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• Liberal/NDP budget irresponsible and derails likelihood of future tax relief.
  
• Government pre-election spending announcements total $6.8-billion.
  
• Orgy of planned and unplanned spending will mean higher taxes.
  
• CTF's launches petition demanding Liberal Party repay Adscam donations.

Ottawa: Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) federal director John Williamson reacted to the Liberal/New Democrat budget deal today at a news conference on Parliament Hill. The new personalized budget adds $4.6-billion in federal spending and eliminates tax relief for businesses.

"Prime Minister Paul Martin did not campaign on increasing government spending to such heights. The budget pact with the New Democrats has jettisoned responsible budgeting in favour of irresponsible spending. Higher taxes will be required to sustain these expenditures. Consequently, a spring election is needed so voters may have a say," said Mr. Williamson. "The budget deal marks a dramatic shift in the government's priorities that will be unacceptable to many Canadian taxpayers. Under former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien new spending accompanied debt reduction and modest tax relief; whereas Mr. Martin's sudden U-turn has Canada on a reckless course."

The CTF has calculated that since April 20th - the day before Mr. Martin's televised appeal to delay an election for 10 months - Ottawa has made spending announcements totaling $6.8-billion, or $523-million a day. (This figure includes the $4.6-billion Liberal/NDP spending increases.) Today's spending announcements - as of noon (EST) - totaled $242-million, all in key Liberal ridings.

Holding up an income tax return and envelop stuffed with $20 and $50 bills, Mr. Williamson also released a national petition directed at the Liberal Party of Canada. The petition demands the Liberal Party repay all donations - whether technically legal or not - stemming from the Adscam scheme. The CTF petition is available under "petitions" on the CTF's website at www.taxpayer.com.

"Never in our 15 years have so many calls come into our offices from Canadians frustrated with having to file their taxes this year," said Williamson. "The sheer contempt with which tax dollars have been treated makes it easy to understand why."