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Canadians Urge Ottawa to Avoid Higher Taxes in Budget

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Over 93% of Canadians who called in to a televised, interactive program organized by the Reform Party urged the federal government to hold the line on taxes while reducing spending substantially in most departments. The program, which allowed viewers to dial in and vote on their preferred budget model, was the latest attempt by the Reform Party to pressure the federal Liberals to cut spending more aggressively in the upcoming budget. The party's leader, Preston Manning, stated that Canadians need to make serious cuts to tackle the deficit, while other panelists argued that higher taxes and economic growth would bring down the deficit with greater compassion.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 93% of callers to the Reform Party's televised program voted for a budget model that calls for holding the line on taxes while reducing spending substantially in most departments.
  • The model, which is the Reform Party's preferred option, includes reducing spending in most departments.
  • Duncan Cameron, president of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, argued that higher taxes and economic growth would bring down Canada's deficit as quickly as cuts but would do so with greater compassion.
  • Michael Walker, executive director of the Fraser Institute, responded that Canada needs to pare back spending while it still has time to do so voluntarily.
  • The Reform Party sponsored a similar program last weekend, "National Tax Alert," which urged Ottawa to take an axe to spending and refrain from raising taxes.
  • The party will release an alternative budget tomorrow and intends to introduce a deficit-reduction bill in the House of Commons next month.
  • Diane Francis, editor of The Financial Post, argued in favour of deep cuts, stating that only those on Wall Street and Bay Street would benefit from a status quo budget.
  • The Reform Party's leader, Preston Manning, stated that Canadians need to make serious cuts to tackle the deficit.

Statistics:

  • Over 93% of callers voted for a budget model that calls for holding the line on taxes while reducing spending substantially in most departments.
  • The Reform Party's preferred budget model includes reducing spending in most departments.
  • 10,000 callers participated in the Reform Party's "National Tax Alert" program last weekend.
  • 200 people were in the studio audience for last night's program.
  • The Reform Party aims to cut $25 billion in spending over the next three years.

Sources:

  • Calgary Herald, SCOTT FESCHUK, Alberta Bureau. Byline: SCOTT FESCHUK Calgary AB -- BY SCOTT FESCHUK Alberta Bureau CALGARY The Reform Party invited Canadians last night to slip on the shiny new shoes traditionally sported by the federal Finance Minister on budget day and recommend a fiscal course for the federal government.

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