Municipal leaders from across Canada talk taxes

Municipal leaders from across the country are meeting in Vancouver this weekend for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention even though the Canadian Federation of Independent Business hauled them onto the carpet last week. The CFIB noted the civic leaders were spending well beyond their means for infrastructure and services but that hasn’t stopped them for talking how to get “more” taxpayer money at this year’s conference.

The annual meeting of civic leaders also includes a trade show portion which sells everything from manhole covers to coffee but it’s the gas tax the Federal Government is attempting to sell that has delegates talking.

Part of a 10-year, $53 billion municipal plan, it includes securing the gas tax; which would be earmarked to pump money back into every community across Canada. In major cities, the bulk of the gas tax goes to public transit – but civic governments also pay for the bulk of roads, schools and police services and these areas are where many would like to see more dollars from Ottawa.

Currently the provinces and federal government get 92 per cent while city municipalities get eight cents per dollar to provide all the necessary infrastructure and services. The only money the cities get is property tax; which could potentially be a burden on property tax payers.

The FCM convention wraps up Monday morning.