Tofino is an ambitious little place. Busy little bees. More staff hirings , more improvement projects. We get bigger and grander. They note that inflation is driving up the cost of various things increasing the cost of projects etc. Do they recognize inflation is already having a serious effect on tax payers and their ability to pay. Most of the inflation being caused by government overspending. So what do they do??? Da... increase spending.
They have lost connection to many people in town. But I guess it doesn't matter when your paycheck is fat and guaranteed. When you are spending other peoples money. When you have a grand vision for the town that most who work here simply can't afford. Soon the only ones here will be tourists(they seem willing to pay) seasonal workers(they are only here for a short fun time) and government workers(they can afford it)
Interesting, we have a whole department whose focus is "community sustainability" ... Think about it.... See ya! I am out.
Over the last two years the taxes have gone up with the increased property assessments to create a 100% tax increase. 50% each year isn't the "small" 11% increase claimed by the district. We can but hope the Mayor and council are feeling the bite of the tax increase.
We haven't even really started paying for the actual final bill for the new sewer. And of course then there's the pet project of some District staff members to build an unnecessary sports facility at a probable cost of another $4 million plus.
This is the time & the place to ask this question: with the new alleged affordable housing projects going up as we speak, I assume there will be tax assessments on the improvements for those properties that were given to catalyst developments. Who will pay the taxes on those properties? Did anyone ever ask this question to begin with? It's already become apparent that the district has screwed itself undervaluing the property handed to catalyst. Even though it's not given away it's only a very long term lease there are still taxes owed. If for some reason the district waived the ability to collect taxes we need to know why?
Honest question...Is there any hope for Canada to regain an environment where the common person can enjoy life, and not just exist as a tax paying serf? I normally do up a pro and con list to help me clarify things and my list of cons is extremely long compared to the pros. Cons: Our economy is a mess, taxes are out of control, foreign investment is almost non existent, our debt at all levels of government is out of control, our health care is non existent, our education system is politicized, our politics are partisan, government jobs make up 30% of the workforce, our infrastructure is crumbling, the border is a joke, the cost of living is out of control, housing is unattainable, Quebec is allowed to write its own laws separate of those imposed on the rest of the country (the exception of course being BC and the new regulations regarding possession of hard drugs), First Nations don't have clean drinking water, social justice warriors attack anything that doesn't align with their point of view. The mainstream media promotes propaganda and virtue signals SJW rhetoric, there is a opioid crisis, the Chinese have infiltrated our government (the Winnipeg lab investigation being shut down is just one example), free speech is being challenged, legal gun owners are being targeted while gang banger's continue to do what gang banger's do, our justice system is a "woke" joke, the majority of the population has given up hope and as a result, very few bother to vote anymore, the fun police have successfully shut down any event that they might consider "fringe". Pros: I can now carry 2.5 grams of opioids (I'm lucky, I live in BC!!)
10 years ago my list wasn't like this at all. So again I ask...is there any hope or is Canada finished?
6:20 AM: Sorry, but I believe that Josie gave Catalyst a multi year municipal tax emempt status. They'll pay nothing toward costs of day to day municipal services.
9:33 AM. You are so correct. How bad is it? Well, for example, you can no longer buy blinds for your windows, because the government is protecting children who might become entangled in the pull strings and strangle themselves. Next? Probably shoelaces.
Good question, will Catalyst pay property taxes? There was a discussion about this in council, more than a year ago. It was a confusing discussion. It was on the list of tax exempt properties, to be put forward to council. Apparently the property was given tax exception because the property at the time was still in the Districts name.It would come under Catalysts name at some future date. So tax exemption was granted for the year to the District. However some councilors assumed it was Catalyst and not the District who was being granted tax exemption and were willing to support that anyway, although it was premature.
The question will also have to be asked, under what category will taxes be applied if and when they ever are. As a regular residential use or a reduced rate as some "charitable operation" which Catalyst claims to be. A not for profit organization. Remember WE, if you want to understand what a charitable organization has come to mean. Maybe it will pay taxes at some preferable rate like "the gardens"
What I find amazing is that some councillors were prepared to absolve it of any taxes. Every sweetheart deal you could imagine has been given the developer. The property will be held till the last minute in District hands even though it is contractually committed to the developer so that the developer doesn,t have to pay any taxes....while the developer develops the property. The rents will be no less than any other rents in Tofino. Trust me. Catalyst will be operating under a formula that allows them to maximize there rents within very broad categories of definition. Some rents will be well in excess of $2000.00 per month.
That is what I understand. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
30% of the jobs in Canada are held by people working for some level of the government. They're a part of "the new rich", Canadian government employees. They make an average wage of 55% more than similar positions in the private sector. Trudeau got elected in the last federal election with 38% of the popular vote. He needs these votes from his employees in order to retain power, and, of course, the employees are going to support their golden goose. It's corruption. There's no secret envelopes being passed surreptiously, no bagmen, but the fix is in. Government employees, at every level of government, will continue to be overpaid. In return, they'll continue to vote for the boss.
