We are on this treadmill called “Downtown subsidy” and have been on it for decades. John Campbell campaigned for mayor in 1992 asking for subsidized or decreased taxes for downtown businesses.

Since then we have sponsored and subsidized events and statues, spent 10s of millions on fancy stations, fire hall, police and bus come to mind.

We spent over a 100 million relocating the public works yard. 10s of millions on road realignment, services upgrades, marketing plans and increasing policing.

There is still talk of a 27 million dollar pedestrian bridge to connect downtown to Bower Ponds and the golf course, a few hundred metres from the sidewalks on Taylor Bridge.

Now the city is contemplating more subsidies, grants and tax holidays for the downtown. Money for updating the facades of businesses downtown. The shopping centres on the south end of town is getting facelifts without my taxes. Bower mall is getting revamped without my taxes. Why should downtown have their hands out so often and expecting returns?

I have shrubs growing in 20+ year old cracks in the sidewalk in front of my house, trees trying to grow in the cracks in the road in front of my house, but I am expected to subsidize upgrading the fronts of businesses downtown.

If I spend money updating my house the city increases my taxes, but I am expected to subsidize the upgrading of downtown buildings, so that the landlords can increase the rents?

Perhaps it is time to get off this treadmill. Perhaps a smaller downtown is in order?

Some down on council, think the downtown is the priority of council but I believe it is the citizens who are the priority and if the majority of citizens do not go downtown, why should they subsidize entertainment, and upgrades for the few that do?

Every neighbourhood is feeling increased crime, homelessness, depreciation and degrading facilities.

I am just asking because I see more grants, subsidies and tax holidays for the downtown, coming up very soon. When will it end?

Not anytime soon, I’m afraid.

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