CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) sent a letter this morning to Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi demanding an immediate apology and retraction of a false public statement he made about our organization.
In the Wednesday, June 17th edition of the Calgary Sun, in an article by Dave Dormer entitled “Lobby groups says vote should precede new city tax powers,” Mayor Nenshi is quoted suggesting the CTF’s credibility was questionable considering we “spent millions of dollars running the no side” of the recent transit tax referendum in the lower mainland of BC. In fact, the No Translink Tax campaign, run almost entirely by the CTF, spent only $39,687.95. (Photo: Naheed Nenshi is Mayor of Calgary/Foter/CC BY-NC-SA)
“This public statement is completely false and incredibly misleading to the citizens for which Mayor Nenshi works,” said CTF-Alberta Director Paige MacPherson. “For him to question our credibility and cast aspersions upon us while spouting lies, is beyond the pale.”
Ironically, the mayors advocating for the Translink tax hike spent $6 million taxpayer dollars campaigning for the Yes side. Both campaigns’ spending numbers have been widely reported in both local Vancouver and national media.
“Unlike the majority of the money spent by the Vancouver-area mayors, the CTF and the NO campaign are supported by voluntary donations,” MacPherson said. “It is significantly disappointing that our voluntary donors and supporters, as well as the general public, were misled by Mayor Nenshi. These facts are easy to google. It seems it is the mayor’s credibility on the issue that should be questioned.”
Mayor Nenshi has asked for City Charters, which could give the City of Calgary new powers to impose taxes – such as a city sales tax. Unlike in BC, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has not yet called for a citywide referendum on new tax powers. Mayor Nenshi has also not asked for a vote to let Calgarians decide.
Click here to view the letter to Mayor Nenshi.
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For more information:
Alberta Director Paige MacPherson
cell: 403-478-7184, office: 1-800-661-0187, email: [email protected]
The CTF is Canada's leading non-partisan citizens' advocacy group fighting for lower taxes, less waste and accountable government. Founded in 1990, the CTF has more than 84,000 supporters and seven offices across Canada. The CTF is funded by free-will, non tax-receiptable contributions.
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