AAPs get little public respect
Additional democratic safeguards are needed A commentary by Stan Bartlett, vice-chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria, a non-partisan citizens advocacy group for municipal taxpayers. The next time you have…
Changes to governance difficult
BY JOHN TRELEAVEN, Chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ The Times Colonist editorial Amalgamating Services would be an easier step (Jan. 4) should accelerate a process which last had a moment 50…
Buy Canada? Bye America?
Local governments review procurement practices Several local politicians are calling on their municipality to re-evaluate where they spend tax dollars as a result of the nasty Canada-US trade dispute. “Obviously…
Municipal councils at a crossroad
Many initial budget requests double-digit and unaffordable (updated to March 1, 2025) The starting point deliberations for tax increases in 2025 are among the highest ever recorded on the South…
AI weighs in on local government !
Who are you going to ask for another thoughtful opinion on the state of municipal government on the South Island? So we queried Perplexity, an Artificial Intelligence system, and they…
Saanich residents, head’s up on AAPs
It’s the first time in 25 years that Saanich will use the alternate approval process (AAP) to borrow $9.6 million for five infrastructure projects. Taxpayers would be wise to familiarize…
Taxpayers wary of pool costs
Consider the long-term property tax implications before casting your vote in the Feb. 8 city referendum to spend as much as $215.9 million on a new Crystal Pool. The special…
The City tidying, tinkering, trimming
Structural reforms needed to meet growing needs City council will spend the next few months trying to tame a proposed $460 million consolidated budget to deliver quality services. Facing a…
Taxpayers facing costly infrastructure renewal
People don’t whistle as much as they used to. That may change during the next few weeks now that municipal taxpayers – about half of those on the South Island…