Vancouver councillor George Affleck is opposing the City of Vancouver’s proposed 2012 operating budget, claiming that tax increases are higher than represented.
“They’re spinning it as a 2.5% increase across the board, but it’s not,” said Affleck, who is also founder and president of Curve Communications.
“If you include the utility increase that was approved – and that I opposed – in December of 9%, that pushes it up to 3.1%,” he said. “And that’s the minimum because this doesn’t include the collective agreements that are still being negotiated and if there’s any increase there, that’s a significant issue.”
Affleck also questioned messaging that the budget is balanced.
“They keep saying it’s a balanced budget,” he said. “Well, yeah, it has to be. By law. So don’t give me that.”
Affleck said he cannot support the budget because it goes against his commitment to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to keep tax increases at or below the rate of inflation.
“At any opportunity to vote, I’ve pretty much voted against it,” he said.
The budget went to public hearing last night and council will vote on a final budget report on Monday, March 5.
Photo: George Affleck
Tags: Coun. George Affleck, City of Vancouver, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
