08-30-2016, 03:35 PM
What level should the community-based fees or taxes be done? Should I pay less taxes because I don't have a swimming pool nearby? More taxes because I am close to Victoria Park? Less taxes because there is little on-street parking downtown? Or are you saying this should be done only at the "township" level, so Heidelberg, St Jacobs, Elmira and Breslau should all be treated the same? If so, why should they be?
And while there is limited transit service to the townships, many things are likely more expensive, per resident, in the townships: regional road construction/maintenance, snow removal, garbage collection, etc. This is simply because there are relatively few residents spread out over a far greater area. But these costs are covered by the region and charged equally across the cities and townships.
The same applies with the provincial and federal governments. All provide services that may benefit one region more than another, or cost more to deliver in one region than another, but the tax rates are generally uniform within that level of government. And I don't think we should have it any other way.
And while there is limited transit service to the townships, many things are likely more expensive, per resident, in the townships: regional road construction/maintenance, snow removal, garbage collection, etc. This is simply because there are relatively few residents spread out over a far greater area. But these costs are covered by the region and charged equally across the cities and townships.
The same applies with the provincial and federal governments. All provide services that may benefit one region more than another, or cost more to deliver in one region than another, but the tax rates are generally uniform within that level of government. And I don't think we should have it any other way.