Taxpayers awaiting Throne Speech to find out whether tax reduction, spending control and democratic reform rank high on Stelmach's list
CTF launches petition to get Stelmach government to adopt fixed election dates for provincial general elections
EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released today its list of Top 20 Policy Priorities for the Stelmach Government.
The list includes elimination of health care premiums, a legislated cap on spending increases, and the need for fixed election dates, among many others.
"We'll be using this list to gauge not only the upcoming Throne Speech, but Premier Stelmach's first year in office," said CTF-Alberta director Scott Hennig.
A copy of the list can be downloaded here.
The CTF also launched today a petition calling on Premier Stelmach to introduce fixed election dates for general provincial elections in Alberta.
British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador all have fixed provincial election dates. In addition, Stephen Harper's new federal government has introduced Bill C-16, which would fix future federal election dates starting in 2009.
"Voters in Newfoundland and Labrador already know their next election will be held on October 9, 2007. Voters in Ontario already know they're voting on October 10, 2007. BC voters know they're voting next on May 12, 2009. But Albertans have no idea when the next provincial election will be called," continued Hennig.
"It's working well in those provinces, as well as at the municipal level in Alberta," continued Hennig. "Could you imagine a system where the mayor of a city or town got to decide when an election was going to be held It would be ridiculous, yet that is the way it works provincially in Alberta."
"Fixing our election dates will not only be fairer to opposition parties and Albertans, but it will make preparations for the next election much easier for the non-partisan election staff," concluded Hennig.
The petition can be signed on-line here.
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