CALGARY, AB: The Ghost of Christmas Waste tops the Taxpayer Naughty List for billing taxpayers $6,000 per night on a single hotel room during the Queen’s funeral.

“Taxpayers were visited by the Ghost of Christmas Waste this year,” said Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the CTF. “Someone spent $6,000 per night on a hotel room but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won’t say who it was so this mysterious waste continues to haunt taxpayers.”

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem made the Taxpayer Naughty List for giving central bankers $45 million in bonuses and raises during the pandemic and as inflation took off. Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer also landed in Santa’s bad books for spending $8,000 on a private plane to fly from Regina to North Battleford.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston made the Taxpayer Nice List for recalling the legislature to freeze MLA pay and cut his own pay by more than $11,000. The Parliamentary Budget Officer also made the Taxpayer Nice List for improving accountability and transparency in Ottawa.

“Governor General Mary Simon landed in Santa’s bad books for getting an early start on the festivities and billing taxpayers for her fancy airplane feasts in March,” said Kris Sims, Alberta Director of the CTF. “Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is keeping more money in families’ pockets this year, and so are the premiers in New Brunswick and Ontario. That fills taxpayers with joy.”

You can read the full Taxpayer Naughty and Nice List here.

Taxpayer Naughty List:

• The Ghost of Christmas Waste
• Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland
• Governor General Mary Simon
• Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault
• Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem
• Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer

Taxpayer Nice List:

• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
• Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston
• New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs
• Ontario Premier Doug Ford
• Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux

- 30 -