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]:

d) Stay the same (grow, but only in line with inflation plus population growth)

Question 1.2:

Comments?

Answer/Comments 1.2:

Before any increase, processes need to be implemented to ensure money is being spent responsibly across the system first.

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]:

Yes.

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:

First and foremost, return on investment needs to warrant the contribution. A clear plan of City reimbursement needs to be in place.

With the proper structured agreement City would benefit from increased revenue from surrounding businesses and developments. There needs to be a “Big Picture”

Lastly, I totally agree that the City’s role is to negotiate the best deal possible, then bring those details to the people for approval.

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]:

Yes.

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:

Absolutely too much time, it’s a slap in the face to the people they represent. I would put forth support a City law that limits in camera time similar to other major municipalities. To me the only topics which would warrant privacy would be internal complaints filed, though once substantiated should be public as well. Or anything which might constitute a breach of security or privacy laws. Even the arena negotiations should have been public, it was the City who demanded the confidentiality agreement.

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]:

Yes. 

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:

Public Art makes a City unique and is for all. Where the system has failed is it is typically selected and funded in private from the very people it is meant to attract.

If given the chance, I would demand a revision that sees the art council collect the bids, with a major demand for local artists.  Have them select a final number (5-10) with criteria that local artists must be included in the finalists.

Then allow the public to debate and vote on them via the 311 app.

The final selection would be by the people.

Question 5:

How can council support small businesses?

Answer 5:

They should be given every chance to succeed. Tax breaks to allow growth of their business and employment of Calgarians. I would also support the creation of a “Small Business Directory “ online to allow people to locate and support a local business when possible if they choose.

Question 6.1:

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

Answer 6.1 [Yes/No Only]:

No.

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:

It has been mismanaged and allowed to get out of hand. It should be completely revisited and returned to a single-phase project in line with the needs of the communities. It is utterly ridiculous that Auburn Bay, Calgary’s fastest growing community, is now looking around 2030 for Ctrain service. 

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 support the public vote on the basis of the people should be the ones to approve or disapprove. A no should be immediately binding, a Yes vote should only proceed if the cost is acceptable (to the people). Based on the most recent report, the cost is nowhere near acceptable.