Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria

FILE UPDATED JUNE 29, 2024 City taxpayers are wondering if it’s just a matter of time before councillors get their outrageous 25 percent pay hike this year. To date, since…

Exhaustion has set in after 20 years of talk and we’re likely going to dive off a five-metre platform and plunge into the deep-end of an Olympic-sized pool. To replace…

City council has heard loud and clear from residents who don’t want local politicians setting their own compensation. Who could forget the hullabaloo over a proposed 25% pay hike before…

Two months later, informal complaint still unanswered On March 27 Grumpy Taxpayer$ asked if Mayor Marianne Alto or a member of council would file a complaint against one of their…

When a parent stands by watching children year-after-year throw sand in each other’s face, what‘s the owner of a daycare to do? The parent, that‘s the provincial government, is responsible…

Commentary by Bev Highton, board member with Grumpy Taxpayer$ The Association for Responsible and Environmentally Sustainable Sewage Treatment (ARREST) formed in 2012 might be saying “we told you so.” An…

If you live in downtown Victoria and are frequently awakened in the middle of the night, you quickly learn to distinguish different emergency vehicles. Fire trucks belt out a cascading…

Council talking to taxpayers after the fact First there’s a cart. City council in Victoria is meeting April 18 (today) with plans for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings of…

“I think this process has gone on long enough,” Victoria Coun. Jeremy Caradonna said at the city’s committee of the whole meeting on March 14. It’s not surprising that Victoria…

Province about to reduce their role, time commitment Why on earth do city councillors think they need to work full-time and get a 25 percent wage increase? To look at…

The letter of the law was followed, but not the spirit of the law. Taxpayers are asking whether it’s good governance for city council in Victoria to all of a…

Why doesn’t the city bill the CRD for policing? A fractured policing model costing $800 million annually continues to make law enforcement in the capital region more expensive and less…

Council has given itself a 25 percent raise and city taxpayers can’t help but think it’s an early April Fools’ Day joke. Let’s get this straight for the record. Council…

Just moved to Greater Victoria? Just saw your latest tax bill and are gobsmacked? Just coming out of hiding after suffering an existential crisis because of the pandemic and climate…

We would never encourage taxpayers to toss bales of tea into the Victoria harbour at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. But the way things are going, there’s at least…

The CRD is facing new allegations of noncompliance which, if confirmed, will invalidate the Alternative Approval Process (“AAP”) that ended Feb. 5, 2024 and will effect about 332,000 eligible electors.…

MEDIA COVERAGE: Future of $48.5M project uncertain after errors found in Nanaimo borrowing process: The news comes as the Capital Regional District faces criticism for its own alternative-approval process to…

Did your property tax and fees compare favorably to other municipalities from 2019- 2023? What’s next in 2024? Do house taxes and fees in the capital region really need to…

Outsized property tax increases proposed in the capital region over the next five years are unsustainable and a new way of doing business is critical if municipalities are to provide…

The alternative approval process for the CRD to authorize the borrowing of $85-million for land assembly, housing and land banking service leaves much to be desired. If 10 per cent…

There’s nothing like a debate about city council pay to hear differing views and make taxpayers frisky. Despite their avowed objective to engage and consult constituents, most politicians usually don’t…

Despite municipalities restricting taxpayers from codes of conduct Some local politicians lack trust and are terrified of the pesky public making complaints about councils under newly minted codes of conduct.…

UPDATE ON LANGFORD: Langford council has made an amendment to the Draft Five-Year Financial Plan (p. 105) to update the document to ensure all budget documents are transparent and user-friendly.…

A municipal taxpayer’s belated letter to Santa Dear Santa, After delivering gifts around a troubled world I expect you have your feet up and are still recovering in front of…

Spend almost $12 Million on Centennial Square upgrade or invest more to upgrade the dreadful city roads Editor’s Note: An earlier version of the story indicated costs of Centennial Square…

Victoria council’s new code of conduct is a good start but in light of recent events, the council may find it needs to go much further. Since incorporation in 1862…

