TORONTO, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released its pre-budget submission today and will present recommendations to Ontario’s finance minister later this afternoon. The CTF’s proposal includes a five-point plan to focus on core services, scrap failed policies, restrain spending, provide tax relief and increase revenue.

“It’s time for the government to be smart about its budget. They need to stop throwing good money after bad and get rid of programs that have failed the province,” said CTF’s Ontario director Candice Malcolm. “We are calling for smart government and a focused approach at Queen’s Park.”

The CTF’s proposal includes new revenues and savings of over $13 billion, more than enough to balance the budget in 2014. The recommendations also include a legislated debt-repayment schedule to force the government to pay down Ontario’s $272.8 billion provincial debt.

“Instead of shirking responsibility for the debt and kicking the can down the road to future taxpayers, we want a law requiring this government to pay back the debt it has borrowed over the last decade,” said Malcolm.

“The CTF has demonstrated that it is possible to balance the budget and get Ontario back on track,” continued Malcolm. “It’s time for the government to follow our lead.”

“Instead of watching the numbers on the debt clock continue to spiral upwards, the government should listen to taxpayers and make adjustments to their program spending,” said Malcolm. “This will put Ontario back on the right track of economic growth and fiscal responsibility.”  

Copies of the CTF’s pre-budget submission to the Ontario government can be found here: http://taxpayer.com/media/FINAL-%20CTF%20Budget%20Submission%202014.pdf