Naheed Nenshi vs Michelle Rempel

[Smartcar]

The real issue is that we pay for (almost all of) the cost of municipal government through property taxes, and the City isn't allowed to run a deficit. Property taxes are based on a mill rate set for the amount of money required, from the total assessment base. If the entire tax base shifts uniformly, the taxes paid will stay proportionately the same. If some property values go way down and others stay the same, the tax burden will shift. There is nothing the City can do about it, they can set separate mill rates for residential and non-residential but are not allowed to set a separate mill rate for downtown and suburban non-residential. 25% vacancy rates downtown are going to affect property values.

Michelle Rempel should know this and was just making political hay. So she deserved the snarky remark.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Smartcar

The real issue is that we pay for (almost all of) the cost of municipal government through property taxes, and the City isn't allowed to run a deficit. Property taxes are based on a mill rate set for the amount of money required, from the total assessment base. If the entire tax base shifts uniformly, the taxes paid will stay proportionately the same. If some property values go way down and others stay the same, the tax burden will shift. There is nothing the City can do about it, they can set separate mill rates for residential and non-residential but are not allowed to set a separate mill rate for downtown and suburban non-residential. 25% vacancy rates downtown are going to affect property values.

Michelle Rempel should know this and was just making political hay. So she deserved the snarky remark.

"not allowed to do this", "not allowed to do that" Well, government can do it's job and amend those laws if it's going to further negatively harm the economy and economic investment. This is what causes recessions.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I think whether we like it or not, its going to be necessary to see a decrease in services.

right now there is only one level of taxpayer but three levels of government who are all jacking up taxes.

At some point governments are going to have to start cutting to go with the increased taxes to gain some sanity, and we as citizens are going to realize that we're going to have to lose some services.

Can we get any less service than we already do from the City of Calgary? I've lived in four different provinces, and I can easily say I get less from the taxes I pay the City of Calgary than I did any of the other 3 locations (NB, NS, and ON). I never really had a problem with it though, because I pay way less tax here.

[Locke]

Yeah, the whole 'sexism' in politics schtick has to go.

In no way is it sexist to make derogatory remarks about someone's proficiency in mathematics.

He said 'math is hard' not; 'you're bad at math because you're a woman. '

Two whole different things, but I understand because my sister would interpret it the exact same way.

See? That. There. That was sexist. Learn the bloody difference.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Hey, he did wish her the best on figuring out maths. Sounds like he's trying to be a mentor to her.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

"not allowed to do this", "not allowed to do that" Well, government can do it's job and amend those laws if it's going to further negatively harm the economy and economic investment. This is what causes recessions.

I don't believe you can just amend that law. Municipalities not being able to run deficits is in the core fabric of the Canadian system.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by zamler

Squeezing blood from a stone is not a great business plan.

And yet it got the NDP elected. Go figure.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I don't believe you can just amend that law. Municipalities not being able to run deficits is in the core fabric of the Canadian system.

I know it's obviously more complex than that but I really believe it's the role of government to be flexible and foster economic growth even if it needs to take a hit in bad times. Maybe I'm a "New Deal" or Keynesian sort of guy. I guess these rules are dictated at the provincial or federal level.

We obviously don't want Canadian cities to fall into the Detroit model of debt.

[HockeyIlliterate]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

He's a complete egomaniac. Doesn't seem to ever learn his lesson. Cannot tolerate anyone with a contrary opinion of his, and goes out of his way to shame on the social media.

For a few moments, I thought that I had wandered into another Trump thread....

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Once in a while I wish our Mayor would just know when to shut up, log out of twitter and avoid microphones. He's been fairly effective as a Mayor but the man loves the sound of his voice way to much and at times comes across as a gianormous tool.

True in many cases with him. I've lost a lot of respect for him based on a variety of issues over the years, but in this case if some tool who can't do math so good waltzes into your workplace she knows little about and says to all your colleagues, "hey, this isn't a good idea but I will not present a solution" wouldn't you bite her head off?

And as for the sexist card... it's so ridiculous. Let's just say that Nenshi meant it in a derogatory manner. So what? Cry about it like she did then tell mommy and daddy? This probably belongs in the gear grinder thread, but one of things that's driving me nuts these days are people taking the stance of, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words... I'm telling on you."

So freaking weak. Someone called you a woman who's bad at math? Take the high road by ignoring him thus giving zero credence to his opinion, call him out on more issues thus creating more public doubt, call him a fat man with an ego complex (not recommended)... do anything but be a snitch. My god, didn't you have parents to teach you these things?

[monkeyman]

Why doesn't the city raise minimum wage and impose their own carbon tax. Isn't that supposed to spur growth in the economy? And what about all those tourists dollars that are rolling in because of the peace bridge? If we built a second one, twice as many tourists... i think ill run for office.
Seriously though, Nenshi really is becoming unbearable.