Council procedure bylaws need changes Municipal watchdog Grumpy Taxpayer$ is urging the City of Victoria to amend council procedure bylaws to ensure certified minutes are available to the public in…

Why such a large South Island delegation? Langford taxpayers paid twice for FCM conference meals Langford residents wonder why they were double billed for council meals at the Federation of…

We are pleased the CRD Governance Committee has deferred its discussion of the wobbly staff report Code of Conduct – Next Steps prior to it going to the full board.…

Councils must cope with a bad case of collywobbles A commentary by Stan Bartlett, the vice-chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria, a non-partisan citizens advocacy group for municipal taxpayers.…

It’s enough to make you turn over in your grave. On several occasions during the week of Sept. 11 and 18 there were up to three illegal campers sheltering by…

CFAX interview between host Adam Sterling and chair John Treleaven https://www.iheartradio.ca/cfax-1070/podcasts/code-of-conduct-victoria-city-council-1.20297378 It’s curious that contentious issues facing a municipal council are often dealt with late in the afternoon just before…

Why don’t municipalities receive provincial compensation for responding to medical calls? Unfair local tax burden to be debated by UBCM Grumpy Taxpayer$ supports the UBCM resolution calling for the province…

KPMG Report forecasts $1.028 billion in capital expenditures by 2031 Residents and business owners in Saanich may want to start following the money. An alarming 2022 KPMG document with the…

Local governments need to strengthen efforts to support the ‘Silver Tsunami,’ the large number of baby boomers reaching or approaching retirement. It comes as no surprise that one person in…

Reverse ill-advised, unworkable city decision Victoria’s city council has breached the trust of voters under its proposed code of conduct by shutting out the general public from making complaints directly…

EDITOR’S NOTE: On Aug. 3 city council voted to proceed with a code of conduct and staff will report back in the early fall. But, contrary to the recommendations of…

Consistent treatment of all council complaints needed Grumpy Taxpayer$ calls on the City of Victoria and the Capital Regional District to establish a regional integrity commissioner to administer complaints against…

The bucolic small town of Trento in northern Italy is worth visiting for the beautiful alpine scenery, imposing medieval structures, charming houses, and fascinating museums. It’s also home to the…

Implications for municipalities across the region – Incisive city governance review makes thirty recommendations EDITOR’S NOTE: Council received the Governance Report about two weeks prior to council on July 27,…

Salt Spring Islanders elect four commissioners Everyone knows that 100 is the number of years in a century, the boiling temperature of water at sea level, the number of centimetres…

CFAX INTERVIEW – Chair John Treleaven is interviewed by Adam Stirling of CFAX, Hour 3 on June 14, 2023. Watchdog files complaint under Community Charter The municipal watchdog Grumpy Taxpayer$…

Class-action suit donation against Big Oil about $12,500 It’s not only the flowers that are blossoming in the annual Best in Bloom contest in View Royal, but also the tax…

On what basis was an estimated $300,000 severance given to the CA0 of North Saanich? When will the taxpayer see the benefit of that extremely expensive decision? Will a new…

CFAX INTERVIEW – Host Ryan Price of CFAX interviews Colin Nielsen, board member with Grumpy Taxpayer$ and vice chair of Amalgamation Yes. They discuss what consolidating fire services would look…

Most residents are proud to be paying taxes in the capital region to support their high quality of life. The only thing is – to borrow a phrase – most…

Meet the City of Victoria’s limited-edition for 2023 In recognition of hardworking city taxpayers, the municipal watchdog Grumpy Taxpayer$ is releasing a six-pack of virtual and limited-edition trading cards featuring…

Hope springs eternal for those who keep an eye on local government. Dust-ups in Harrison Hot Springs and Lions Bay prompted the province to just hire two outside municipal advisers…

When local politicians gather for coffee and a nickel falls on the floor – or so the story goes – heads bump together in the dizzying rush to pick it…

