Dear Editor,
So the provincial government, NDP and Premier David Eby, are now approving municipalities to borrow and spend, willy nilly, without needing voters approval.
Voters pay taxes, taxation is a fundamental need to produce services, build and fix roads and provide a myriad of project spending sources. However, until now, the spending was at least dependent on either a referendum or the alternative approval process, which locally at least, the municipalities based on the things that ..they already (claimed to be) determined through surveys, etc..the local voters wanted.
Well now the heck with needing that. Fundamental to democracy is a dependence of those in office to have the support of, and to maintain credibility with, the voters. Well now that is not needed...until election time, at which time there will be hell to pay for the municipal councilors and mayors who have said, we don't need to consult or even listen to the voters wishes on the spending of THE VOTERS money.
In 1776 the American Revolution was fought largely over the cry "No taxation without representation," which referred to the English crown not providing representation, yet taxing the American colonies. We are seeing a similar approach in this new wrinkle of getting the taxpayers money without seeking their approval.
Interestingly Minster of Housing and Municipal Affairs Ravi Kahlon is fully on board, demonstrating a fundamental disinterest (understanding?) in the way taxation has functioned in our democracy for eons, as he states "outdated borrowing thresholds" were making it hard for local governments to deliver infrastructure. We have long criticized Donald Trump for instituting dictatorial like pronouncements which have raised havoc in his and our country and around the world. Sad to say that our Provincial NDP government seems to be following in his footsteps.
Steve C. Faraher-Amidon
Comox
