The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF)describes itself as “a non-partisan, non-profit advocacy organization committed to lower taxes, less waste and more government accountability.” But it takes advantage of the positive associations people often have with the word “taxpayer” and attempts to fill it with neoliberal and anti-Indigenous political ideas.
Throughout my research, I have tracked the CTF. The organization has often been treated with kid gloves when news stories position it as representative of “the taxpayer” — a group of people that don’t exist outside of one’s personal relationship with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Over the years, my research has documented the CTF’s political tactics. In a recently published study in the Canadian Review of Sociology, sociologist Alec Skillings and I collected almost every document the CTF has published on its website from 1998 to 2019 that addressed Indigenous policy — over 400 documents.
These documents ranged from shorter blog posts to press releases and longer reports. We used site searches to narrow down and track when, how and what the CTF wrote about Indigenous Peoples.
In a CTV News clip from 2010, the Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation talks about First Nations Chief’s salaries.
Assimilation in the name of “taxpayers”
Findings from our study show the CTF focused on reducing and eroding the legal differences between Indigenous people and Canadians. Based on its statements, its political mission seems clear: the assimilation of Indigenous people into Canada and creating the appearance that “taxpayers” are abused by Indigenous people.
“The federal government should phase out the Indian Act, the Department of Indian Affairs and all the policies that go with it. Establish private property rights for Indians, develop systems of governance, accountability and transparency, and begin the process of providing Indians with the same rights and responsibilities as other Canadians. The best thing for Indians and Indian communities is to stop treating them as though they are different from other Canadians.”
The CTF argued that the Indian Act was a barrier for equality, using language to disguise what appears to be its assimilative beliefs: “The CTF believes Canadians — all Canadians — are fundamentally alike. Therefore all legislation and government policy must be based on fairness and equality — not race.”
After 2008, the CTF accomplished its goals by focusing on chief salaries and “transparency,” sometimes drawing on tips from band members. Many Indigenous political thinkers saw right through the CTF’s strategy. Hayden King observed that “while taxpayer activism is certainly common, it seems to provoke a special kind of fury when involving Indigenous Peoples.”
None of this is to suggest that First Nations governments are perfect — but the question must be asked: why did the CTF pursue and publicize these kinds of stories? It certainly wasn’t to highlight colonialism and ongoing attacks on Indigenous sovereignty, nor to argue for more support.
This begs the question: Why does the media continue to consult an organization with such a demonstrably and consistently antagonistic relationship with Indigenous people?
Consulting the CTF
When the media consults the CTF, it demonstrates contemporary hostility towards Indigenous nations. Viewing the CTF’s advocacy as whole demonstrates its orientation very clearly.
Despite claiming to be non-partisan, its statements and some of its alumni indicate the CTF stands firmly on the right side of Canada’s political spectrum. Some alumni include current Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and conservative provincial and federal politicians. More recently, a former provincial CTF spokesperson ran for the far right People’s Party of Canada.
The message our research shows is that if Canadian journalists are committed to reconciliation and combating racist myths about Indigenous people, they need to pay more attention to who they consult about Indigenous policy and politics, while being wary of groups like the CTF.
Challenging neoliberal and anti-Indigenous politics can be as simple as asking who gets to be considered a “taxpayer” when the CTF claims to speak on “their behalf.”
Quebec legislature member Youri Chassin has announced he’s leaving the Coalition Avenir Québec government to sit as an Independent.
He announced the decision shortly after writing an open letter criticizing Premier François Legault’s government for abandoning its principles of smaller government.
In the letter published in Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec, Chassin accused the party of falling back on what he called the old formula of throwing money at problems instead of looking to do things differently.
Chassin says public services are more fragile than ever, despite rising spending that pushed the province to a record $11-billion deficit projected in the last budget.
He is the second CAQ member to leave the party in a little more than one week, after economy and energy minister Pierre Fitzgibbon announced Sept. 4 he would leave because he lost motivation to do his job.
Chassin says he has no intention of joining another party and will instead sit as an Independent until the end of his term.
He has represented the Saint-Jérôme riding since the CAQ rose to power in 2018, but has not served in cabinet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
MONTREAL – NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will not be taking advice from Pierre Poilievre after the Conservative leader challenged him to bring down government.
“I say directly to Pierre Poilievre: I’m not going to listen to you,” said Singh on Wednesday, accusing Poilievre of wanting to take away dental-care coverage from Canadians, among other things.
“I’m not going to listen to your advice. You want to destroy people’s lives, I want to build up a brighter future.”
Earlier in the day, Poilievre challenged Singh to commit to voting non-confidence in the government, saying his party will force a vote in the House of Commons “at the earliest possibly opportunity.”
“I’m asking Jagmeet Singh and the NDP to commit unequivocally before Monday’s byelections: will they vote non-confidence to bring down the costly coalition and trigger a carbon tax election, or will Jagmeet Singh sell out Canadians again?” Poilievre said.
“It’s put up or shut up time for the NDP.”
While Singh rejected the idea he would ever listen to Poilievre, he did not say how the NDP would vote on a non-confidence motion.
“I’ve said on any vote, we’re going to look at the vote and we’ll make our decision. I’m not going to say our decision ahead of time,” he said.
Singh’s top adviser said on Tuesday the NDP leader is not particularly eager to trigger an election, even as the Conservatives challenge him to do just that.
Anne McGrath, Singh’s principal secretary, says there will be more volatility in Parliament and the odds of an early election have risen.
“I don’t think he is anxious to launch one, or chomping at the bit to have one, but it can happen,” she said in an interview.
New Democrat MPs are in a second day of meetings in Montreal as they nail down a plan for how to navigate the minority Parliament this fall.
The caucus retreat comes one week after Singh announced the party has left the supply-and-confidence agreement with the governing Liberals.
It’s also taking place in the very city where New Democrats are hoping to pick up a seat on Monday, when voters go to the polls in Montreal’s LaSalle—Émard—Verdun. A second byelection is being held that day in the Winnipeg riding of Elmwood—Transcona, where the NDP is hoping to hold onto a seat the Conservatives are also vying for.
While New Democrats are seeking to distance themselves from the Liberals, they don’t appear ready to trigger a general election.
Singh signalled on Tuesday that he will have more to say Wednesday about the party’s strategy for the upcoming sitting.
He is hoping to convince Canadians that his party can defeat the federal Conservatives, who have been riding high in the polls over the last year.
Singh has attacked Poilievre as someone who would bring back Harper-style cuts to programs that Canadians rely on, including the national dental-care program that was part of the supply-and-confidence agreement.
The Canadian Press has asked Poilievre’s office whether the Conservative leader intends to keep the program in place, if he forms government after the next election.
With the return of Parliament just days away, the NDP is also keeping in mind how other parties will look to capitalize on the new makeup of the House of Commons.
The Bloc Québécois has already indicated that it’s written up a list of demands for the Liberals in exchange for support on votes.
The next federal election must take place by October 2025 at the latest.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is defending her decision to turn off comments on her social media accounts — with an announcement on social media.
She posted screenshots to X this morning of vulgar names she’s been called on the platform, and says comments on her posts for months have been dominated by insults, to the point that she decided to block them.
Montreal’s Opposition leader and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have criticized Plante for limiting freedom of expression by restricting comments on her X and Instagram accounts.
They say elected officials who use social media should be willing to hear from constituents on those platforms.
However, Plante says some people may believe there is a fundamental right to call someone offensive names and to normalize violence online, but she disagrees.
Her statement on X is closed to comments.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
