Editor:
To Coun. Tasha Henderson:
With all due respect, Councillor Henderson, this is your reality check:
First of all, after moving to New West our property taxes have risen by 64 per cent from 2010 to date.
Secondly, of the 21 Metro municipalities, New West has one of the higher property taxes in the most densely populated municipality that has one of the lowest development cost charges.
Thirdly, you stated that Burnaby’s taxes are not a good comparison because of its size and then used Nanaimo and Saanich as examples for significant higher percentage tax increases, when these two communities have a higher population base than New West.
Additionally, the residential density per square kilometre for New West is twice that of Burnaby and four times that of Saanich.
The tax increases you have suggested are unsustainable for senior residents on fixed incomes, especially during the affordability crisis, high inflation and record homelessness. Size comparison doesn’t matter; fiscal responsibility is what matters!
Larry Church
