Tax Talk with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation

$600,000,000,000.00. That's a lot of zeroes.

Canada's national debt hit $600 billion late Saturday night, Nov. 24, 2012, a mind-boggling record. That's more than $17,200 for every man, woman and child in Canada.

In this episode, CTF B.C. Diector Jordan Bateman brings you coverage of CTF Federal Director Gregory Thomas's news conference with the Ottawa press gallery on Nov. 23. Hear his five minute speech, and then 15 minutes of follow-up questions from reporters. It's a little behind-the-scenes glimpse into what the CTF does.

Plus our usual Comment and Stat of the Cast!

Abbotsford Ratepayers Association president and Today Media publisher VInce Dimanno joins host (and CTF B.C. Director) Jordan Bateman to talk about federal, provincial, and city government advertising. Does it work? Should taxpayers be paying for this nonsense? We also touch on Vince's legal battle to get the City of Abbotsford's contract with the Heat AHL franchise overturned. Currently, Abbotsford property taxpayers are on the hook for every penny of the Heat's losses--$3.5 million over three years and going up annually. Plus our Comment and Stat of the Cast!

CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig joins host (and B.C. Director) Jordan Bateman to talk about the CTF's work to reveal how much reserve politicians are being paid across Canada--more than 50 of whom were paid more than the Prime Minister! Colin's work has sparked legislation currently before the House of Commons which would make this information public. Also: our Comment and Stat of the Cast!

This week on CTF Tax Talk--federal director Gregory Thomas joins host (and B.C. director) Jordan Bateman to talk about the tapxayers' big win on MP pension reform, the CTF's innovative and remarkable campaign to get these pensions on the public agenda, and what happens next. Plus our Comment and Stat of the Cast!

CTF B.C. Director Jordan Bateman is joined by CTF VP Scott Hennig to talk about the controversial Edmonton arena project, where billionaire Oilers owner Darryl Katz is trying to get taxpayers to pay more than three quarters of the bill for a proposed $450 million arena. Scott and the CTF have led the fight against this mess, which will have repercussions across Canada, if approved.

Scott and Jordan also touch on election finance transparency--a key issue as Katz donated $430,000 to the election campaing of the governing Progressive Conservative party in Alberta.

Plus our Comment and Stat of the Cast!

It's the first edition of Tax Talk from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, hosted by CTF British Columbia Director Jordan Bateman. Featuring an interview with CTF Alberta Director Derek Fildebrandt on MLA expenses and pensions, along with our comment and stat of the week.

Why are B.C. MLAs reneging on their promise to post expense receipts? Why are Alberta MLAs pondering a RRSP plan that will be 100% funded by taxpayers?