- CTF releases 2008-09 Alberta budget recommendations

Trouble on the Horizon - 2008-09 Alberta Budget Recommendations 

EDMONTON: In its 2008-09 pre-budget submission to the Alberta government, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) projects deficit budgets in the next two to five years unless the Stelmach government changes policy course. 

CTF- Alberta director Scott Hennig presented the report this morning to Finance Minister Lyle Oberg. The report, entitled "Trouble on the Horizon," calls on the Stelmach government to take immediate action in Budget 2008 by implementing a one-year spending freeze, limiting spending increases moving forward and creating a new stream of sustainable investment income by legislating a resource revenue savings program. 

"We've run the numbers and if this government continues to act as recklessly as they have over the past decade, they will begin to run deficit budgets as quickly as Budget 2009 and as late as Budget 2012," stated Hennig.

"Premier Stelmach has little choice but to control spending, or else he will end up being known as the premier who put Alberta back into debt, hiked taxes, or slashed budgets," continued Hennig.

The CTF is also calling on the Stelmach government to eliminate Alberta Health Insurance Premiums for all Albertans.

"Eliminating the regressive health care premium tax would not only remove an unnecessary and unfair form of taxation, it would also put $1,056 back into the pockets of working families each year," continued Hennig.

Other recommendations include:
- Reject the request to grant new taxing powers to municipalities;
- Pass legislation to make any in-year unbudgeted spending illegal;
- Pass legislation so all non-renewable resource revenues over $5.3-billion have to go into savings;
- Implement a yearly minimum and maximum level of capital plan spending to gain control over inflationary costs;
- Immediately eliminate the hidden sales tax on insurance;
- Amend the Alberta Taxpayer Protection Act to require a provincial referendum be held prior to increasing or adding any new provincial tax;
- And more-

In total, the CTF makes 15 recommendations for the 2008-09 provincial budget. Copies of "Trouble on the Horizon" can be found on-line by clicking HERE or by contacting the Alberta office at 1-800-661-0187