The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is requesting that all Municipal candidates sign The Taxpayer Pledge. Take a look at the Pledge below. I think you'll find it interesting. It's a great thing because it calls for complete transparency.
Contract with Taxpayers
If elected as a mayor or councillor on November 19, I pledge to uphold these principles:
I will not vote to raise property taxes beyond the provincial rate of inflation (unless I get
approval from taxpayers in a referendum)—and will diligently try to get increases lower than
that.
I will move our municipality toward fee for service for as many functions as possible.
I will not vote to take on or fund services that are the proper jurisdiction of federal, provincial or
regional governments.
I will push my municipality to investigate partnerships with other governments, non‐profit
organizations and businesses to reduce costs of service delivery.
Infrastructure and public safety will be my top budgetary priorities.
Taxpayers’ personal property rights will be respected and upheld.
Under my watch, citizens will receive complete, accurate and timely information from their
municipal government. I will ensure taxpayers have the opportunity to participate in open
dialogue with the mayor and council, voicing their opinions on any matter affecting the
municipality.
I will publicly disclose and publish copies of all receipts I charge to my municipal expense
account.
I will support measures that improve transparency and accountability, such as a Municipal
Auditor General, introduction of municipal politician recall rules, and the use of referenda,
plebiscites and citizen initiatives to gauge public opinion on major expenditures and issues.
I will support the introduction of a Taxpayer Protection Bylaw that
financially punishes any mayor and council for raising taxes above the rate of inflation with a
one‐year, 15% pay cut.
.....and yes, I am signing it.
For more information, go to www.taxpayer.com
I've also signed the CFIB Taxpayer Pledge, you can find that here, as well as Vince Dimanno's Water Access Pledge which you can view here.
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