I haven’t been able to establish the taxation status of the Catalyst properties however they don’t appear on the 2020 list of tax exempt properties. Ralph Tieleman
The property didn't exist in 2020. It may not exist separately yet, or the finalization of the subdivision is more recent. I think that is part of o what 4:43 was referring to.
Not only will Catalyst be property tax exempt, the residents won't be billed for their share of the sewer and water bill either. Residents of the "affordable housing" will be able to run their water, at any volume, 24/7, without consequences.
The problem that I see is the growth of government. At all levels but particularly the municipal level. We are now some 2000 0r 2200 souls, permanently residing in Tough. That is not a very significant permanent population growth over the last ten or twenty years. Less than 5% a year. But everything else has increased dramatically. As increased moneys come into the municipal coffers and they have been significant, we have increased the size and scope of municipal government at a far greater pace. Spending increases run at 10 to 15 % a year. Fed by increasing assesments. Expectations run higher. We must now build municipal staff "capacity" as an objective on it's own. As if we were the Canucks and had a have dozen or so prospects hanging around on the Taxi squad getting experience, waiting to see if or when they might be needed. It is a losing battle until some more revolutionary imperative necessitates dramatic change. A big "if." Unfortunately the casualties are many. Tough ain't so tough. It is now a playground for the cool, for the well off, for style masters for the "aware" set, and the high flyers of society. Spending more than you should is a way of life. Must keep up appearances. Keep up with the trends. Average folk go unnoticed, This place is not about them. It has become a place from which to launch political careers and then leave. The rout began when the enviros discovered the trees and then the world took to surfing. Nothing is cooler than surfing. It is so NOW. You can sell anything with it. Ask our PM. You think he comes here for the exercise? I wish he would holiday in Davos. And so it continues. You are not what is important about this place. They are. Who gives a shit about higher taxes.
Why then do governments give out so much free stuff? The most credible explanation, as usual, is simple-minded populism. That, and the fact that the people with the power to take and spend other people’s money are uninterested in applying good economic sense or a reasonable duty of care to those they govern. These people who wield and exercise power so recklessly, are not exactly beacons of moral virtue.
16 comments:
They're just getting warmed up
Tofino is an ambitious little place. Busy little bees. More staff hirings , more improvement projects. We get bigger and grander.
They note that inflation is driving up the cost of various things increasing the cost of projects etc. Do they recognize inflation is already having a serious effect on tax payers and their ability to pay. Most of the inflation being caused by government overspending. So what do they do??? Da... increase spending.
They have lost connection to many people in town. But I guess it doesn't matter when your paycheck is fat and guaranteed. When you are spending other peoples money. When you have a grand vision for the town that most who work here simply can't afford. Soon the only ones here will be tourists(they seem willing to pay) seasonal workers(they are only here for a short fun time) and government workers(they can afford it)
Interesting, we have a whole department whose focus is "community sustainability" ... Think about it.... See ya! I am out.
Over the last two years the taxes have gone up with the increased property assessments to create a 100% tax increase. 50% each year isn't the "small" 11% increase claimed by the district.
We can but hope the Mayor and council are feeling the bite of the tax increase.
We haven't even really started paying for the actual final bill for the new sewer.
And of course then there's the pet project of some District staff members to build an unnecessary sports facility at a probable cost of another $4 million plus.
This is the time & the place to ask this question: with the new alleged affordable housing projects going up as we speak, I assume there will be tax assessments on the improvements for those properties that were given to catalyst developments. Who will pay the taxes on those properties? Did anyone ever ask this question to begin with? It's already become apparent that the district has screwed itself undervaluing the property handed to catalyst. Even though it's not given away it's only a very long term lease there are still taxes owed. If for some reason the district waived the ability to collect taxes we need to know why?
Honest question...Is there any hope for Canada to regain an environment where the common person can enjoy life, and not just exist as a tax paying serf? I normally do up a pro and con list to help me clarify things and my list of cons is extremely long compared to the pros. Cons: Our economy is a mess, taxes are out of control, foreign investment is almost non existent, our debt at all levels of government is out of control, our health care is non existent, our education system is politicized, our politics are partisan, government jobs make up 30% of the workforce, our infrastructure is crumbling, the border is a joke, the cost of living is out of control, housing is unattainable, Quebec is allowed to write its own laws separate of those imposed on the rest of the country (the exception of course being BC and the new regulations regarding possession of hard drugs), First Nations don't have clean drinking water, social justice warriors attack anything that doesn't align with their point of view. The mainstream media promotes propaganda and virtue signals SJW rhetoric, there is a opioid crisis, the Chinese have infiltrated our government (the Winnipeg lab investigation being shut down is just one example), free speech is being challenged, legal gun owners are being targeted while gang banger's continue to do what gang banger's do, our justice system is a "woke" joke, the majority of the population has given up hope and as a result, very few bother to vote anymore, the fun police have successfully shut down any event that they might consider "fringe". Pros: I can now carry 2.5 grams of opioids (I'm lucky, I live in BC!!)
