Monday, November 14, 2011

Municipal spending grows four times faster than population Local government outlay is up on average 46 per cent in 10 years, CFIB says

Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver SunNovember 14, 2011 5:51 AM

VANCOUVER - Operating spending by B.C. municipalities has nearly quadrupled in the past decade compared to the rate of population growth and inflation, says a new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Between 2000 and 2009, B.C.’s population grew 12 per cent, while municipal operating spending, adjusted for inflation, grew by 46 per cent, according to the fourth annual B.C. Municipal Spending Watch, released today. “We’re seeing local governments spending more than ever, faster than ever,” said Shachi Kurl, CFIB’s director of provincial affairs, BC & Yukon. In response to the CFIB’s 2010 report, which complained of a “giant free-for-all” involving taxpayers’ dollars, the Union of B.C. Municipalities argued that over the past 20 years, there’s been a huge number of costs driving up municipal spending, including police and parks and recreation.Municipalities have also complained about having to increase taxes because of downloading from senior governments, for such things as water and sewage treatment. (more)