EDMONTON: At a joint news conference today, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and Alberta Liberal Treasury Critic Howard Sapers called on all Alberta MLAs to sign the CTF's Taxpayer Protection Pledge in support of Bill 211.

Sponsored by Mr. Sapers, Bill 211, the Alberta Taxpayer Bill of Rights, would require that any proposed rate increase in personal income taxes, hotel room taxes, fuel taxes, provincial property taxes, and other taxes, be approved by Albertans through a province-wide referendum.

"Albertans need to be given some control over fiscal policy in order to avoid the massive debts and tax burdens we're dealing with today," said Gray. "A referendum mechanism would give us that control."

Gray pointed out that Alberta has fallen behind the pack with respect to giving voters the right to reject tax increases. "Manitoba, Ontario, and the Yukon all have legislation in place that requires referendums on tax hikes - why are Albertans being denied the right to vote afforded in other provinces "

The Federation will be sending a copy of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to all MLAs requesting their signatures. The results of the exercise will be recorded and publicized prior to a vote on the Bill.

Gray said that Bill 211 represents a non-partisan issue, having been introduced by a member of the Opposition and mirroring similar legislation previously introduced (but not passed) by the Klein administration. "Taxpayer protection legislation is non-ideological and good policy - there is absolutely no reason for any MLA to vote against this Bill."

"It's time to let the people decide how much money they're going to give the government, rather than allowing the government to decide how much it will take from the people," concluded Gray.