CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released its fourth annual ‘Taxpayer Naughty & Nice List’ today. Government ministers, MLAs and taxpayer-funded organizations made the lists for either naughtily misusing tax dollars or nicely putting taxpayers first.

“Some people need to be reminded it’s the season for giving, not taking,” said CTF Alberta Director Paige MacPherson. “So we’re doing old Saint Nick a favour and filling him in on who has been naughty and nice to Alberta taxpayers this year.”

The list is determined by policies or communication by government, as well as a CTF assessment of MLA expense claims filed at expenses.alberta.ca.

“The CTF keeps a close eye on government, so we know when they’ve been bad or good,” said MacPherson. “So next year, be good for goodness sake!”

Click here to view the 2015 Alberta Taxpayers Naughty and Nice List.   

NAUGHTY LIST HIGHLIGHTS

• Premier Rachel Notley and Environment Minister Shannon Phillips
• For imposing a massive carbon tax that will do virtually nothing to stop climate change, they get extra ironic lumps of coal in their stockings.

• Finance Minister Joe Ceci
• For hiking a laundry list of taxes immediately after taking office and leaving taxpayers with a mystery bill for hosting expenses without a receipt. It’s the season of giving, not taking!
• UPDATE: The Alberta NDP Caucus informed the CTF that Minister Ceci’s receipts weren’t posted due to “human error” by the Legislative Assembly, but were submitted and are posted now.

• Wildrose MLA Angela Pitt
• For charging taxpayers $115 for a ‘Drive Me Home’ designated drivers ride. We commend not drinking and driving, but it’s naughty to make taxpayers pay for a fun night out.
• UPDATE: Angela Pitt went from naughty to nice when she apologized and informed the CTF she will be repaying this expense in full.

• Former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice
• For taking his snowball and going home after losing the provincial election, sticking taxpayers with an unnecessary $275,000 by-election bill.

• Calgary Flames Owners
• For having the audacity to ask cash-strapped taxpayers to fund their pro sports arena. Deck the halls on your own dime!  
  
  

NICE LIST HIGHLIGHTS

• The No Expenses Club: Opposition leader Brian Jean, Aboriginal Relations Minister Kathleen Ganley, NDP MLA Rod Loyola and NDP MLA Jon Carson
• Charging no MLA expenses is extra nice when tax hikes and unemployment are this year’s ghosts of Christmas present.

• Health Minister Sarah Hoffman
• For questioning frivolous spending by the Alberta School Boards Association when she was Edmonton Public School Board chair.

• Edmonton City Auditor David Wiun
• For exposing multiple cases of waste and mismanagement in Edmonton.

Click here to view the entire 2015 Alberta Taxpayers Naughty and Nice List.   

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For more information:

CTF Alberta Director Paige MacPherson
cell: 403-478-7184, office: 403-475-6207, email: [email protected]