By Pepper Parr
November 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The headline reads:
STOP the Proposed 2024 Property Tax Increase – City of Burlington
It is part of a petition a taxpayer put up asking people to voice their objections to a tax increase Council is currently debating.
At 9:30 am, November 9th, there were 2379 signatures on the petition.
Because Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has chosen to use the Strong Mayor powers she, along with about 50 other municipalities, was given July 1st – it will be the Mayor who has the final word on what the tax rate will be.
Wendy Fletcher, created the petition and has watched it build slowly but consistently.
If you wish to be part of the protest click HERE and have you say.
The petition will be in place until the end of the year.
Wendy Fletcher: I suggest you also request that The Spec, Inside Halton, Bay Observer and Burlington Today post your very informative information and the Petition online and in paper format for more public engagement. Thank you.
Honestly I’m surprised that so few have signed. I attended the mayors virtual town hall explaining the budget. The city is spending like people are not struggling to pay their bills. The budget is a done deal. There is no measure of fiscal restraint.
It is not a done deal until it is approved.
People need to delegate at the two committee meetings a large turn out sends a message. Look how Mt Nemo and the Millcroft Golf course delegates got what they wanted.
This is exactly it. How can we expect change when no one is showing up. I get it’s a daunting task. I was terrified. But if people are stepping up, can it be that important to them? Every voice matters. Whether you’re getting up to say how it affects you or someone you know.
I’ve lost count of the number of messages I’ve gotten from seniors who can’t afford to stay in their homes bc of these property tax increases. That’s wrong on so many levels.
I know there are alot of political junkies who read this. All your names should be on that delegation list Nov 14
Does anyone know if the “Strong Mayor” legislation has any mechanism to repeal the powers?
Editor’s note: The legislature can pull them any time they choose to do so. Our Mayor loves them – she does not have to use them.
It is provincial legislation and some of it is required to be be followed But if the Mayor doesn’t exercise her right council couldn’t start work on a budget till feb 1.
I’d really like to hear the Red Queen say she won’t exercise her veto. Other councils have found ways around it. Burlington hasn’t even tried.
It is scary the mayor and 2 councilor can make decisions. That is un-democratic.
I’m not sure repealing them is a better answer. City staff aren’t going to cut this budget. They took it from 7.82% to 7.6%. From what I understand from my politics 101 class, this wretched DEOO is the brain child of Commisso. So staff are not going to cut it further.
MMW on the other hand must know on some level that this tax increase is going to end her career. Or if not this one, the next. I think if people bombarded the next meeting, it’d give her an excuse to pull the plug on this budget.