WINNIPEG: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded with mixed emotions today to news that Tax Freedom Day for Canada occurs tomorrow, June 28th and for Manitoba was June 24th. Manitoba's ranking fell by three days from last year when Tax Freedom Day fell on June 21st.

According to Fraser calculations (www.fraserinstitute.ca), Canadians will work until tomorrow, June 28th to pay the total tax bill imposed by all three levels of government. "Manitobans started working for themselves on June 24th, but this is still well behind provinces like Saskatchewan (June 21st), Alberta (June 15th) and even the four Maritime Provinces," stated provincial director Adrienne Batra. "Our record has gotten worse as taxpayers are continuing to pay for government's insatiable appetite for more and more of our money, " added Batra.

Even though income taxes fell marginally in 2003, the average Manitoba family paid higher property taxes, liquor and tobacco taxes and higher vehicle registration fees. "As long as the government continues to overspend and collect excessive fees, taxpayers will toil away for a longer part of the year."

"From January 1st to April 9th, Manitobans paid for Jean Chretien's legacy, April 13th to June 12th Premier Gary Doer received almost half of our salaries and June 14th to June 24th Mayor Glen Murray received final payment, concluded Batra.