EDMONTON, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding the Alberta government for strengthening the Taxpayer Protection Act.

“The Taxpayer Protection Act is one of the strongest laws protecting taxpayers in North America and it’s the reason we don’t have a PST,” said Kris Sims, Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation during a press conference at the legislature. “If the government wants to raise personal taxes or create new ones, it will need to hold a referendum first.”

The Alberta government is amending the existing Taxpayer Protection Act to require a referendum to be held before the government would be permitted to raise personal or business taxes.

The Taxpayer Protection Act already shields Albertans from a Provincial Sales Tax, saving Albertans billions of dollars per year. Because of the Taxpayer Protection Act, the government would need to hold a referendum before imposing a PST on Albertans.

“This is very encouraging to see happen in Alberta,” said Sims. “This strengthening of the Taxpayer Protection Act combined with the government’s commitment to balance the budget, pay down the debt and restrain spending to the rate of inflation and population growth, will set Alberta apart when it comes to respecting taxpayers’ money.”