Regional policing costs almost $800 M
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…
April Fools’ Day comes early for taxpayers
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…
Time for a property tax tea party
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…
Flawed AAP vote needs redo
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…
Tax hikes double, triple inflation, why?
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 tax increases unsustainable
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…
Flawed CRD housing loan vote
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…
One cheque, one source, one job
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…
Fight city hall and win the day
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.…