VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on British Columbia’s new finance minister, Katrine Conroy, to cut taxes and pay down the provincial debt. 

“Taxpayers desperately need relief,” said Carson Binda, B.C. director for the CTF. “The appointment of a new finance minister gives the government a golden opportunity to start making life more affordable by cutting taxes.” 

Last month’s announcement of a $5.7 billion surplus in the provincial budget shows there’s ample room for Conroy and Premier David Eby to reduce taxes. 

“This year the B.C. government is increasing taxes on gasoline, diesel, home heating, used vehicles and homes,” said Binda. “Instead of raising taxes, Conroy needs to show leadership and reduce them.” 

Taxpayers also need action on reducing the provincial debt, which currently stands at more than $97 billion. Each B.C. resident owes about $18,500 towards the provincial debt.

“Governments in Alberta and Saskatchewan have shown leadership through cutting taxes and paying down billions of dollars of debt,” said Binda. “Eby and Conroy should follow their lead so that families can afford to put food on the table and we stop giving away billions of dollars in interest charges to bondholders on Bay Street.”

-30-