Survey Responses:

Question 1.1:

Do you think municipal taxes should:

a) Reduce in absolute terms
b) Reduce in real terms (grow, but slower than inflation)
c) Reduce in relative terms (grow, but slower than inflation plus population growth)
d) Stay the same (grow, but only in line with inflation plus population growth)
e) Increase a bit (grow in line with the city’s Municipal Price Index)
f) Increase more (grow faster than the city’s Municipal Price Index)

Answer 1.1 [Choose One]:

a) Reduce in absolute terms

Question 1.2:

Comments?

Answer/Comments 1.2:

We need to stop raising taxes year after year – people are facing tough Economic times, and the city needs to appreciate that it’s a struggle for a lot of folks to make ends meet.

A lot of folks have seen their taxes go up by more than 50% over just the last seven years – those increases are unsustainable and show that the current City Council is addicted to tax increases and spending.

There’s a lot of wasteful spending at City Hall – pet projects like the downtown cycle lanes which cost millions, or the army of consultants and Outside advisors the city hires when it already employs a large and well-paid Bureaucracy.

I think Calgarians are fed up seeing their tax dollars squandered on things Like the Big Blue Ring – as a city, we need to focus on core services like Clearing snow, paving streets, and collecting garbage.

We also need to do a better job of building large-scale infrastructure project – too often, we see the price of the project go way over budget with no consequence for either the contractor or the manager who is overseeing it.

Question 2.1:

Would you vote in favour of allocating any tax dollars or giving any subsidy towards a new stadium/arena?

Answer 2.1 [Yes/No Only]:

[No Answer Provided]

Question 2.2:

If yes, how much and in what form would these taxes take (direct cash, land, subsidy, indirect, etc), and why do you support public dollars being directed towards a corporation?

Answer/Comments 2.2:

City council voted for Plan B arena near existing Saddledome

The current proposal by the city is:

33% paid by the city (185 million)

33% paid by Flames ownership (185 million)

33% paid through user fees and ticket surcharge (ticket sales revenue until 185 million is reached)

Flames ownership keeps 100% of revenue

Calgary's mayor and 14 city councillors all hold equal votes in city decision-making. I think we should be opposed to the city spending any more money than this current proposal. Having said that we must acknowledge the charity work Calgary flames doing and the non-profit organization they are supporting. I believe whatever decision the council taking must be with the support of grassroots and act accordingly. WE MUST MAKE SURE IT IS A FAIR DEAL AND NOT BURDEN ON CALGARIANS.

Question 3.1:

Recent research on Calgary’s City Council found that council spends nearly a quarter of its’ time meeting in private (in camera). Do you agree that this is too much time spent in private?

Answer 3.1 [Yes/No Only]:

[No Answer Provided]

Question 3.2:

If so, what would you do to fix this? Which topics do you believe should be discussed behind closed doors and why?

Answer/Comments 3.2:

Too often, decisions made at City Hall are made behind closed doors, in secret, and without consultation with local communities.I would push to dramatically reduce the number of secret, in-camera meetings – restricting them just to things like discussions about personnel – and mandate a new, broad, effective consultation process that puts members of the community first and foremost.

I would push to dramatically reduce the number of secret, in-camera meetings – restricting them just to things like discussions about personnel – and mandate a new, broad, effective consultation process that puts members of the community first and foremost.I also believe that we need to look at the perks and entitlements that City Councillors get, and see if those are appropriate given the

I also believe that we need to look at the perks and entitlements that City Councillors get, and see if those are appropriate given the touch economic times our city is facing – being a City Councillor shouldn’t be about getting rich on the taxpayer’s dime, it should be about serving the public and putting them first in each and every decision.

Question 4.1:

From the $470,000 Blue Ring, to the $236,000 for a “Poop Palace”, and now another $500,000 for Bowfort Towers, council has consistently failed to engage with Calgarians about which public Art projects their tax dollars are spent on. Do you support continuing to use taxpayer dollars to fund art projects for the city?

Answer 4.1 [Yes/No Only]:

[No Answer Provided]

Question 4.2:

If yes, why do you think council and administration have repeatedly failed on this issue, and what guidelines should be used to ensure Calgarians are happy with the results in future?

Answer/Comments 4.2:

I believe that Council must end its addiction to raising taxes and out of control spending. Like countless businesses and families, we have to learn to live within our means. If elected, I will be a strong voice for fiscal responsibility, strongly push to end year-over-year tax increases and fight to cut wasteful spending.

Question 5:

How can council support small businesses?

Answer 5:

Lower taxes.

Question 6.1:

Do you support the current plan for construction of the Green Line?

Answer 6.1 [Yes/No Only]:

[No Answer Provided]

Question 6.2:

The construction of the Green Line was approved based on a cost-benefit analysis that assumed the project would be completed two years earlier than now projected, and at a lower construction cost for the entire line than is now estimated for half of the line. If the costs increase again or the project is further delayed, would you continue to support it, and why?

Answer/Comment 6.2:

I am sad to see that the plan is cut to almost half when it should have been executed fully. This is something we need to work and make sure we spend wisely and get the job done in a timely manner.

Question 7.1:

In July, City Council voted against a motion to hold a referendum/plebiscite on whether Calgary should bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics bid. Do you support holding a referendum / plebiscite on whether Calgary should bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics bid?

Answer 7.1 [Yes/No Only]:

Yes.

Question 7.2:

Why do you support/oppose a public vote? Should the results of a vote should be binding?

Answer/Comment 7.2:

I will never oppose public vote. Council has grown out of touch and this is why we need fresh faces to actually tackle down situations like this.