WEST VANCOUVER: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and the Interested Taxpayers' Action Committee (ITAC) released today the Ratepayers Association Template to give citizens in municipalities a tool to curb local government spending sprees and stop escalating property taxes.
"Property taxes are spiraling out-of-control in B.C. because municipal governments refuse to rein-in spending, but local ratepayers can bring accountability back to local governments," said Maureen Bader, B.C. director of the CTF. "The Ratepayers Association Template is modeled on the success of ITAC, a group that has stopped property tax hikes in West Vancouver."
"ITAC provides an example of how people can make a difference at the local level," said David Marley, ITAC co-founder. "We hope that our organization can serve as a model for other groups wanting to hold local governments to account."
Between 2002 and 2008, municipal spending in B.C. rose by almost 50 per cent and property taxes rose by 37 per cent, during a period when inflation rose by about 12 per cent and population by 8.5 per cent. In 2008, B.C. municipalities spent almost $400 million just to pay the interest on their debt.
"The specter of ever-rising property taxes resulting from government spending sprees has already motivated citizens to band together in other municipalities," said Bader. "This Template will assist citizens across B.C. to let local governments know their account is overdrawn."
"The West Vancouver example shows the battle is won in steps," said Marley. "The hold on property tax increases in West Vancouver was accomplished by convincing the majority of council that the District could maintain or enhance services without raising taxes."
The Ratepayer Association Template can be downloaded at:
taxpayer.com.
For further information please contact:
Maureen Bader, B.C. Director
604-608-6770 (office)
604-999-3319 (cell)
David Marley, ITAC
604-970-1258
Backgrounder
For Immediate Release
June 15, 2010
A number of individuals across the province will utilize the Template to assist in their efforts to make local governments more accountable.
Penticton
Dan Albas, City Councillor
ph. 250-486-2199
email:
danalbas@shaw.ca
Nelson
Al Dawson
ph. 250-825-9950
email:
ad9950@telus.net
Abbotsford
Vince Dimano
ph. 778-552-4007
email:
vince@deepbluecreative.com
