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]:

[No Answer Provided]

Question 1.2:

Comments?

Answer/Comments 1.2:

This question is difficult to answer with the 6 selections provided.  The direction Council should consider is requiring developers to build ALL infrastructure in new developments. Is, in time, would allow for proper reinvestment in older communities as well as the ability to reduce taxes.

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:

Investing in building an new arena/stadium with an expected rate of return should be the direction we take.

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:

The idea of “if I can’t say it to your face, I shouldn’t say it at all” comes to mind. There is always the issue of confidentiality, but that is a rather rare issue when it comes to how the city is run.

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. 

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:

Not as it is currently set up.

Question 5:

How can council support small businesses?

Answer 5:

The cost of renting/leasing still remains high. Perhaps Council needs to encourage the build of more condo-styled ownership buildings.

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:

Council is making a habit out of not listening to what the people want. The best solution is not the most affordable solution. In fact, the most affordable solution is usually nowhere near the best solution. As an example, please look at the 36th Street corridor.

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]:

No.

Question 7.2:

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

Answer/Comment 7.2:

At this stage of the game, it is too late to hold a plebiscite. Because Council has continually passed off making decisions until it is far too late that emergency action is require (ex: Airport Tunnel), the time to act will not leave room for a plebiscite. It would be helpful if a series of townhall meetings were held across the City to get public input.