[La Flames Fan]

She sure likes to get up in arms about things...great political theatre.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Following the math to the letter doesn't necessarily make for good governance or economics for that matter. It's going to potentially cause a further feedback loop that means further vacancies and now you'll not only have failed downtown business but failed businesses all over the city and more people out of work or drowned in debt. I know a lot of small business is not going to weather the combination of increased taxes and increased wages very well.

How about government do its job to support and revitalize the economy rather than put further pressure on it because they are stubbornly sticking to line items on their budgets. Maybe they could think about slashing their budgets and not being wasteful. I've worked for civic agencies and the waste is astronomical. Every agency or group keeps spending to the limit every year to ensure they get the same budget + more back the next. My friend worked for one where they would throw out all their equipment every year and just order new stuff in order to max out their budgetary spending.

THis affects property owners more than businesses. Although businesses who own property will be affected.

Business who are currently under lease will not be affected by the pass through costs. Businesses whose leases are up will be getting rent discounts far greater than property tax increases due to the market vacancies.

Land owners without current leases will take the brunt of the hit here as land values have gone down, vacancies are up, rents are down and taxes are up.

From a tax and spending perspective I think we should have fixed rate 3% plus pop growth baked into the budget. Then every fifth year is a 3% budget cut to the city budget. The budget cutting phase being used to force departments to justify their spending

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I don't believe you can just amend that law. Municipalities not being able to run deficits is in the core fabric of the Canadian system.

Of course you can just amend the law. The problem is that the City of Calgary does not have the power to amend provincial law, which the Municipal Government Act is.

...not that we want to allow ourselves to get into big trouble by allowing municipalities to run deficits and debt.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

"not allowed to do this", "not allowed to do that" Well, government can do it's job and amend those laws if it's going to further negatively harm the economy and economic investment. This is what causes recessions.

Yup, and I believe the Mayor would be the first person to agree with you. He's been complaining about the limitations imposed on cities since he was elected.

The problem is that the city doesn't control these laws and the governments that do control those laws don't have any motivation to change them.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Of course you can just amend the law. The problem is that the City of Calgary does not have the power to amend provincial law, which the Municipal Government Act is.

...not that we want to allow ourselves to get into big trouble by allowing municipalities to run deficits and debt.

Yeah, allowing Municipalities to go into debt is a bad idea in my opinion.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Well, there goes the previously vaguely positive light in which I held Michelle Rempel.

I mean, Nenshi's snark was pretty much an exhibit of his worst qualities as a politician, but this is bull#### political theatre on her part and the insincerity of it is galling.

[CaptainCrunch]

I think at this point the only level that should have taxation rights is the Federal government and they should just tax everyone 100% and provide all services, everyone gets the same housing number of rooms based on how single married and how many kids. Single people get a barracks type of home where you have a shoebox and a locker to house your two pairs of government issued coveralls and boots.

All food is taken care of in a nutritionally perfect blend oatmeal and on Sundays meat

The government then distributes funds to the municipalities and provinces who spend it where they will based on the local party apparatus

Once a year the government issues us a spending allowance of $100.00 that we can spend in the local GUM department store.

All entertainment will be carefully monitored, the only advertisement will be government advertisement. You will have the choice of watching 3cBC or the work schedule network.

Doctors can get paid more then truck drivers under this model, but it won't matter because the government will tax it all.

Of course every 4 years there will be an election at the municipal and provincial election with a full slate of candidates. At the federal level there will be an election of candidates, however the head of the party will pick the actual main leaders and approve or dissaprove the election results by the people.

See its perfect, we have wealth distribution, we no longer have fashion or body issues. We don't have to worry about housing and food, and at the end of the year everyone gets a shiny $100.00 bill

And the best part, our carbon will go through the floor as the only vehicles on the road are government vehicles and limo's for the leadership class because they work so hard.

[automaton 3]

Thumbs down to Rempel.

Nenshi was being snarky, but those comments are not sexist.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by GGG

THis affects property owners more than businesses. Although businesses who own property will be affected.

Business who are currently under lease will not be affected by the pass through costs. Businesses whose leases are up will be getting rent discounts far greater than property tax increases due to the market vacancies.

Land owners without current leases will take the brunt of the hit here as land values have gone down, vacancies are up, rents are down and taxes are up.

From a tax and spending perspective I think we should have fixed rate 3% plus pop growth baked into the budget. Then every fifth year is a 3% budget cut to the city budget. The budget cutting phase being used to force departments to justify their spending

In my experience, the landlords adjust op costs on a yearly basis and often use "property tax increases" as a primary reason to tack on extra dollars per square foot on the operating costs which can be adjusted every year as opposed to lease rates which are fixed for the term because they are bundled as management/upkeep fees.