Of all the levels of government that we are affected by in Canada, the municipal level is by far the one that impacts our lives the most: more than the Capital Regional District and the provincial and federal governments. Our property taxes are often the biggest bill that property owners have to pay.
Renters’ rents are affected by property taxes and so renters should be very concerned by city/municipal governance. The City of Victoria’s property taxes have risen by about 27 per cent in the last five years (as it happens, the current mayor’s term of office) which is more than double our inflation rate. With such an impact on our lives, the younger generations would be wise to pay attention to our closest democratic representatives which are Victoria’s mayor and council.
I applaud Lisa Helps for making the effort to recruit the younger generations to come and vote in our November municipal election as that is the way to make our city more affordable, sustainable and livable.
Andrew Laks
Victoria
