Canadian Taxpayers Federation Issues Election Challenge to Conservative, Liberal, and New Democratic Leaders

Sample Pledge (115 KB)

TORONTO: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Ontario Director John Williamson is challenging the three main party leaders in the Ontario election to sign a pledge committing themselves and their parties to abide by the Taxpayer Protection and Balanced Budget Act.

"There are good reasons for party leaders to sign our Taxpayer Protection Pledge," said Mr. Williamson. "All three parties say they will balance the budget, the two front-runners are on record saying they support the Taxpayers Protection and Balanced Budget Act, and taxpayers are wondering who they can trust. By signing our pledge, the candidates will be given a credibility boost by explicitly signaling they can be counted on to act responsibly in government and protect the interests of taxpayers."

The Taxpayers Protection and Balanced Budget Act was passed with bipartisan support (76-9) by the Ontario legislature on November 23, 1999. The taxpayer protection law prohibits the provincial government from raising most taxes and deferring scheduled tax cuts without first holding a province-wide referendum. During an election campaign, a party leader may provide a written statement to the Chief Election Officer indicating that, if the party forms the government following the election, the party intends to raise taxes by a specific amount, establish a new tax, or give a person or body an authority to tax. The balanced budget law requires annual balanced budgets and drastic reductions in pay - 25 per cent in the first year of a deficit and 50 per cent in subsequent years of a deficit - for the premier and the cabinet should they run a budget deficit.

"The Taxpayer Protection Act is the most important piece of legislation protecting Ontario taxpayers," explained Mr. Williamson. "The law provides predictability in budgeting, in the level of taxes we pay, and, most important, gives voters the final say when it comes to raising provincial taxes."

The CTF has produced three placards that commit the party leaders and their parties to abide by the Taxpayer Protection and Balanced Budget Act, and specifically to "not raise or implement any new taxes without the explicit consent of Ontario voters, and not run deficits."

"Our pledge is a very simple. It is a clear statement that does not give lawmakers any wiggle-room," noted Williamson. "By signing our pledge the candidates are looking into the whites of our eyes and telling us we can trust their tax and spending promises."