GUEST COLUMN: $955-million budget for 2022 Commonwealth Games just an illusion
Too much, too soon: ’s rushed 2022 Commonwealth Games bid panned BY Bob Mackin, Vancouver Freelance Journalist, Stan Bartlett of the Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria took one...
12 Questions to ask Victoria’s 2022 Games Bid Committee
Join the conversation on Grumpy$ Facebook If accepted, this bid for a mega-sports event will cost at least $1-billion, the most expensive project in the history of Victoria and...
CRD board failing taxpayers in its lack of due diligence on 2022 Commonwealth Games bid
AUGUST NEWSLETTER CRD board failing taxpayers in its lack of due diligence When you buy a car – a serious financial decision for most families – you talk to...
Urgent Memo to Provincial Election Candidates: Half a century on, CRD steeped in myths
Back in 1966, when colour television was first introduced to Canada, Montreal-born actor William Shatner debuted in the science fiction series Star Trek. There were fewer than 60,000 residents...
Federal PILTs anchor municipal finances: Esquimalt, Metchosin, Colwood biggest beneficiaries
In 2015, federal payments in lieu of taxes in the Capital region totaled $29-million or per cent of the total municipal revenues including surplus, according to Public Works...
High Ho, it’s off to w-o-r-k we go: Regional operating budgets approach $1-billion
Updated to Jan 5, 2017 It’s the start of a new year so the debate about higher tax rates begins in what amounts to an ‘annual $1-billion mega project’...
Budget woes in Saanich – How much can the taxpayer take?
The recently released report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, titled, BC Municipal Spending Watch 2016, was released , 2016. This report discusses the topics I, and others,...
Saanich councillor’s pay adds up – Revenue Canada tax free expense allowance gives boost
This is the second in an occasional series of profiles on the remuneration – often not readily transparent to the taxpayer – our local politicians receive for their efforts....
REALITY CHECK: Vital Signs, Greater Victoria’s 2016 annual checkup, needs improvements
The question, ‘Does the 11th consecutive community checkup Vital Signs by the Victoria Foundation reflect the reality of Greater Victoria?’, must be asked. The survey takes 12 main issues ...
North Saanich damage settlement after shabby treatment of senior staffer
As a result of a freedom of information request additional clarity has emerged about the voluntary damage settlement given by North Saanich council to a staffer for his shabby...