REGINA: The CTF is calling for changes to the Rural Municipalities Act to give rural residents who are upset about high property taxes a lawful and democratic alternative to a tax revolt. "Rural citizens need a Citizen's Initiative Bylaw at the local level so they have a means of fighting high taxes short of civil disobedience," says Richard Truscott, Saskatchewan Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

As farm incomes have dropped and property taxes have risen farmers have been warning that they may just stop paying their taxes. "Many rural residents believe that withholding taxes in a tax revolt is the only way to fight property tax increases," notes Truscott. "This tax protest needs a democratic outlet."

The idea is not revolutionary. The provincial laws that define municipal government for urban and northern areas already provide a means of petitioning local government, and putting "citizen initiatives" to a popular vote. But this provision is missing from the Rural Municipalities Act that governs areas of the province hit hardest by the farm income crisis and property tax increases.

"It is totally unfair that rural residents have fewer democratic rights, and less control over their local governments, than urban and northern residents," says Truscott.

"If a citizen initiative mechanism was available, rural citizens who are now considering a tax revolt could put their energy into petitioning for municipal referendums on tax increases," says Truscott. "It would be a democratic means of rolling back tax rates or compelling politicians to put tax increases to a referendum."

The CTF is also calling on the provincial government to launch a comprehensive review of property taxes similar to the ongoing review of provincial income taxes. Although municipalities are bearing the brunt of taxpayer discontent over property taxes, Truscott says that the province is also to blame for off-loading the tax burden onto rural municipalities.

As for the brewing tax revolt, Truscott warns, "If the provincial government is unwilling to give hard-pressed rural citizens some tax relief, or a legitimate outlet for their tax protest, they will bear much of the responsibility if there is a tax revolt."