A quarter century ago, the province and 21 Metro Vancouver mayors created ‘Translink’ under the authority of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act. The mayors recognized the obvious…

MNP Governance Review recommendations continue to languish on a dusty shelf After months of delays there’s still no indication exactly when city council will take action on a governance report…

‘Unhelpful message’: Taxpayers’ group upset Central Saanich mayor’s pay could jump 59%, Peninsula News review, Feb. 23, 2023. Central Saanich council set to approve a 70% wage increase Did you…

Dated cost estimates vary wildly The only time our second longest serving prime minister came to BC was Aug. 13, 1886, when he drove the last spike near Shawnigan Lake…

Tax-and-spend budget rejected The city’s current tax-and-spend 2023 budget proposal of almost seven percent demonstrates a stunning lack of fiscal discipline and situational awareness, says municipal watchdog Grumpy Taxpayer$. After…

For most people a rainy day account means a few hundred or thousand dollars tucked away in savings for occasional or unexpected expenses such as car repairs, a new roof…

EDITOR NOTES: On Feb. 6, Metchosin council will table a draft budget with a 11.7 per cent tax increase. Unless city council sharpens their pencils, the poorest amongst us in…

Transparency often lacking around surprising surcharges Popular Hermann’s Jazz Club hits the right notes when the first words on their website prominently declare ‘Our prices include all tax and fees.’…

Various policy and financial modifications Councils across the region are facing stiff headwinds this spring when they sit down to debate police budgets. In turn, depending on where they live,…

What is going on at the City of Victoria? That’s the question most Victoria taxpayers are asking after learning of a proposed 8.99 per cent property tax increase in 2023.…

Most city park toilets substandard requiring $13-$14-million in upgrades, renovations Residents are wondering why most city washrooms are substandard and in shambles and now need $13-14 million in upgrades and…

Langford fast-tracks a bylaw taking 72 hours or less It’s evident that good governance of a city includes letting the taxpayer weigh-in thoroughly on bylaws which impact their lives. The…

Colwood and Saanich also recognized Drum roll, please! The civic watchdog Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria has awarded VicPD top honours in its 7th Annual Candy Cane Awards for providing…

BY John Treleaven, Chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria, 2022 Chair’s Report at Annual general Meeting As our seventh year begins, we look back with gratitude and forward withconfidence.…

Collective action needed to improve pathetic voter turnout CRD should lead a broad community dialogue Collective action will be essential to bolster voter turnout in future civic municipal elections, according…

Who doesn’t agree we need a transportation authority? Can a region of 420,000 survive with no coherent funding approach to urban transportation? Our political leaders in the thirteen sovereign neighbourhood…

Politicians giving themselves huge wage increases A lot of people are struggling these days, after coming out of a multi-year pandemic only to be hit by a cost-of-living crisis. They…

You need empathy for taxpayers, those unflappable humanoids who are normally calm, stoic, even wiry and immune to any privation. Especially now during a municipal election, when it’s your time…

When a note under your windshield wiper says ‘Parking Fine’, they are not complimenting your driving ability. It’s no laughing matter for municipalities when millions of dollars worth of unpaid…

Before first light at 5 a.m. four years ago, this scribe witnessed a work crew assemble in front of city hall and spirit away the statue of gin-loving Sir John…

Few buy into reconciliation fundraiser Update July 14, 2022. While very few residents have contributed to the city’s reconciliation contribution fund, that doesn’t reflect on the public support for reconciliation…

City of Victoria well-represented with ‘Teddy Awards’ While the City of Victoria wasn’t recognized this year for wasting municipal tax dollars, it has in the recent past been well-represented at…

Are Victoria’s trading cards terrific treasures or trash? To commemorate the last four years of the current city council we are launching an unlimited edition of trading cards to draw…

BACKGROUND: CFAX Interview with Ryan Price and John Treleaven, chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$, 30 May 2022 https://www.iheartradio.ca/cfax-1070/audio/business-case-for-rail-on-vancouver-island-deserves-serious-consideration-1.17902824 Cost estimated at $431 Million in 2023 dollars The Island Corridor Foundation released…

