ABOVE: Some say the secret to politics is always looking forward, but the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, says Jim Prentice should take a page out of the past. Tracy Nagai reports.
CALGARY – The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is pushing Alberta Premier Jim Prentice to cut wasteful spending with a bold new campaign featuring the face of former premier Ralph Klein.
The CTF launched the campaign on Tuesday, urging the premier not to raise taxes in the face of low oil prices, instead hoping he’ll “be like Ralph” and get government spending under control.
READ MORE: ‘Consequences for all Albertans’: Prentice has grim take on plunging oil prices
“Ralph Klein was loved by many Albertans because he made tough spending decisions, paid off the debt and created Alberta’s low tax environment,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig.
Prentice said last month that while he doesn’t think Albertans generally advocate a sales tax, he’s prepared to hear a discussion on its merits as the government prepares for the possibility of an ailing economy.
WATCH: A campaign by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation about fiscal restraint has taken an interesting turn. Emily Mertz explains.
Craig says if the province were to close the spending gap with B.C., there would be no need to talk about raising taxes or running a deficit in 2015.
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READ MORE: Albertans don’t support provincial sales tax, according to new poll
“Balancing the budget without raising taxes doesn’t require anything radical,” added Craig. “All it requires is for the provincial government to get its spending down to the same levels as British Columbia.”
According to the CTF, the spending per capita in Alberta last year was $10,754, compared to $8,857 in B.C.
The CTF is asking Albertans who don’t want to see an increase in taxes to print off a picture of Klein from their website, and mail it or fax it to Premier Prentice’s office.
WATCH: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is asking Jim Prentice to roll up his sleeves and cut wasteful spending.
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