To the Editor,
Take Back City Hall is a campaign that is being waged by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation for B.C.’s municipal elections.
The CTF says that, “Taxpayers are stretched thin and are asking candidates for office to give a hard, long look at ways to hold the line on taxes, reduce spending, and become more transparent and accountable.”
I wonder what Nanaimo’s municipal candidates are willing to do to stand up for property taxpayers? What about supporting a measure, such as an independent municipal auditor-general, to improve accountability and transparency?
The CTF has offered candidates the opportunity to sign a contract with taxpayers.
The contract includes 10 points, some of which are: keeping any tax increases at or below the provincial rate of inflation, encouraging direct democracy, supporting transparency in expenses and resisting downloading from senior levels of government.
I wonder how many of Nanaimo’s candidates for council have considered engaging in this timely campaign with a view to introducing a taxpayer protection bylaw?
Janet Irvine
Nanaimo