CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation reacted to the Blue Ribbon Panel’s report that shows Alberta taxpayers are being overcharged by $10 billion per year for government services compared to other provinces, such as British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

“Alberta taxpayers are being overcharged by $10 billion every year,” said Franco Terrazzano, Alberta Director for the CTF. “Albertans have been duped into overpaying for a high-cost government. Now we’re drowning in debt. Our politicians need to fix this spending problem immediately, starting with the upcoming budget.”

The Alberta government spends $2,451 per person more than the average of B.C., Ontario and Quebec, according to the Blue Ribbon Panel’s report. This means spending would be $10.4 billion less every year if Alberta’s spending was on par with the average of these comparable provinces.

“In some key areas, in spite of the higher levels of funding, the results achieved are no better and, in some cases, worse than in other provinces,” stated the panel. “The significant gap in spending compared with the three comparison provinces can’t be justified based on a higher cost of living in Alberta.”

If the government continues to overspend, debt interest payments could total $3.7 billion in 2022, according to the panel. This annual interest payment would cost every Albertan about $800, or a family of four $3,200.

“Taxpayers will be forced to send billions of hard-earned dollars in debt interest payments to bond fund managers on Bay Street if this overspending continues,” said Terrazzano. “Albertans are counting on the new government to right past wrongs and stop overcharging taxpayers. If B.C. and Ontario can figure out a way to provide services for less money, why can’t Alberta?”