.” (April 14th, 2009 – Alberta Hansard)
• Ron Liepert: "I will not rule out tax increases. I spoke the other day to the fact that if we were to implement, as an example -- I'm not suggesting that that's what we're doing -- but if we were to implement a five-cent gas tax, that's $400 million dollars." (April 17th, 2009 -http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090417/edm_liepert_090417/20090417/CSI)
• Ron Liepert: "We put in a 10% flat tax. Is that the right tax model? Maybe, maybe not." (April 21, 2009 – Calgary Sun)
• Rick Bell – Calgary Sun: “He (Liepert) also says there's room for a little more tax at the gas pumps” (April 21, 2009)
• Treasury Board Document: “Fiscal correction will likely include a combination of revenue initiatives [read: tax hikes] and expense reductions.” (June 2009)
• Lloyd Snelgrove: "Over the coming months, we will be considering numerous options to reduce our spending and raise our revenues." (July 1, 2009 - Edmonton Sun)
• Ted Morton: “It’s going to have to be both. The shortfall is so big that cuts alone can’t do it.” (July 7, 2009 – Calgary Herald)
• Ron Liepert: “It has to be a combination of everything. What all of those things are going to be, that's what we have to decide.” (July 7, 2009 – Calgary Sun)
• Ron Liepert: “It's become almost an Alberta mantra somehow that we're never going to have a provincial sales tax. I am going to be open to whatever is brought to the table. I'm not ruling anything out.” (July 7, 2009 – Calgary Sun)