-- CTF Reacts to Throne Speech: Government Theme is Inclusion but Major Challenges Facing Canada are Definitely Excluded --

OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today reacted to the 49-minute Speech from the Throne, which outlines the Government's agenda for the 37th Parliament of Canada.

"The main theme for the government is inclusion, however, when it comes to the big ticket issues facing Parliament and Canadian taxpayers - from a potential recession to a real voice for patients in health care to an updated fiscal plan - exclusion is definitely the government's chosen course of action," stated CTF federal director Walter Robinson.

"It is clear now that Canadians were right when they fumed about a pointless $200 million fall election. No new or innovative policies were brought forward then, and the only new thing in Ottawa today besides 'mom and apple pie' Throne Speech platitudes is about five centimeters of fresh snow on the ground," noted Robinson. "Last week the CTF released its notes for a Taxpayers Throne Speech and we encouraged the Prime Minister to borrow from them - liberally. It's cleat that he is not open to constructive input."'

Examples of the government's exclusionary path are listed below.

Public Finances

"By refusing to bring down a spring Budget or at the very minimum, an Economic and Fiscal Statement, Parliamentarians and Canadians will be short changed in not knowing what some of the new spending announcements, like CBC funding or yet another war on poverty will cost," added Robinson. "With major multinationals announcing significant layoffs and consumer confidence on the wane, taxpayers as well as national and international markets deserve assurance that last October's tax cuts are still tenable."

Other key items that were excluded were the CTF's call for a legislated debt reduction schedule, a vision for a more effective tax mix and further tax reform, and reforming our pyramid public pension scheme.

Economic Growth

"While we applaud a continued focus on economic growth through free trade in the Americas, the government has abandoned its equally pressing responsibility to facilitate free trade amongst Canadian provinces," said Robinson. "More disturbing still is the lip service paid to the infrastructure needs of our urban regions. You would think with Ottawa hoarding almost $5 billion annually in gas tax revenues, they could have used the Throne Speech to apologize and give it back through some detailed announcements."

Health Care

"The formation of a Citizens Council on Health Care Quality to provide patients with a voice in our ongoing health care debate was welcome news, however, the government in the same breath, signaled its intention to stick with the five principles of the Canada Health Act and to penalize provinces that try to improve service delivery beyond the Act," added Robinson. "These five principles are violated each and every day in this country. The Canada Health Act needs to be modernized to include the principles of choice, quality, accountability and inter-generational sustainability. It is clear this needed agenda has been discounted and excluded which effectively neuters any real citizen consultation."

Governance - Reforming Parliament

"The cries of MPs, from all parties, for more freedom in the House have also been excluded. Quicker voting procedures and more money for research librarians is nothing more than a polite kiss-off to the legitimate demands of parliamentarians," Robinson lamented. "And the agenda of replacing our outdated first-past-the-post voting system with a more proportional or majoritarian form of voting is still excluded the PM's radar screen."

Aboriginal Policy

"The government's intention to work with native bands to improve governance and financial accountability is welcome, but, we've heard this song and dance from Ottawa for over thirty years and the plight or our aboriginal peoples has worsened," stated Robinson. "It truly is sad. Thirty years ago the Prime Minister authored a White Paper on reforming aboriginal policy. The problems identified then remain today."

"Given all the critical issues that have been excluded from today's Throne Speech, it is clear that the government is adrift and has no vision for Canada is this new century. Today's events were an exercise in political process and tradition, period. Responsible and visionary government was canceled due to today's snowstorm," concluded Robinson.