EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today responded to the Second Quarter Fiscal Update, which projects total tax revenues for the current fiscal year at $28.6 billion. This is $5.7 billion higher than the tax revenues projected in March, when Budget 2004-05 was presented in the Legislature.

The Alberta government projects it will collect $893 million from Albertans this fiscal year through the health care premium tax, all of which goes into the government's general revenues. Revenue from the health care premium tax makes up only 3% of the government's revenues. Alberta families with children, earning $35,000 per year or more must pay the full $1,056 annual tax bill. Individuals earning $16,000 per year or more must pay the full $528 annual tax bill.

Spending on government programs is $24.2 billion, which is 90% higher than eight years ago, when Alberta spent $12.7 billion on government programs.

"Politicians have hiked their budget by 90% in just eight years, whereas the after-tax income of Alberta families has gone up only half as much," stated CTF-Alberta director John Carpay.

"There is no need for this government to continue charging Alberta families an extra $1,056 per year with a deceptive tax called health care premiums," continued Carpay.

"Even if oil and gas prices were at average or below-average levels, there would be no need for politicians to collect this extra tax if they controlled their spending," concluded Carpay.

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For more information contact John Carpay at 780-448-0159 or 780-953-4484 (cell).