I had to chortle when I read the article in The Citizen on Friday, Dec. 11 about the cost of DNA testing being downloaded on the city. The statement from UBCM president Al Richmond, in a letter to Justice Minister Suzanne Anton, was especially interesting to say the least.
"The province has committed itself to a funding approach without any knowledge of the ability of local governments to pay (for) these services," he wrote. "Not only does this create additional pressure on local finances, the decision flies in the face of 'One Taxpayer' principle so often invoked by the provincial government."
I would say that taxing people without knowledge of their ability to pay has been a mainstay of municipalities for quite some time. In fact I could go so far as to say they have no clue about the ability of people to pay their taxes, as most (if not all) of their time is spent on putting in tax increases to cover their budgets, and to pay the wages and benefits of municipal managers, staff and workers.
In Prince George, as an example, we have had increases in taxes most years for the last ten years or so. In addition we have had huge increases in our utility bills. Approximately $466 in 2006 to $1,128.52 in 2015, with further increases slated for 2016. Once we begin to take other government taxes, such as federal and provincial income taxes, GST, carbon tax, gas taxes and then branch out and look at increases in medical premiums, ICBC, BC Hydro, BC Ferries, Airport Authority, we begin to see how the various levels of government and government entities increase taxes and service charges without any consideration whatsoever as to the ability of those being taxed being able to pay these increases.
So, this is the crux of the problem.
When we have government entities with the authority to raise the cost of services with little or no control by the government (who is usually the only shareholder in these entities), then we have for all intents and purposes taxation without representation.
We have little recourse to the entity raising the cost of service, and of course little recourse to the government for their increases.
The situation is further exacerbated by how these increases are applied and the time and effort that is required to find out just what is going on. Money from some of the entities is then transferred to the provincial government's general revenue account.So in effect we also have hidden taxes.
So as things stand today, the citizens of B.C. face a very serious situation in regards to taxation increases and the effect that it has on their ability to pay. The next question of course, is who is going to take the lead and try and put an end to this madness?
We have elected representatives and highly paid management staff in every level of government, municipal, provincial and federal, who could, if they chose, start to make a difference and tackle this problem. Will they? If past performance is any indication I would have to say no.
At the end of the day the pressure to change the system will have to come from those who are being taxed.A Robin Hood of the taxed against the sheriff's of taxation, if you will.
As for the DNA download charges. I think it goes without saying that these charges should be paid for by the federal government with the cost spread over the entire population.
However, the most likely scenario is that it will end up on our tax bill.
