Alberta’s Taxpayer Protection Act Expansion is Strong Commitment to Taxpayers

LETHBRIDGE, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding the United Conservative Party’s promise to prioritize the expansion of the Taxpayer Protection Act and urging the party to guard against a provincial carbon tax in Alberta.

“The Taxpayer Protection Act is one of the strongest laws protecting taxpayers in North America and it’s why we don’t have a PST,” said Kris Sims, Alberta Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Expanding this law to shield against personal and business tax hikes is a good move because if people know their taxes will not go up, we will have hardworking folks flocking here for the Alberta advantage.”

Currently, the Taxpayer Protection Act requires a government to hold a referendum before it could impose a provincial sales tax on Albertans.

On Wednesday, the UCP pledged to make the Taxpayer Protection Act expansion Bill 1 if re-elected to government. That means it would be the first law the government would pass. The new legislation would require referendums prior to personal and business tax increases.

While expanding the Taxpayer Protection Act is an important step forward, carbon taxes still aren’t included in the legislation. During the premiers debate last week, UCP leader Danielle Smith indicated her party would protect Albertans from a carbon tax without confirming that protection would be enshrined in legislation.

“The Taxpayer Protection Act means politicians have to ask taxpayers before taking more of their money,” said Sims. “Taxpayers deserve the right to vote before a provincial carbon tax is implemented and that needs to be included in Bill 1.”

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