DELTA, BC: Paying down the ever-growing debt and killing the Medical Services Premium (MSP) tax were the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s (CTF) two most significant recommendations to the BC Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

CTF BC Director Jordan Bateman made the presentation to the committee in Delta Thursday afternoon.

“In just four years, the provincial debt has grown from $56.8 billion to $66.5 billion, despite the BC government balancing its operational budget,” said Jordan Bateman, the BC Director of the CTF. “What’s the point of a balanced operational budget if the provincial debt continues to grow? BC needs to make the tough decisions necessary to reduce debt.”

The CTF also continued its campaign to kill the MSP tax, noting its research showing that MSP tax collection costs are skyrocketing, nearly a million payments are overdue, and $340 million dollars in bad debt has had to be written off.

“This government proved in the early 2000s that tax cuts spark economic growth,” said Bateman. “Now is the time to kick-start our economy by scrapping this unfair tax. Eliminating the MSP tax is possible – and would benefit millions of British Columbians.”

The CTF has had several pre-budget recommendations accepted by government in recent years, including:

• Balancing the operational budget four consecutive years
• Disclosing MLA expenses
• Eliminating the Pacific Carbon Trust
• Initiating a government-wide core review
• Cutting the size of the PavCo board of directors

For the CTF’s full pre-budget submission, click HERE.

The bipartisan committee has been tasked by Finance Minister Michael de Jong to travel the province collecting ideas for the 2017-18 provincial budget.