The Urban Mayor’s Caucus and the UBCM held a meeting with Premier John Horgan and the Minister of Municipal Affairs to discuss the local government financing system.
Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall explained that they are currently looking for ways to strengthen the tax structure within municipalities across BC.
“We’re not looking for increased taxes, to do this, we’re talking about utilizing the current tax structure, the current taxes being collected and how can we utilize them,” explained Hall.
Local governments currently receive eight cents per every tax dollar and are responsible for about 60% of BC’s infrastructure.
According to the Urban Mayor’s Caucus, the current local government financial framework is too reliant on property tax, which neither grows with the economy nor distributes costs fairly.
Hall says using the current tax structure towards more infrastructure work would be one change that would benefit Prince George specifically.
“Here in Prince George, we have very old infrastructure so that will probably be part of the conversation, like how can the province utilize tax dollars to improve infrastructure work,” Hall added.
During the meeting, the need for complex care housing and BC’s response to mental health, substance abuse and homelessness was also discussed.
In recent meetings with Housing Minister David Eby and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson, the Caucus proposed a province-wide pilot project of at least five Complex Care Housing sites.
Hall says he believes PG would be an excellent community for the pilot project, due to the city’s location and the attraction it has to people across the province looking for work and services.
“Many municipalities like Prince George are struggling with mental illness and drug addiction and this complex care piece will really provide us with the opportunity to provide housing for those with complex care requirements,” he explained.
He says the program would be similar to the Integrated Health Services Model downtown and would give PG the opportunity to provide housing, and on-site services to those battling mental health issues or addiction.
Communities that host the pilot program would have the project up and operating within a year, according to the Caucus.
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