Because housing affordability is our top municipal issue, electors should oppose Saanich council’s alternative approval process (AAP) to borrow $150 million without a referendum.
In addition to municipal tax increases far beyond the rate of inflation, Saanich has borrowed to its mandated debt service limit. They estimate it will take 30 years of increases to pay this loan off. Regressive property tax increases most hurt young families with mortgages, as well as renters, through higher rents. Senior homeowners can defer these taxes.
Through a referendum process, council would have to convince electors that the new operations facility will improve our collective experience. But it won’t. Even worse, the new facility will not accept yard waste drop-off, requiring yet more taxes for that. Enough! Vote at City Hall by June 25 to oppose the AAP.
John Culley
Saanich
