REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the Saskatchewan government to scrap a partisan, taxpayer-funded advertising campaign.

The campaign, which includes radio, television and print advertising is set to cost $444,500 and run until the end of May. The ads are not scheduled to appear outside Saskatchewan.

The ads highlight some of the initiatives in the most recent provincial budget including the tool tax credit for apprentices and business tax relief.

"There is absolutely no need for a taxpayer-funded campaign such as this," said CTF Saskatchewan director David MacLean. "On budget day, every major media outlet was represented on the rotunda of the legislature and the speech was carried live on television. How much more exposure do they need "

Pre-election advertising
"With a by-election expected in June, this whole campaign smacks of politics," added MacLean. "The New Democratic Party should be paying for this campaign, and not the Saskatchewan taxpayer. This is "Our Future is Wide Open" all over again."

"This campaign is nothing more than political propaganda," said MacLean. "If it wasn't, the ads would be honest and mention forecast deficits, handouts to movie companies and corporate welfare for meat companies.