Red Deer
Chamber of Commerce battling city council’s massive proposed tax increase
News release from the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce
The Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce has reviewed the proposed 2024 City Operating and Capital Budgets and have concluded that the City’s growth in expenditures is unsustainable that will have significant impacts on the Business Community in these times of slow economic growth and elevated costs related to labour and persistent supply chain issues.
The Chamber would like to commend The City of Red Deer for its efforts to provide transparency and accountability with the 2024 Amended Operating & Capital Budget Report released on January 8, 2024. The information provided gives a solid overview of the current operations of the organization. The Chamber was provided an opportunity for direct consultation with the City on this budget and the opportunity to provide our views before final council deliberations is welcomed and appreciated.
“We are glad to provide feedback from our members on behalf of Red Deer’s business community through our consultation on the City’s amended 2024 budget,” says Chamber CEO Scott Robinson. “Our response to the City centers on the need for smart financial decision-making and recognition of the impact of the continued tax burden in the current economic environment. We are asking the City to assess overall spending and the resultant substantial tax increases that are significantly above the rate of inflation. The City needs to look for opportunities to decrease costs and to determine priority areas for spending. Passing on the costs for unchecked growth of the City’s budget to businesses is simply not sustainable”.
The proposal of $488.3 M in operating and $117.3 M in capital for 2024 includes options for a 6.15%, 8.55%, and 13.86% tax rate increase. These options represent an increase in overall spending from the 2023 approved budget of 9.5% ($31 M) and do not include any reductions to service levels or projects.
“After review of the report, the City intends to increase spending substantially without providing any review or consideration for a reduction in services or outsourcing to reduce costs,” remarked Robinson. “While it is important to acknowledge the impact of inflation, higher costs, and reductions in grants from other levels of government, these circumstances should trigger the City to look at cost reduction opportunities not just tax and/or fee increases. We expect the City to complete a prioritization of services and in turn make changes to operations that will decrease expenses. We need to keep the cost of doing business competitive and protect our local economy. Tax rate increases at this level will certainly have negative consequences for business, but our real concern is a lack of planning for change.”
The following recommendations were included in the Chamber’s response to the City:
- Minimize Tax Rates – Tax increases should remain in line with inflation.
- Review User Pay Revenue – Review the rates of fees and fines to ensure that fees are in line with the fixed cost increases of services and facilities.
- Prioritize City Services and Outsourced Service Delivery – Engage an external consultant to analyze core City services and identify opportunities for outsourcing and/or private sector delivery.
- Create Opportunities for Flexibility – Consider delay or reductions to the scope of activities to future years.
- Economic Growth for the City – Re-evaluate Economic Development Activities.
“We look forward to working with City Council and administration in identifying opportunities for sustainable City operations in the coming years and to ensure that Red Deer is a community with the infrastructure and services that position Red Deer competitively as a vibrant business community”. CEO Scott Robinson
2019 Canada Winter Games
Red Deer’s Lyn Radford joins new Chair Catriona Le May Doan on Canada Games Council
News release from the Canada Games Council
Hall of Fame Athlete Elected Chair of Canada Games Council Board of Directors
The Canada Games Council (CGC) is thrilled to announce the election of Canadian sport legend Catriona Le May Doan as Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. Joining Le May Doan in officer positions are Vice-Chair Sean O’Donnell, Treasurer Sheri Somerville and Secretary Lyn Radford.
“I am very excited and honoured to be taking on the role of Chair of the Canada Games Council,” said Le May Doan. “I have been a part of the Canada Games Movement for almost 42 years. The Canada Games were my first multi-sport Games and had a huge impact on my career and I continue to believe in and witness the power of the Canada Games in building sport in our country, but also strengthening our communities.”
A three-time Olympic medallist and icon in Canadian speed skating, Le May Doan is a true champion on and off the field of play. She is a tireless ambassador for the transformational power of sport and a distinguished member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canada Games Hall of Honour.
A Canada Games alum in both speed skating and athletics for Team Saskatchewan, Le May Doan is currently the President and CEO of Sport Calgary. She recently served as Team Canada’s Chef de Mission at the Olympic Winter Games in 2022.
A longtime CGC board member, Le May Doan takes over the reins from outgoing Chair Evan Johnston, who is stepping down after 10 years on the board as he takes on the new role as President and CEO of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company in January.
“On behalf of the entire Canada Games family, I’d like to thank Evan for his decade of volunteer service to the Canada Games Movement and his invaluable guidance and mentorship to our CGC Board and staff as Chair of the Canada Games Council,” said Kelly-Ann Paul, CGC President and CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome Catriona at the helm and know her strategic leadership will continue to solidify the foundation of our organization so that the Canada Games strengthen the fabric of our nation from coast to coast to coast.”
“I hope to continue the great work that Evan has done and I thank him for his leadership,” said Le May Doan. “I am looking forward to working with the incredible CGC team and our network of partners for the upcoming Games in St. John’s next summer, and then in Quebec City in 2027, where we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Games. Together, we will continue to spark greatness in Canadians through the Canada Games.”
Those filling the remaining officer positions have all been on the CGC Board since 2022.
O’Donnell brings extensive executive experience in the federal public service and the Canadian sport system to the Vice-Chair role. Somerville is a business executive, entrepreneur, and award-winning PR consultant, all of which will serve her well as Treasurer. Radford brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in revenue generation for non-profit and sport organizations, as well as a Host Society leadership lens, to the role of Secretary.
The next Canada Summer Games take place from August 8-25, 2025 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, while the next Canada Winter Games will unfold in Quebec City from February 27 to March 14, 2027.
About the Canada Games Council
The Canada Games Council, a private, non-profit organization, is the governing body for the Canada Games. Held once every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for up and coming Canadian athletes. The Games have been hosted in every province at least twice since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system, in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity. The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the tireless dedication of local Host Societies and the contribution and support of the federal, provincial/territorial and host municipal governments.
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