December 26, 2023 — The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has just dropped its 2023 Naughty and Nice List. Leading the pack on the Naughty List is CBC President and CEO Catherine Tait, who, according to CTF Federal Director Franco Terrazzano, is clinging to executive bonuses while announcing layoffs just weeks before Christmas.
Terrazzano remarked, “It takes a special type of Scrooge to lay off hundreds of employees weeks before the holidays and not be willing to give up your own bonus, but that’s exactly what taxpayers heard from CBC big shots.”
But Tait isn’t alone. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the Naughty List for removing the carbon tax from furnace oil for only three percent of Canadians, leaving 97 percent out in the cold. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston earned his spot by implementing a sneaky income tax hike known as bracket creep.
On the flip side, some politicians have landed on Santa’s Nice List. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is hailed for providing Santa-sized fuel and income tax relief, while the Parliamentary Budget Officer is commended for improving accountability and transparency in Ottawa.
Even on the municipal level, the CTF is dishing out praise and coal. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi find themselves in hot water for hiking taxes while giving themselves a raise. In contrast, the entire Alberta village of Ryley made Santa’s good books for using recall legislation to oust a big-spending politician.
Naughty List Highlights:
- CBC President & CEO Catherine Tait – For clinging to executive bonuses.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – For leaving 97% of Canadians out in the cold with the carbon tax.
- Senator Pierre Dalphond – For making Santa’s milk and cookies more expensive.
- Mayor of Quebec City Bruno Marchand and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim – For hiking taxes on pets.
- Federal Minister of Industry François-Philippe Champagne – For giving billions to multinational corporations.
- Mayor of Calgary Jyoti Gondek and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi – For hiking taxes and their own pay.
- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston – For his bracket creep income tax hike.
- University of Manitoba’s former law dean Jonathan Black-Branch – For racking up half-a-million in expenses.
Nice List Highlights:
- Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew – For the gift of tax relief.
- Liberal MP Ken McDonald – For getting his constituents carbon tax relief.
- Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux – For the gift of government accountability and transparency.
- Alberta’s Village of Ryley – For recalling a big-spending mayor.
The full 2023 Taxpayer Naughty and Nice List can be found here.
As the holiday season unfolds, it seems even Santa is keeping a close eye on the political landscape. If Santa gave some of these politicians coal for Christmas, they might end up taxing themselves. Good thing gifts aren’t taxable in Canada… for now.