REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is blasting Saskatchewan's 2007 budget for spending $700 million more than it collects in revenues. This will be the fourth deficit recorded by this government since Premier Calvert took office six years ago.

Spending is up nine per cent over last year and nearly 40 per cent since 2001.

"It's astounding that the government would run massive deficits at a time when revenues are higher than ever before in the province's history," said CTF Saskatchewan director David MacLean. "This budget is the most irresponsible since the 2004 budget that raised taxes for everyone."

The big winners from this budget are seniors and recent college graduates. For college grads the government is allowing the first $20,000 of income for each of the first five years to be tax free. This initiative will save graduates as much $5,000 over five years. Post-secondary graduates earn more on average than non-post-secondary graduates."

"Let's get this straight," said MacLean. "Average working people in the province - who already pay through their taxes the bulk of university tuition - will be pay even more to subsidize college students after they graduate. That's patently unfair. If the NDP wants to attract people to the province they should cut taxes for everyone."

Budget 2007 also introduces a program that caps prescription drug costs at $15 per month for all seniors over 65.

"Establishing this kind of entitlement when the Saskatchewan population is declining and the budget is in deficit is lunacy," said MacLean. "With drug costs growing by double digits every year, there's no way taxpayers should be asked to take on this responsibility. It's one thing to help low-income seniors, but quite another to provide blanket age exemptions regardless of need."

"The NDP should go back to the drawing board and bring forward a more responsible budget," added MacLean.