As New Brunswick’s Election 2018 begins, four of New Brunswick’s five political parties shared their positions on key issues for municipalities, including property taxes, regionalization/amalgamation, and new revenue streams.
The August 20 event was held by the City of Saint John to address City-specific concerns. The positions shared have implications for all municipalities.
UMNB has pushed for new revenue streams for municipalities, including a fair share of the excise tax on legalized cannabis and a hotel levy to support local tourism, and to change the provincial-municipal fiscal arrangement. UMNB’s membership includes municipalities of all sizes.
Videos of the party speeches:
Liberals: https://vimeopro.com/user11239455/city-of-saint-john-1/video/285926035
Progressive Conservatives: https://vimeopro.com/user11239455/city-of-saint-john-1/video/285928686
NDP: https://vimeopro.com/user11239455/city-of-saint-john-1/video/285924575
Green: https://vimeopro.com/user11239455/city-of-saint-john-1/video/285927179
Party positions on fair taxation:
Liberals: Willing to review the balance of taxation & powers between provincial/municipal governments, but do not support eliminating the provincial property tax.
PC: Committed to significant municipal tax reform, including removing the double tax on commercial properties.
NDP: Would set up a task force and hold public hearings to discuss reforms of the property tax system. Supports “fair and reasonable” reforms and new revenue streams.
Green: Supports property tax reform and new revenue sources. Advocating a public inquiry into public finances, including the fairness of the tax system.
Party positions on regionalization/amalgamation:
Liberals: Will explore best practices and promote better regional cooperation, but will not impose amalgamation.
PC: Will support and facilitate regionalization of any services with willing partners.
NDP: Willing to investigate the need for amalgamation.
Green: Supports a Metropolitan Service Commission.
Read the Telegraph Journal article: https://www.telegraphjournal.com/telegraph-journal/story/100691117/saint-john-saint-john-common-council-provincial-election-new-brunswick