Editor:
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) visited both Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk and Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster to discuss the negative impact of the increasing tax burden on small business and to get their support to bring back the municipal business vote.
In regards to Mayor Janyk's comments about the provincial government downloading onto the municipalities, (Coast Reporter, June 25), CFIB suggested it was the responsibility of the municipal government to explain to the long list of applicants for grants-in-aid that they apply pressure where they should be - at the provincial level - and not burden property owners with ever increasing taxes to cover provincial shortfalls.
Mayor Janyk should speak with Mayor Alsgard in Powell River who has done a good job explaining to his constituents that if they ask for something they have to be prepared to pay for it, as he is not prepared to burden small businesses with this cost through increased taxes. Mayor Alsgard fully understands it is small business that drives our economy and employs 56 per cent of our citizens, and a vast majority contributes to the well being of our community not-for-profit organizations.
CFIB congratulates Sechelt for keeping to a tax ratio of almost two to one and maintains Gibsons needs to do more to reduce their ratio of business paying 3.7 times more tax than residents. CFIB is pleased to see the overall downward trend for the business to residential property tax ratio in both Sechelt and Gibsons and applauds both towns' efforts.
If we don't keep down municipal property taxes for small businesses, they will be forced to consider reducing workers' hours, laying off staff and cancelling charitable giving, including owners and staff volunteer time on business hours. And nobody wants that.
Brian Bonney
CFIB Director of Provincial Affairs
