• The Canadian Taxpayers Federation presented its pre-budget submission to the Quebec government;
• Key measures include: ending taxes on taxes, bureaucrat pension reform and proactive disclosure of MNA expenses.

MONTRÉAL, QC – The Canadian Taxpayers Federation submitted its budgetary wish list to the Legault government.

“Quebeckers are tired of paying taxes on top of other taxes just so bureaucrats and politicians can finance their pet projects,” said CTF Quebec Director Renaud Brossard. “It’s time for this government to deliver on its promise and start putting money back into Quebeckers’ pockets.”

The submission listed 10 measures aimed towards lowering taxes, reducing waste and making the government more accountable to its constituents.

Amongst the measures proposed on taxation, the CTF is calling for an end to taxes on taxes, a practice which charges GST and QST on taxes included in the price of certain goods such as beer and gasoline.

“When Quebeckers fill up their tanks, they are paying millions of dollars in sales taxes that are charged on taxes already embedded in the price at the pump,” said Brossard. “Governments shouldn’t be taxing us on the taxes we have to pay to them.”

Amongst the measures proposed to fight waste, the CTF demands that the government switch government employee pensions from defined benefits plans, which put the risk on taxpayers, to RRSP-like defined contributions plans.

“Current government employee pensions are shifting the risk from bureaucrats to everyday taxpayers,” said Brossard. “It’s unfair to expect the average tax-paying Quebecker, who doesn’t have a pension, to bail-out government employee pension funds.”

Amongst the measures proposed to increase accountability, the CTF is asking the government to put MNA expenses and receipts in an easily searchable online database.

“Quebec is only one of four provinces where citizens cannot access their elected officials’ expenses,” said Brossard. “If taxpayers are to be expected to cover an MNA’s lunch, they should at least know what they’re paying for.”

You can find all 10 recommendations and access the full report by clicking on the following link: http://www.taxpayer.com/media/Soumission%20pr%C3%A9-budg%C3%A9taire.pdf

-30-

Renaud Brossard
Quebec Director, CTF
cell : 514-743-2883
email : [email protected]
Twitter : @renaudbrossard