VANCOUVER: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) presented its pre-budget recommendations to the Budget 2009 Select Standing Committee calling for: a debt elimination plan; a lower, flatter and simpler income tax system; elimination of the carbon tax; elimination of green corporate welfare spending; health care reform; and competition in two sectors currently dominated by government monopolies.

"The CTF's number one priority is for the government to get serious about the debt and legislate a debt elimination plan," said Maureen Bader, BC Director of the CTF. "A slowing economy means the government will no longer be able to rely on its debt-to-GDP reduction fiction -- it must start lowering the debt in fact."

The CTF's report, A Focus on Fiscal Responsibility, recommends a comprehensive public review of corporate and personal income taxes. The aim is to create a lower, flatter, and simpler system to promote economic development and growth and to position the province as an attractive venue for investment. The CTF also recommends eliminating the carbon tax.

"The federal election results -- especially in B.C. -- sent a clear message to politicians regarding the carbon tax," continued Bader. "The economy must come first -- carbon taxes punish families and won't make our environment cleaner."

Other recommendations are designed to reduce government spending and increase consumer choice. Health care, the area of greatest spending growth, is the area in greatest need of reform. Other recommendations include stopping corporate welfare creep and creating competitive auto insurance and lottery sectors.

"Today, in the run up to the next election, the government is increasingly sidetracked by politically motivated spending schemes," said Bader. "The CTF is looking for a return to the fiscal responsibility that helped elect the Campbell government in 2001 and create a booming B.C. economy."

For a complete copy of the report, please go to: Budget 2009

For a summary of key recommendations, please go to: Budget recommendations