EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has called on Finance Minister Shirley McClellan to continue with last year's policy of not spending tax dollars to promote the provincial budget.

In 2003, the Alberta government spent $230,000 on radio, television and newspaper advertising to persuade Albertans that the budget was good.

In 2004, plans to spend money on promoting the budget were cancelled at the urging of the CTF.

In a letter to Finance Minister Shirley McClellan, CTF-Alberta director John Carpay writes:

"Last year, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) was pleased to congratulate Premier Klein and the Alberta government on the decision not to spend taxpayers' money on promoting the budget.

Albertans receive ample information on the provincial budget from radio, television and newspaper coverage - without the spending of tax dollars. Albertans who want more information about the budget can obtain it on-line or by contacting their MLA.

In short, there is no reason to spend hundreds of thousands of tax dollars (as was done in 2003) on budget advertising.

On behalf of CTF supporters in Alberta, I ask that your government again refrain from spending taxpayers' money on this kind of advertising."