• Candidates promise in writing to eliminate carbon tax within 100 days of taking office and balance budget in first term

CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held a press conference in Calgary today with three United Conservative Party leadership candidates; Brian Jean, Jason Kenney and Doug Schweitzer. At the event, the three candidates signed a “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” promising to eliminate the province’s carbon tax and balance the provincial budget if they become premier. (Photo L to R: UCP Candidates Doug Schweitzer and Brian Jean, CTF Interim Alberta Director Colin Craig and UCP Candidate Jason Kenney)

Most importantly, the CTF pledge pins the candidates down on a time frame for the two commitments – elimination of the carbon tax “within 100 days of taking office” and a balanced budget by the end of their first term.

“Eliminating the carbon tax and balancing the budget will help create jobs and get our province’s economy back on track,” said CTF Interim Alberta Director Colin Craig. “These are the top two concerns we hear from our supporters and the general public. We’re pleased to see the three candidates agree to take immediate action on these issues.”

The CTF has used pledge-signing opportunities in the past to pressure politicians to keep their promises. Most recently the CTF’s student wing, Generation Screwed, offered federal Conservative Party leadership candidates, and those running for leader of the federal NDP, an opportunity to sign its balanced budget pledge.

“Politicians know that if they break these promises, the images of them signing the pledges could haunt their political careers,” added Craig.