Michael Binnion, president and CEO of the Calgary-based oil and gas firm Questerre Energy, was added to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's (CTF) TaxFighter Honour Roll Thursday night..The CTF's TaxFighter Award — a tradition dating back to 1996 — celebrates individuals who have "contributed greatly to the cause of taxpayer emancipation," said CTF President Scott Hennig..The CTF is a not-for-profit citizen's group focused on government accountability and advocates for lower taxes and less waste. .The ceremony was held in Calgary Thursday night honouring Binnion, who is "one of those rare individuals who has dedicated his time, energy, and resources to defending free markets, reducing red tape and unshackling taxpayers," said Hennig ."He has served as chair of the board of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, chair of the Canada Strong and Free Network, and he founded the Modern Miracle Network."."When Michael sees a need in the marketplace of ideas, he doesn't just complain about it, he does something about it." .Canada Strong and Free Network — formerly the Manning Centre for Building Democracy — "supports Canada’s conservative movement by networking best practices and ideas pertaining to limited government, free enterprise, individual responsibility and a more robust civil society," said the organization's website. .Modern Miracle Network is a company dedicated to investing in advancing hydrocarbon technology. .Although the CTF has typically been hard on those in government, several high-profile politicians contributed congratulatory messages in a video played during the event, including former Prime Ministers' Stephen Harper (2006-2015) Paul Martin (2003-2006) and Preston Manning — former leader of the Reform Party of Canada that has evolved into today's Conservative Party of Canada, and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. .Harper called Binnion and his wife Maria "great friends." He also described him as "tenacious" and "determined" and said he has "done an awful lot for the cause of good government, good use of taxpayers money" and said he deserved to win the TaxFighter Award.."I can't think of anybody in Canada more deserving of being called a tax fighter," said Kenney calling Binnion his good friend. .He thanked Binnion for all he has done and given back to Canada. .Manning called him a "big thinker on a number of fronts" and said Binnion has been "an enormous benefit" on any project he contributed to with the Manning Centre. .Martin said he always enjoyed Binnion's hospitality and said he was "delighted to confirm that not only does Michael care about indigenous Canada, but he doesn't hesitate to spread the word." .When asked what the award meant to him, Binnion told the Western Standard "it was touching" that he was being recognized by the CTF and said the "intimate, genuine compliments from people that I just have so much respect for, to think that they were saying such nice things about me was incredible."