“A Path Forward” analysis on regional policing released by Grumpy Taxpayer$ Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria urges the province to consider the consolidation of police services following its own analysis…

Judgment day for local politicians is a few months away, and voters are already getting a little twitchy. It’s never easy figuring out who should come and who should go,…

STAN BARTLETT A commentary by the vice-chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria, a citizens’ advocacy group for municipal taxpayers. Taxpayers in Saanich live in interesting times, which are about…

Howls of protest expected City council is considering a bylaw that all dogs be painted white to improve road safety because they could then be seen more easily at night.…

Lots of questions for mayor and council All Victorians share the concern over the pace of reconciliation with our First Nations neighbours. A very vigorous national debate on the report…

Regional taxpayers paid a total of $3.3 million in salaries and expenses for the 13 municipal councils and the Capital Regional District in 2020, according to an analysis by Grumpy…

It’s that time of the year when you start checking under your couch cushions for cash to help pay annual property taxes. Most ratepayers don’t mind paying property taxes for…

By all accounts there are more potholes than usual during this winter season – there has been excess moisture and frequent freeze-thaw conditions – but not all that unusual for…

City of Langford has released the 2022 financial disclosures of mayor and council as required as required by the provincial Financial Disclosure Act. The legislation is designed to prevent and…

REVISED JAN. 6, 2022 Are you getting good value for your property tax dollar? It’s early January and that can mean only one thing, it’s the start of tax season…

Group questions $580,000 severance package for former Saanich CAO, Times Colinist, Dec. 28, 2021. FOI request: CAO eligible for $579,760 in severance While accolades may be deserved for its award-winning…

Nothing gets the blood boiling more than having our electoral faith broken by misbehaving councillors or regional directors. What do Sooke taxpayers do when a councillor has missed 30 per…

RE Download of Costs for RCMP E-Comm 9-1-1 Dispatch to South Island Municipalities Island mayors warn of tax hikes and service cuts if 911 costs are passed on to their…

Is Greater Victoria ready for a catastrophic event? BY GEORGE BARNHART, BOARD MEMBER, GRUMPY TAXPAYER$ If Santa is still making a list, we hope he checks it twice and adds…

Hotdog, shiitake mushroom, bah humbug, kale or sardine flavoured candy canes, rejected for traditional and cheaper peppermint canes Congratulations to the City of Langford which grabbed top honours for improving…

Grumpy Taxpayer$ depends on your financial support in every season. We are a citizen’s advocacy group, and a non-profit group run by volunteers. If you like what we are doing…

A free-spending and weary city council is proposing an over-ambitious $361.8 Million consolidated budget in the last year of their term. Rather than ‘setting the table for the future’, as…

VIEW GEORGE CUFF KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Delivered by ZOOM at the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria, presentation 30 minutes followed by questions and answers running…

27 per cent of major roads in poor or fair condition, 34 per cent of local roads in poor or fair condition Council should allocate more funds in the proposed…

A reconciliation tax quickly escalates to millions annually, proposal must go to fall 2022 referendum It won’t take long before the city’s proposed reconciliation tax for Songhees and Esquimalt First…

EDITOR’S NOTE: In the Times Colonist story (Nov. 5, 2021) ‘View Royal Council could add two seats“, it’s reported following public push back an expansion of council was rejected in…

Like him or not, there’s no denying that Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt involves residents, stirs passions and sparks heated discussion on municipal issues. The latest dust-up is around a video…

Increasing violent criminal activity in recent months highlights the need for a broad-based approach to restore public safety in our wonderful community. Municipal politicians will be spanked in next year’s…

Two chronically absent Sooke councillors should resign The absentee rate of 30 per cent for Coun. Ebony Logins and 24 per cent for Coun. Megan McMath, appears to be another…

Taxpayers in Victoria have already dug deep into their pockets to pay for damages and security as a result of campers during the pandemic, and will likely fork over $1…

