Re: 鈥淧ublic transit should be free, Victoria council says,鈥� April 26.
There has been much discussion in recent days of free transit in our region and a suggestion that current fare-box revenues could simply be transferred to local property taxpayers. I want to voice my strong concerns about this proposal.
The rate at which municipal taxes are increasing is unsustainable, in my view. One of the reasons is the slow and steady downloading from higher levels of governments to the local tax rolls. A prime example is this year鈥檚 new employer health tax.
Municipalities face huge financial challenges and infrastructure deficits. We are tasked with all the fundamentals of a good society. Think policing, fire service, recreation, libraries, parks, road, sewers, water service, etc. We have but one source of income, and that is the property taxpayer.
We cannot continue to raise taxes well above and beyond the rate of inflation. I understand that often we have no choice as we juggle priorities and maintain services, but we simply cannot take major new initiatives such as providing free transit.
In one of the most expensive housing markets in Canada, we are at serious risk of just adding more and more to the cost of housing in our region. We will soon be taxing people right out of their homes. I also can鈥檛 help but wonder if any research has been done to suggest that cost is a barrier to transit use in our region.
David Screech
Mayor of View Royal
