WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) delivered the first annual "Big Daddy Government" Father's Day award today to Manitoba Premier, Gary Doer. The award, a giant Father's Day card, will be given out annually to the government department or agency in Manitoba that worked the hardest to step in and "father" taxpayers instead of allowing them to make decisions on their own.

This year's award was given to the provincial government for its "vote tax" initiative and the $2 million of taxpayers money it plans on "donating" to fund political parties on behalf of taxpayers.

"This year the provincial government decided Manitobans weren't wise enough to make their own decisions on whether or not to donate money to political parties. So, the government decided to use $2 million of taxpayer money and give it to political parties themselves." said CTF-Manitoba director Colin Craig. "Talk about government knows best. Without their guidance, who knows, we could have decided on our own how to spend that money."

The inscription on the card read:

"Thank you" Big Daddy Government for deciding to take $2 million of taxpayers money and give it to political parties without our consent. Without your guidance, we could have "wasted" the money on ourselves.

This year's runner up was the City of Winnipeg for its new hotel tax.

"The hotel industry came together and decided on creating a fund that they would use to promote tourism." Craig said. "Luckily for taxpayers, the City of Winnipeg came in and pushed them out of the way by introducing an even bigger hotel tax."

Crown corporations, school boards and other government agencies are also eligible for the award. Nominees for next year's Big Daddy Government Father's Day Card can be sent to Colin Craig - [email protected].

A copy of the Big Daddy Government Father's Day Card can be downloaded here.

Big Daddy