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:

Calgary needs to do more with less. We need to separate wants from needs. Given the current economic situation, we should control spending, especially salary and wages at City! I will not support raising property 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.

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:

The city cannot afford any tax dollars. If elected I will do everything in my power to keep the Flames with land or beneficial tax treatment or whatever the contribution can be, but I will not support contributing tax payers dollars to a new arena.

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:

All public business should be conducted openly and in full view of the public. In camera or private council sessions should be the exception and not the rule.

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:

When the economy turns around we can relook at this wishful spending.

Question 5:

How can council support small businesses?

Answer 5:

No increases to business taxes. Cut bureaucracy and approval times.  Also, we should contracting out whenever possible, to help small businesses and to do more with less. We need to show we are open for business.

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:

Transit ridership is down. In principle I’m in favour of the development of mass transit as a viable option for Calgarians. But the recent Provincial funding announcement that promised a $1.5 billion disbursement commencing in 2019 from proceeds of the carbon tax is not sure. Its conditional on two things; one that the NDP government be re-elected in 2019 and two, that the carbon tax remains in effect after that election. We don’t know if this will and there are other questions about this project so I think a complete review under new leadership is required.

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 think you should consult with Calgarians who are going to pay the bills if they want it, that is only fair.