Quality Of Living in Victoria

Greater Victoria Affordability Index

Reference:  http://www.qolchallenge.ca/pdf/Aff-Index-backgrounder-oct09.pdf


The Affordability Index applicable to Greater Victoria and produced by the Community Councils Quality of Life Challenge is a direct indication of the utter failure of the Capital Regional District along with member municipalities to tackle this issue. The BC Government is not innocent either.

The clear indication of the report is that the cost of living in Greater Victoria is just plain too high. One of the major factors contributing to these costs is the extraordinary massive taxation imposed by the Capital Regional District and all Local Governments. Property and Business taxes and associated service fees have mushroomed. Development charges, inspection fees, ludicrous regulations, time to actually build a house or do a construction project are ponderous.

Politicians these days seem to have a view that some sort of Utopia must be found and as a result simply forge ahead with a large number of ‘nice to have’ projects without any consideration on the cause and effect to the community from a financial point of view.

Victoria City Council and other Municipalities of the CRD for example, are proceeding with a ‘nice to have’ trail along the E&N Rail line to the Western Communities. This project is estimated to cost some $ 20 million. Yet at the same time, the Johnston Street Bridge needs replacement at an estimated cost of $63 million, a new sewage system is required estimated at some $2 billion. One would think these idiot politicians would see the light and conclude that we cannot afford some projects.

Where does the money come from? Why yes it is the common folk trying to make a living!

The Capital Regional District is largely to blame for high taxation in Greater Victoria. It is they who have set the horizon, which in turn has provided fuel to Municipalities to get on the ‘project’ band wagon. Education and Health costs are escalating at a rate that is not sustainable, yet ‘nice to have’ projects take precedence. When will these local politicians wake up and smell the roses?

Governments are supposed to provide society with the essential things, yet it seems all they want to do is make a name for themselves and do non-essential projects. Politicians and bureaucrats engineer ‘nice to have’ features. North Saanich wants to build a new fire hall for some $2 million, yet that project could likely be done for much less. Traffic calming features installed at huge cost, bicycle trails, foot trails, new computer equipment, and the list continues.

Every year, the Capital Regional District an almost every Municipal government taxes go up, sometimes into the double digit teens. Yet people’s incomes do not increase enough to cover taxation.

The BC Government is no help either. That organization has downloaded too many programs to the Local arena, yet placing ever more pressure onto the community tax base.

The plain truth is that governments at all levels are adding unnecessary financial burdens to both business and property owners in a very large way, and that is the major problem.