Taxes

We all know that in the last term of the Hamilton City Council, residential property taxes increased by 23%. For the year 2027, city staff recommended a 16.7% annual increase. This was revised to a still unacceptable 8.2%. An 8.2% tax increase averages out to an additional $450-$500 per household.

In addition to these tax hikes, please don’t forget the increases to your water bill, the vacant unit tax, the soon-to-be-coming rain tax and the proposed tree tax. The time is now to implement zero-based budgeting; city departments need to justify every one of their expenses each and every year.

The burden on the local taxpayer is out of hand. A focus on regaining a commercial and industrial tax base is long overdue. It’s time to bring (vetted) services to the airport development lands and the former Stelco lands to bring back business dollars.

Frivolous spending on tertiary projects has taken precedence over these development projects. We need to harness this development for the benefit of our taxpayers; let’s stop the corporate tax base from continuing down the 403 to other municipalities. My position is clear: no increase in property taxes beyond the Provincial rate of inflation and no new taxes. I will vote against the rain tax, the tree tax and whatever other tax staff comes up with.

My platform pledge is clear. I will NOT vote in favour of an increase in taxes beyond the Provincial Rate of Inflation. A campaign is a job interview. Candidates are trying to impress you, the voters; you are the ones calling the shots. If anyone else were to lie during a job interview, that would be grounds for dismissal. The position of City Councillor should be no different. I will publicly release a legal document guaranteeing these promises. If I break my word, I will resign.