- $32,000 wasted on partisan advertising campaign
- Premier McGuinty breaks another promise

Toronto: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation today revealed the results of a Freedom of Information Request into spending on a partisan advertising campaign by the City of Toronto.

The Toronto Transit Commission divulged spending of $31,877.33 on the "Gas Tax Delivers" promotional campaign. The campaign includes advertisements in buses and subways which read: "The Gas Tax Delivers! 800 New Buses by 2007." The full-color ads bear the logos of the City of Toronto as well as those of the provincial and federal government. The costs reported broke down as follows:

Salaries: $4,662.47
Contracts: $27,117.00
Administrative: $97.86
TOTAL: $31,877.33

The spending reported does not appear to include printing costs or installation costs which may have also been incurred.

"This is a waste of taxpayers' money, pure and simple. Why is the City spending money to tell commuters how many buses will hit the streets The mayor and other council members have given interviews to the media on this - they don't need to spend additional tax dollars to blow their own horn," said Tasha Kheiriddin, CTF Ontario Director.

Premier Dalton McGuinty promised in the 2003 election to ban all partisan advertising. While no provincial funds were spent directly on the "Gas Tax Delivers" campaign, the province did allow its logo to be used in the taxpayer-funded advertising.

"This is another broken promise by Premier McGuinty. He promised not to engage in partisan advertising, yet is taking - pardon the pun - a free ride on the TTC advertisement," said Kheiriddin. "In the end there is only one taxpayer, and sadly, they're stuck with the tab again."