HOLD THEM TO ACCOUNT
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business released the 11th edition of its annual municipal spending report this week, examining the growth in operational spending by municipal governments in B.C.
The report finds that “overall real municipal spending ” increased by 43 per cent between 2006 and 2016, a period when the province’s population grew by only 12 per cent. That means local politicians in 152 B.C. city halls were, on average, spending your money at nearly four times the rate one should expect from population growth and inflation, the CFIB argues, pointing out that it cost the average family of four nearly $8,000 in property taxes over that decade.
They have a point. Unfortunately, it’s a point too many voters don’t consider enough when deciding whom to support during municipal elections. Election after election, politicians announce new pet projects and policy proposals in attempts to win votes. For some voters, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement.
Unfortunately, all of those shiny new initiatives cost money, especially when layered upon existing programs that never seem to get cut once established.
For instance, perhaps voters in Langley Township should be asking some tough questions about why real adjusted spending there increased by more than 50 per cent between 2006 and 2016, the highest increase among B.C.’s 20 largest communities. New Westminster voters may wish to ponder why the average municipal spending per person in their community is nearly 45 per cent higher than the average for the list of biggest towns.
Then there are the unsustainable levels of compensation being paid to municipal workers and executives. Shouldn’t it be an issue, say, that in Vancouver the compensation for the fire department, police and unionized city workers increased by 39, 36 and 29 per cent, respectively, from 2006 to 2016, when inflation rose only 15 per cent? Whatever the explanations, those kind of increases are simply not sustainable.
With the municipal election being held Oct. 20, it’s time to ask tough questions about which local politicians will take seriously the impact high spending — and therefore high taxes and municipal fees — are having on taxpayers.