Last week the Canadian Taxpayers Federation took its tax cuts message to the House of Commons Finance Committee. This week, we bring our message to the people. Billboards went up in nine Canadian cities with a simple message: CUT TAXES NOW! And we are launching a national petition drive in support of our pre-budget proposals for substantive tax relief.

Specifically, we are asking for $10 billion in tax cuts in the 1999 federal budget. This includes:

A 10% across-the-board income tax cut which would move the tax brackets from 17, 26 and 29% to 15, 24 and 27% respectively. This leaves $7.46 billion left in taxpayers' pockets.

Elimination of the remaining 3% and 5% federal surtaxes. This leaves $1.7 billion in taxpayers' pockets.

Full indexation of income tax brackets to inflation. This leaves $850 million in taxpayers' pockets.

From the brain drain to killing jobs to taxing the poorest in our society to declining take home pay - high taxes are a national disgrace! In addition, we have revealed that the "so-called" tax cuts announced by Minister Martin in the 1998 budget were all but wiped out when "bracket creep" and the effects of the CPP premium increases are factored in. Indeed, the effect is an extra $672 million in federal taxes.

During his pre-budget appearance this past October, Minister Martin stated, "- when others say that the way to pay for a large reduction in taxes is to slash spending, ask them to tell you specifically what they would cut -". We accept the Minister's challenge and have outlined over $12 billion in deficit prevention measures (read: spending cuts). It is important to note that we refuse to confiscate one single penny of the $10.4 billion surplus (read: over-taxation) that the government is currently running.

Much of this amount is due to excessive Employment Insurance (EI) premiums and we reiterate our call for the Finance Minister to return this surplus to Canadian workers and employers in the former of lower EI premiums.

Canadians deserve more than the empty rhetoric and tax hikes they have received so far. Consider the following:

"We believe the time will come when the government will be in a position to consider a broad-based tax cut." (Globe and Mail, October 10, 1996)

"Canadians have a right to expect that when their country's financial health is firmly secured, they can look forward to an easing of their tax burden." (Financial Post, October 17, 1997)

"With the budget in balance, Canadians have a right - and we have a responsibility - to ensure that more money is left in their pockets." (Economic and Fiscal Update, October 14, 1998)

Of course, these ramblings have come from our Finance Minister. We must convey a simple message to him: it's time to walk the walk instead of just talking the talk. The power is in the hands of taxpayers to force the Finance Minister to do the right thing and live up to his rhetoric.

Taxpayers should visit our web-site or call our head office at 1-800-667-7933 for copies of our tax cuts petition to circulate amongst their families, neighbours and colleagues.

The power to cut taxes is in the hands of taxpayers. Our proposals would put almost $700 back into the pocket of each and every Canadian taxpayer. Sign on - to CUT TAXES NOW!