10 years ago my list wasn't like this at all. So again I ask...is there any hope or is Canada finished?
6:20 AM: Sorry, but I believe that Josie gave Catalyst a multi year municipal tax emempt status. They'll pay nothing toward costs of day to day municipal services.
9:33 AM. You are so correct. How bad is it? Well, for example, you can no longer buy blinds for your windows, because the government is protecting children who might become entangled in the pull strings and strangle themselves. Next? Probably shoelaces.
Good question, will Catalyst pay property taxes? There was a discussion about this in council, more than a year ago. It was a confusing discussion. It was on the list of tax exempt properties, to be put forward to council. Apparently the property was given tax exception because the property at the time was still in the Districts name.It would come under Catalysts name at some future date. So tax exemption was granted for the year to the District. However some councilors assumed it was Catalyst and not the District who was being granted tax exemption and were willing to support that anyway, although it was premature.
The question will also have to be asked, under what category will taxes be applied if and when they ever are. As a regular residential use or a reduced rate as some "charitable operation" which Catalyst claims to be. A not for profit organization. Remember WE, if you want to understand what a charitable organization has come to mean. Maybe it will pay taxes at some preferable rate like "the gardens"
What I find amazing is that some councillors were prepared to absolve it of any taxes. Every sweetheart deal you could imagine has been given the developer. The property will be held till the last minute in District hands even though it is contractually committed to the developer so that the developer doesn,t have to pay any taxes....while the developer develops the property. The rents will be no less than any other rents in Tofino. Trust me. Catalyst will be operating under a formula that allows them to maximize there rents within very broad categories of definition. Some rents will be well in excess of $2000.00 per month.
That is what I understand. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.
30% of the jobs in Canada are held by people working for some level of the government. They're a part of "the new rich", Canadian government employees. They make an average wage of 55% more than similar positions in the private sector.
Trudeau got elected in the last federal election with 38% of the popular vote. He needs these votes from his employees in order to retain power, and, of course, the employees are going to support their golden goose.
It's corruption. There's no secret envelopes being passed surreptiously, no bagmen, but the fix is in. Government employees, at every level of government, will continue to be overpaid. In return, they'll continue to vote for the boss.
I haven’t been able to establish the taxation status of the Catalyst properties however they don’t appear on the 2020 list of tax exempt properties.
Ralph Tieleman
The property didn't exist in 2020. It may not exist separately yet, or the finalization of the subdivision is more recent. I think that is part of o what 4:43 was referring to.
So it looks like Catalyst will be granted tax exempt status for their housing projects. Ralph Tieleman
Not only will Catalyst be property tax exempt, the residents won't be billed for their share of the sewer and water bill either. Residents of the "affordable housing" will be able to run their water, at any volume, 24/7, without consequences.
The problem that I see is the growth of government. At all levels but particularly the municipal level. We are now some 2000 0r 2200 souls, permanently residing in Tough. That is not a very significant permanent population growth over the last ten or twenty years. Less than 5% a year. But everything else has increased dramatically. As increased moneys come into the municipal coffers and they have been significant, we have increased the size and scope of municipal government at a far greater pace. Spending increases run at 10 to 15 % a year. Fed by increasing assesments. Expectations run higher. We must now build municipal staff "capacity" as an objective on it's own. As if we were the Canucks and had a have dozen or so prospects hanging around on the Taxi squad getting experience, waiting to see if or when they might be needed.
It is a losing battle until some more revolutionary imperative necessitates dramatic change. A big "if." Unfortunately the casualties are many. Tough ain't so tough. It is now a playground for the cool, for the well off, for style masters for the "aware" set, and the high flyers of society. Spending more than you should is a way of life. Must keep up appearances. Keep up with the trends.
Average folk go unnoticed, This place is not about them. It has become a place from which to launch political careers and then leave. The rout began when the enviros discovered the trees and then the world took to surfing. Nothing is cooler than surfing. It is so NOW. You can sell anything with it. Ask our PM. You think he comes here for the exercise? I wish he would holiday in Davos. And so it continues. You are not what is important about this place. They are. Who gives a shit about higher taxes.
Putin's tax increases. Got nothing to do with Tofino. All Putin's fault
Why then do governments give out so much free stuff? The most credible explanation, as usual, is simple-minded populism. That, and the fact that the people with the power to take and spend other people’s money are uninterested in applying good economic sense or a reasonable duty of care to those they govern. These people who wield and exercise power so recklessly, are not exactly beacons of moral virtue.
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