If local politicians really believed in fiscal accountability they would create the position of independent regional auditor general to impartially watch the 13 local jurisdictions, says the Grumpy Taxpayer$ of…

Do councils know the role of the chief administrative officer is non-political, non-partisan, non-ideological and independent? You wouldn’t know it by looking at the millions of dollars in financial settlements…

CFAX INTERVIEW: Chair John Treleaven in conversation with Adam Stirling at CFAX Regional police force needed Fewer criminal charges for violent crimes are being laid making it more difficult to…

Ratepayers, homeowners and renters aren’t ATM machines BY GEORGE BARNHART, BOARD MEMBER, GRUMPY TAXPAYER$ OF GREATER VICTORIA Who doesn’t want their rent or mortgage payment reduced by a third? Finding…

Unusual practice legal, but inappropriate The municipal watchdog Grumpy Taxpayer$ wonders why the mayor and councillors have signing authority to pay the bills at the City of Langford. “There are…

A commentary by Colin Nielsen, board member, and Stan Bartlett, past chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria Taxpayers are mystified as to why governments continue to encourage fractured local…

Clearly the role of councillors extends far beyond their jurisdictional boundaries and underlying municipal legislation (Saanich councillor heads to blockade with other Island politicians, hoping to get arrested, Times Colonist,…

The words of Pythagoras, an ancient Ionian Greek philosopher and alleged vegetarian, still live on a couple of thousand years after he suggested that numbers rule the universe. While unsure…

BY BRIAN KENDRICK, CYCLIST AND FAIRFIELD RESIDENT In the Times Colonist (May 12), the city invited you to chime in on the insertion of bicycle infrastructure in your neighbourhood. You…

Still no integrated emergency plan or rehearsal A year into the anticipated pandemic, what have we learned? Are there lessons to be had for dealing with crisis? The most basic…

Our municipal leaders seem to have turned governance into a blood sport that features better drama than anything found on Netflix. Local politics by its nature – there are strong…

Municipal watchdog files complaint against Langford, claiming lack of transparency, Times Colonist, Jan. 21, 2021. Grumpy Taxpayer$ has filed a complaint with the B.C. Ombudsperson against Langford over lack of…

Province urged to show leadership and bring in a council code of conduct with enforced penalties When a councilor or mayor misbehaves are there remedies for taxpayers short of an…

Langford funds council live-streaming – Feb. 22, 2021 Update Langford recently approved a motion to fund and proceed with live-streaming of council meeting. Agenda Item 7 (c) 5 Council approved…

UPDATE: Langford accused of secrecy after refusing to livestream its meetings, Times Colonist, Dec. 11, 2020. CFAX Interview with Adam Stirling and Grumpy Taxpayer$ Chair John Treleaven, Should Langford livestream…

We begin by acknowledging that B.C. is a province full of people who are skilled, confident and ready for the road ahead. It’s a place of hope and opportunity. It’s…

How could mayors and councils justify any personnel or council cost increases above inflation? The consumer price index is close to zero. Consider that the unemployment rate in Greater Victoria…

It’s budget time again and council should be reminded that navigating the world and life’s potholes these days is challenging enough without adding bumpy roads. Granted, updating and maintaining roads…

BY JOHN TRELEAVEN AND STAN BARTLETT, vice-chair and chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ Local taxpayers are better served with unaligned independent politicians. For starters, Grumpy Taxpayer$ does not support any mayor,…

Where are the best generals when you need them? A recent article on the website ‘We Are The Mighty,’ which provides military entertainment for American veterans, did a statistical analysis…

RE: Councillor wants review of how city is governed, Times Colonist, Oct. 22, 2020. A governance review for the City of Victoria is very welcome and holds potential for doing…

EDITOR’S NOTE: City staff told CTV and CHEK News that it cost $85,000 to clean up Pandora Avenue (including staff costs) during the last several months (Oct. 3, 2020). Centennial…

Helps joins Trudeau Foundation board EDITOR’S NOTE: Mayor Helps is also the co-chair of the informal B.C. Mayors’ Caucus, described as a non-partisan group of the province’s 13 largest cities.…

