click here for survey results

- Five party leaders want to scrap the health care premium tax
- Citizens' initiative legislation receives broad support across party lines
- Results will be sent to CTF supporters in all 83 provincial ridings

EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released the results of its election questionnaire, which was sent to candidates from six political parties in 83 ridings. The CTF asked Liberal, Progressive Conservative, New Democratic, Alberta Alliance, Social Credit and Green Party candidates the following three questions:

1. Do you support abolishing the health care premium tax for all Albertans, without raising other taxes

2. Do you support citizens' initiative legislation, giving Albertans the right to initiate and vote in referendums on issues which they consider important

3. Do you support taxpayer protection legislation, by which no tax increases or new taxes would go into effect without the approval of Albertans in a referendum

The candidate survey results will be posted at www.taxpayer.com and will also be sent to CTF supporters in all 83 provincial ridings.

In response to the first question, 296 candidates said "yes" to abolishing the health care premium tax. These 296 include candidates from all six parties, and the leaders of the Green, Liberal, NDP, Alberta Alliance and Social Credit parties. Every provincial riding has at least three candidates who oppose this tax, and in some ridings as many as five candidates.

In response to the second question, 219 candidates expressed support for citizens' initiate legislation, including the leaders of the Liberal, Alberta Alliance and Social Credit parties. As with the first question, those who said "yes" include candidates from all six parties. In response to the third question, 132 candidates support taxpayer protection legislation - at least one candidate in every provincial riding.

A 2001 Environics poll revealed that 79% of Albertans want legislation which gives them the right to initiate and vote in referendums on issues important to them. A 2002 JMCK poll revealed that 83% of Albertans support taxpayer protection legislation.