CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation delivered a wheelbarrow full of cotton swabs to Calgary city hall to help politicians actually listen to taxpayers and launched its provincial Recall at City Hall campaign. 

"Councillors seem to be having a hard time hearing taxpayers who are saying they want the city to cut spending and lower taxes, so we brought councillors some cotton swabs so they can clean their ears," said Franco Terrazzano, Alberta Director for the CTF. "More importantly, we're launching our Recall at City Hall campaign so that taxpayers can boot bad politicians – that's something that will really improve listening skills." 

The city's satisfaction survey showed more Calgarians are demanding spending cuts to tax increases. But instead of listening to the people, council decided to increase property taxes on the typical home by 7.5 per cent and some small businesses by double digits. 

While most public feedback on the arena deal was negative, city council still decided to approve the nearly $300 million deal for the owners of the Calgary Flames. 

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has launched its Recall at City Hall campaign to bring recall rules to municipalities across Alberta. Recall rules would give voters the ability to collect petitions and force by-elections for councillors who are performing poorly. Premier Jason Kenney promised to introduce recall legislation at the provincial level in the United Conservative Party's election platform. 

"Instead of listening to taxpayers and cutting spending, councillors decided to hammer Calgary families with higher tax bills," said Terrazzano. "When the rest of us refuse to listen to our bosses and stink at our jobs, we get canned. Recall rules will make sure local politicians are held to the same standard." 

You can find the CTF's Recall at City Hall campaign petition here.