Amalgamation Yes calls for an immediate response to intractable and insular municipal relationships and the need to streamline emergency response BY JAMES (JIM) ANDERSON, CHAIR, AMALGAMATION YES Once again senior…

Our municipal overlords at city council seem to have forgotten the words of John Muir, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where…

Elected public officials earn $10-15,000 annually as directors of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Taxpayers now have a better idea what elected public officials are compensated on the Greater Victoria…

EDITOR’S NOTE: This opinion piece by Mr Anderson does not necessarily reflect the position of Grumpy Taxpayer$, and is meant for discussion purposes. BY JAMES D. ANDERSON The draft Uptown-Douglas…

EDITOR”S NOTE: This is part 2 of a question and answer (Q and A) interview with Colin Plant, chair of the CRD on the region’s most costly capital project in…

If puzzles, knitting, bird watching and adopting pets are enjoying a resurgence during the pandemic, who knows, holding politician’s feet to the fire has potential as a pastime. When 5,100…

Saanich Coun. Natalie Chambers (not Coun. Rebecca Mersereau as originally reported) failed to find a seconder to her council motion June 1 to endorse in principle the policy document Moving…

Supportive housing purchases untaxed When the City of Victoria or B.C. buys motels, hotels and land for supportive housing – during a pandemic and the greatest economic meltdown in generations…

Residential tax rates in Saanich are inching closer to those in Victoria, and are significantly higher for businesses, according to 2020 figures released by the municipalities. “Property taxes are in…

UPDATE –Trudeau offers $14B to provinces for anti-COVID-19 efforts through rest of year: Making a difference in municipalities is a pricey proposition, Canadian Press, June 6, 2020. Most municipalities enjoyed…

Is the communications dept. bloated? In light of collapsed revenues and a shattered local economy, Grumpy Taxpayer$ is calling on Victoria mayor and council to reassess its financial priorities starting…

EDITOR’S NOTE: At a council meeting June 1, Langford council rescinded a April 6 motion to waive public hearings, and are now going to conduct electronic or phone-in hearings like…

Revised property tax increases range from -10 to 6.9% A growing list of municipalities in Greater Victoria are moderating budgets – while remaining very reluctant to reduce staff or make…

Your municipal council has long found their executive chairs around the table and have been managing your municipality for a year-and-a-half or so. The 2018 municipal election resulted in a…

“Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law.” – The United Nations…

While the full social and economic cost of the wretched pandemic to Greater Victoria residents won’t be known for months, we already know it’s profoundly life-changing. Nearly 5.4 million Canadians…

Denial, delay or complete dysfunction? Grumpy Taxpayer$ believes that most of the 13 municipalities in Greater Victoria are living in their own expensive reality – a twilight zone – and…

Percentage of local budget ranges from 4.5 to 23.3% Victoria, Esquimalt and Central Saanich continue to spend significantly more of their budget on policing than other municipalities in Greater Victoria,…

Code of Conduct with enforcement needed Taxpayers often wonder about remedies when councillors or a mayor behave badly. There are tools available to address or prevent less-than-responsible conduct by locally…

Road investment levels under review in Saanich After one of the rainiest Januarys on record, the war on potholes and deteriorating roads may have to be ramped up in Saanich.…

There’s something unsettling about politicians suggesting a pay increase of 55 per cent for themselves. When it follows a checkered job performance during the first year of this term, it…

Are quality core services and climate change connected? Climate change is a massive political, cultural and technological undertaking that demands mayor and council deliver better quality core services. Consider, the…

BY JOHN TRELEAVEN AND STAN BARTLETT Local taxpayers are better served with unaligned independent politicians. For starters, Grumpy Taxpayer$ does not support any mayor, councillor or political party, rather we…

Property taxes ‘out of sight and out of mind’ for many in Greater Victoria Increased use of the province’s property tax deferral program by thousands of local homeowners results in…

