The time has come for me to move on from the CTF.

I have served the Canadian Taxpayers Federation for nearly six years, first as its National Research Director and then as its Alberta Director. It has been a great honour and I am truly grateful to my colleagues, and most importantly, to the 17,000 supporters here in Alberta who worked hard with me. I’ve stood on the shoulders of those who served in this role before me, like: Scott Hennig, John Carpay, James Forrest, Mitch Gray, Mark Milke and Jason Kenney.

I have fought hard in these years to scrap the gold-plated pension plan for federal MPs, for fiscal responsibility in Alberta, and to hold our provincial government accountable. I believe that we have made a real difference. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

I feel the need to address speculation over the past few weeks as to if I will seek a seat in the Legislative Assembly to represent my community in Calgary. I had been approached about the prospect of doing so, and I did consider it carefully with my wife Emma. We were married just over a month ago and it is difficult to see room for such an endeavor at this time. 2016 is a long way off and while I may give future consideration if circumstances permit, I don’t see it in the cards.

I am currently exploring opportunities in the private sector.  I have asked CTF President Troy Lanigan to begin the process of finding a new Alberta Director to replace me. 

While I am transitioning from the CTF to the private sector, I have every intention of continuing to write and speak about issues of public policy that are important to me as an individual.

To my colleagues at the CTF, and most importantly to the 17,000 supporters of the CTF in Alberta, I thank you for the privilege to have served this organization for the last six years. It has truly been an honour, and a blast.

Auf Wiedersehen,
Derek Fildebrandt