Advocacy efforts of Grumpy Taxpayer$ The CRD now offers two more ways residents can find information on the latest board decisions, priorities and outcomes, as a result of the advocacy…

C.D. Howe studies financial transparency in 31 Canadian cities – everywhere but Greater Victoria Do bad budgeting practices impede our 94 politicians in Greater Victoria, taxpayers and voters seeking accountability…

Turn on some soothing music and fasten your seat belt, let’s find out if the City of Victoria is spending enough in the 2020 budget to sustain our roads. You…

1. Jack Etkin of Shaw TV inteviews John Treleaven, vice-chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ on YouTube (Citizen’s Forum, Oct. 23, 2019,15 min.) 2. CRD Chair and Saanich Councillor Colin Plant, Keynote…

But one year later, fate of statue still unknown Suggest a new home for the statue of Sir. John. A. Macdonald and you could win a nice crisp $10 bill…

Councillors’ seeking support for a $25,700 or 55 per cent raise for a part-time position is so outrageous, many think there’s really an alternate agenda. To date, Councillors Geoff Young,…

EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter below is the response by Grumpy Taxpayer$ to a challenge made by David Screech, vice-chair of the CRD, in a letter entitled “What would the Grumpies…

Editor’s Note: A very similar version of this opinion piece appeared in the Times Colonist, Local governance improving, but there’s still work to do, Oct. 18, 2019. There are some…

The tax rates for the entire Capital region are now published so you can figure out if you’re paying too much tax or not getting good value for your tax…

What the heck really goes on in Langford council chambers? Unless residents beat the rush hour traffic home from work or school, leave their kids or pet home alone, or…

MEDIA COVERAGE: Unionized RCMP spells increased costs for municipalities, Goldstream News Gazette, Sept. 12, 2019. Policing costs in Greater Victoria and the rest of BC will probably be going up,…

BY STAN BARTLETT AND BRUCE KENNEDY The last couple of years has seen a prolonged, often rancorous debate on the role of policing in our community and how much funding…

Saanich Fire Hall #2 budget set at $26.5 M Municipalities across the Capital region such as Saanich are replacing or upgrading many of the 25 fire department facilities, a top…

Guest Column by Victoria Residential Builders Association Victoria council is planning to adopt a policy where 20% of units in new, large residential strata buildings must meet the city’s affordability…

BY CATHERINE HOLT, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce I would like to add to the growing concern in this community about the populist tactics of City of…

OPINION BY BRUCE AND LAURIE KENNEDY Many on Saanich council included housing affordability in their election platforms and now seem unable to grasp how this sort of tax increase affects…

When you drive down the road, you shouldn’t have to go down the potholes, but that’s increasingly the case for residents of Greater Victoria. Roads scarred by spine-jarring potholes create…

Central Saanich stretch to Butchart Gardens judged ‘Bumpiest road in Greater Victoria’ winner The width, quality and condition of the Central Saanich road leading into Butchart Gardens received multiple entries…

JOIN US 10 Good Reasons to join Grumpy Taxpayer$ 1. Our approach works. We lead the opposition against the 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, what would have been an expensive $1.5…

BY JOHN TRELEAVEN, VICE-CHAIRPERSON, GRUMPY TAXPAYER$ The Climate Emergency Declaration recently passed by the 24 directors around the Capital Regional District board table will be severely hobbled by its fractured…

This interview was done Mar. 13, 2019 with Nicole Crescenzi , a reporter with Victoria News, Black Press regarding calls from Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins…

Grandstanding? Or grand gesture?: Victoria takes it up a notch with the push for a class action lawsuit against oil and gas companies, FOCUS Magazine Interview with Judith Lavoie, March/April,…

Without a voice around a national table our community continues as ‘a little Victoria,’ a collection of 13 jurisdictions that’s not living up to its considerable potential. The forum for…

EDITOR’S NOTE: Following this article, Coun. Laurel Collins conceded her statement was misleading and has notified the media to run a correction which has been done. The Assertion: In a…